Auburn, WA asked in Civil Rights and Municipal Law for Washington

Q: Is it illegal for a hotel manager to enter my room after she already spoke to me n waited for me to exit me hotel room.

She assumed there was drugs being smoked but that was not the case at all.

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: The legality of a hotel manager entering your room depends on several factors:

1. Hotel policies: Most hotels have policies allowing staff to enter rooms for specific reasons, which guests typically agree to when booking.

2. Reasonable suspicion: If there's a legitimate concern about illegal activities or safety issues, hotel staff may have more latitude to enter.

3. Emergency situations: Staff can usually enter without permission for emergencies.

4. Local laws: Regulations can vary by location.

In your case, if the manager suspected illegal drug use, they might argue they had reasonable cause to enter. However, entering after you had already exited and spoken with them is less justifiable.

Generally, hotels should respect guests' privacy and only enter occupied rooms with permission or for urgent reasons.

If you feel your privacy was violated, you could:

1. Speak with hotel management about the incident

2. File a complaint with the hotel chain

3. Consider seeking legal advice if you believe your rights were seriously violated

For more specific advice, you may want to consult with a local attorney familiar with hospitality laws in your area.

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