A woman has slammed Travelodge for "failing" her after hotel staff handed her room key to a man who sexually assaulted her in her bed, leading to his jailing for seven-and-a-half years. The victim, now in her 30s and unnamed for legal reasons, woke in horror to Kyran Smith attacking her at the Maidenhead branch in December 2022.

The pair had attended the same party earlier that night, but she retired alone to her room around 2am—her first solo hotel stay. Smith, 29, from Staines, lied to reception staff, claiming to be her boyfriend, and obtained a duplicate key card. He slipped into her locked room and assaulted her as she slept. He fled after dressing, returning the key before retreating to his own room.

The victim told the BBC: "I feel like they failed me. It makes me more frustrated that they haven't said 'OK yes we did this wrong'. Instead they've put the blame aside."

She blasted the hotel's security lapses, insisting staff should never have granted access without verification. She said: "If I checked-in on my own and the room booking is just for me why would you think it's OK to let someone in in the middle of the night while I'm asleep?

"At least wake me up or phone the room or come up to the room. Anything is better than just giving someone a key card."

The woman disputed Travelodge's claim that Smith passed security checks by providing her name and showing text messages.

She said: "The only thing he would know about me was my name. They said he was able to show them text messages, but I didn't have his phone number and he didn't have mine."

She recalled her confusion upon waking: "I double-checked I locked the door. I couldn't work out how he was in my room because I did everything that I would deem to be correct when you stay in a hotel."

The next morning, she reported the assault to staff and acquaintances. Smith was arrested and, after a four-day trial at Reading Crown Court in November 2025, convicted of sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

He was sentenced to seven years and six months on 23 January 2026.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Arshid Ali said: "I welcome the sentencing which reflects the seriousness of the offence and the dangerous nature of the defendant. Thames Valley Police treat all sexual offences with the utmost seriousness, particularly those committed against women."

Travelodge offered the victim a £30 refund, which she branded "very insulting—it would have been better if they hadn't offered it." The chain admitted the offer was "inappropriate" but insisted staff followed procedures correctly. In a statement, it said: "The safety and security of our guests is our priority... At the time of the incident our hotel team followed the correct security procedures."

The victim urged Travelodge to overhaul policies to prevent similar nightmares. Thames Valley Police encouraged victims to report offences on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Express.co.uk has contacted Travelodge for comment.