I’m a solo female traveller — there’s one travel trend I’ll never support

They may be the hottest new trend, but travel writer Lydia Swinscoe is not a fan of ‘no key’ hotels (Picture: Cecile Treal)

‘Global home’. ‘No key concept’. ‘Living philosophy’.

These phrases are being bandied about the travel industry of late, almost always in tandem with ultra-luxury hotels trying hard to align with a certain crowd.

I’m not one for trends at the best of times, but as a travel writer who mostly goes it solo, the one I dislike the most is the rise of the ‘no key’ policy.

The idea, which almost certainly works better in extremely intimate hotels, places with just three or four bedrooms, is now being used across much larger spaces.

Places like Marrakech’s El Fenn, with its 40-plus rooms across eight interconnected riads, and Antigua’s Jumby Bay Island, a five-star hotel that reportedly operates on a similar principle.

Designed to evoke a feeling of staying in an upscale private home, the choice to scrap keys feels a bit pseudo-bohemian. But as a solo female traveller, it also makes me uneasy.

My concern is not with the staff; they will come and go with keys like any other hotel.

It’s with fellow guests and, in the case of El Fenn, which has a restaurant open to non-guests, the random people who could wander in and out from the street.

When I’m out exploring a new city, I can’t fully enjoy myself knowing that my laptop, passport, sentimental jewellery, and assorted valuables are sitting in an unlocked room, because, as a solo traveller, the stakes feel even higher.

If my wallet or passport were stolen, I’d be left to deal with the consequences alone, without a travel companion to help navigate the situation.

Since many hospitality trends are conceived from an aspirational perspective, I’m sure hotel owners and managers spend much time pondering how a hotel can feel more relaxed, more effortless, more like staying with friends.

But solo female travellers like me approach accommodation from a more practical point of view.

Lydia Swinscoe is a travel writer and seasoned solo traveller (Picture: Lydia Swinscoe)

We’re always thinking about who can access our room, whether spaces are safe after dark, and whether reception is staffed overnight.

Those considerations don’t disappear simply because a property has Insta-worthy interiors or a nightly cost that suggests exclusivity.

Of course, many of these places have a safe-box in the bedroom (though oftentimes it’s not big enough to house a laptop).

But when I’m away, I don’t want to be going in and out of a safe.

I like to leave my jewellery in the bathroom for when I’m getting ready, and my laptop on the desk in case I need to work on an article or jot down some notes.

I understand that some hotels are aiming to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere.

But I struggle to see why that should come at the expense of basic security.

A welcoming environment and secure accommodation aren’t mutually exclusive, and leaving rooms unlocked simply creates unnecessary risk.

In fact, I’d argue that room keys are one of the most underrated parts of the hotel experience.

The best hotels understand that security and atmosphere don’t have to be at odds with one another.

Whether it’s a traditional brass key, a beautifully crafted fob or even a discreet wooden key card, the object itself serves as a reassurance.

It shows guests that this space is theirs, and theirs alone, for the duration of their stay.

In an era where so many hotels seem intent on reinventing every aspect of hospitality, I’m not convinced this one needs fixing.

Katherine Atkinson, CEO of Safer Tourism Foundation agrees.

‘There’s a rising trend in travellers seeking out authentic and unique accommodation options, but when it comes to security, especially for women, safety has to come first,’ she tells Metro.

‘Being able to lock the door is fundamental in keeping yourself – and your things – safe.’

Hospitality is full of trends that come and go, but some conventions exist for a reason.

Room keys may not typically be glamorous or ‘disruptive’, but they’ve survived for decades because they solve a problem.

Sometimes the most luxurious thing a hotel can offer isn’t a philosophy or a concept. It’s peace of mind.

So please, just let me have a key.

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