By Dianne Tuttle, CTC

Smaller is smarter: you want the staff to be familiar with guests and with you. The smaller the lobby, the more noticeable the loiterers.

Aim for a well-trafficked street (neighborhood restaurants and late-night stores mean traffic, corporate offices mean darkness). Affluent residential areas tend to have more reliable transportation and fewer threatening street people.

Room numbers should be written on the key envelope, not mentioned aloud or inscribed on the key–this way, anyone finding your key won’t have access to your room.

Look for a parking lot that is well lit and secure. Find out if there’s valet parking and if it will be available when you need it. Use it, even it costs a little bit more.

Does the hotel gym have an attendant? Being alone and semi-dressed in the basement is not good for your health.

has been in the travel field over 30 years and owns Academy Cruises & Tours and Academy Travel School “In The Creamery” 570 Higuera St. #225 in San Luis Obispo.If you have a travel question send an email to: atc@itravelconsultants.com or call 805-781-2630 I’ll try and answer it in my next column.