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Comment by Shank | Hacker News Reader

Rather than a doorstop, I usually prefer a super grip lock [0] -- an extremely corny as-seen-on-TV product that you can lash around a door knob that uses simple physics to make the door impossible to open with the key on the other side. Naomi Wu mentioned this and Deviant Ollam has too. The basic premise is that it's less destructive than most "security door stops" and hotels tend to get angry if you destroy their carpet. And of course, traditional door stops don't keep the door closed very well unless you wedge them well.

[0]: https://smile.amazon.com/Super-Grip-Lock-Deadbolt-Accessory/...

Edit: I could be misremembering if Naomi Wu used it or something similar, but I think I'm right. If you know correctly, let me know.

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Seems like it requires an extremely particular design of door handles that I’ve never actually seen in a hotel.

Yeah, most hotels I've been in used electronic locks with no moving parts you can hook that to. Just a card reader on the hallway and a door knob inside. Door knob works as the additional lock (upward position in a European style knob) most often.

I would still use a door stop - a rubber one doesn't weight much. But I would just carry one - with my luck the other door would be a slide door or open outside.

It looks to me like this device is preventing the deadbolt knob from turning, not the doorknob. It's only using the door knob shaft for support.

Yeah, globe shaped doorknobs are on their way out in general because they’re less accessible for people with disabilities/weak grip.

Globes are better for keeping intelligent cars/dogs/children where you want them though.

Seeing the picture of that lock reminded me how uniform were the door locks and light switches in the US. In Europe there are countless different types of door locks and light switches but basically everywhere I went to in the US it was the same door locks and light switches. I take it if you travel internationally a doorstop would work everywhere.

There are building codes that were implemented before most buildings in the US were built for stuff like that. There are variances in like, knob vs lever handle, but yea they mostly work the same and are in the same spot.

IMHO a smart thing if there's an emergency and you're staying someplace unfamiliar...

Most hotel doors will have (re-)closer mechanisms on their doors, and you can fashion a belt around them in an emergency:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xlhbiSvVKnE

That one won't work in most of the hotels I've been in; the internal handle doesn't even move when opening, either a latch inside the door or in the doorframe is unlocked. A physical wedge is probably the best universal solution.

I don't remember when I've been to a hotel without an RFID card door.

Cards you slide or insert were very routine until just a few years ago. Though, aside from AirBnBs or small developing world places, keys have been pretty uncommon for a while.

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