When Staying Alone in a Hotel: Place Two Cups on the Door Handle – A Small Action with Big Benefits

 

When Staying Alone in a Hotel: Place Two Cups on the Door Handle – A Small Action with Big Benefits

Traveling alone can be empowering—but it also means being extra mindful of your personal safety, especially in unfamiliar places like hotels. One surprisingly simple trick has been shared by seasoned travelers and hotel staff alike: placing two cups on the door handle before going to sleep.

It may sound odd at first, but this small action can offer big peace-of-mind benefits.

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How the Two-Cup Trick Works

Before going to bed, place two empty cups or glasses on the inside door handle:

• One cup balanced on top of the other

• Or one cup hung on the handle and another resting inside it

The setup is intentionally unstable.

If someone tries to open the door, the cups will fall and make a loud noise, instantly alerting you.

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Why This Simple Trick Is Effective

1. Early Warning System
   The sound of cups crashing is sharp and unmistakable, even for deep sleepers.

2. Deterrent Effect
   Intruders often rely on silence. Noise increases the chance they’ll flee immediately.

3. No Special Tools Needed
   Hotel rooms already provide cups or glasses, making this trick easy and free.

4. Psychological Comfort
   Knowing there’s an extra layer of alert can help you sleep more soundly when alone.

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When This Trick Is Most Useful

• Staying alone in a hotel or motel

• Sleeping in ground-floor rooms

• Traveling in unfamiliar cities

• Budget accommodations with minimal security features

It’s especially helpful if your room door doesn’t have a deadbolt or chain lock.

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Important Safety Notes

• This trick is not a replacement for locking the door properly

• Always use all built-in locks provided by the hotel

• Place cups carefully to avoid them falling accidentally

Think of it as a backup alert, not your primary defense.

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Additional Smart Hotel Safety Tips

• Use the deadbolt and door chain

• Keep the “Do Not Disturb” sign visible

• Avoid sharing room numbers publicly

• Check that connecting doors are locked

• Keep emergency numbers handy

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The Bottom Line

Placing two cups on your hotel door handle is a small, simple habit that can provide an extra layer of awareness and reassurance when staying alone. It costs nothing, takes seconds, and may give you the precious benefit of peace of mind—especially at night.

Sometimes, the best safety measures are the simplest ones.