When spending travel time in a hotel, you should enjoy your stay without any worries. There are a few simple rules to insure that everything goes as planned:

1. When first arriving in your room, get familiar with emergency number(s) you can call on the room's phone or your own smartphone. If a safety or health problem happens, assure yourself of prompt response.

2. When inside the room, make sure every locking device on doors is in place at all times. If there's a balcony, be sure the door is locked when you return inside.

3. Remember the old buddy system at summer camp? Apply it when at a hotel. Seniors, especially those with special needs, shouldn’t wander alone, including hallways, beaches, swimming pools and shopping areas outside the hotel grounds.

We suggest: Las  Vegas NV, Tucson AZ, Philadelphia PA, Los Angeles CA and Atlanta GA. Of course, choosing them is very much a matter of personal opinion. Sometimes, senior travelers may decide to forego the big cities and choose a quaint little mountain town where nothing much happens, and whatever does happen, doesn’t cost a lot.

They love the comfy little B&B that charges $35 a night, including breakfast. And the little family restaurant is famous for its five-course dinner for only $5.99 a person. For recreation, there’s boating on the lake for $2 an hour, and free scenic biking and hiking trails all around.

Other travelers prefer big cities with their posh hotels, bright lights, upscale restaurants, top-rate entertainment and exciting places to see. Of course, if they choose big cities, they must be prepared to pay big prices. Right?

You sit there fuming. Somewhere out on your expected flight it’s snowing hard, and chances are you’ll be stuck for hours until they can dig out. Try to pass the time by keeping busy and/or just plain snoozing. All you need is some handy stuff with you.

1. Stay in touch with updated airport schedules and the rest of the world. Your smartphone is your connection with what’s happening. Make sure it’s always fully charged and on.

2. Your smartphone, tablet or laptop allows you to do business work, play games, write, email, research, study, watch TV, listen to music and get the latest news. You can also see a movie and do almost anything else to help pass the dragging time.

We’re sure 99.99% of airport security people are totally honest. Wish we could say the same about politicians. However, airport thefts do happen. A recent news item told of an arrest at Newark Airport of a security guard. He’s suspected of regularly swiping valuables from bags going through the x-ray, moving belt and bag search areas.

To avoid theft when in airport security, just follow some simple rules:

1. Know thoroughly what can be taken through security and what is banned or must be checked. Do not attempt to take forbidden items.