I booked the cheapest “airport hotel” after three months backpacking India. Booking.com didn’t mention the part where it was a brothel.

Taxi drivers aren’t famous for fussing, so when mine cut the engine, stepped out, and walked me inside, I knew something was off- flickering neon, paan-red spatters on the curb, a mildewed sign missing half its bulbs, diesel haze.

He murmured to the man at reception. Whatever he said didn’t land. The driver looked at me. “You sure about this?”

To a hostel-hardened backpacker, a hotel with bellboys and a front desk felt like a step up. I said yes and was shown to my room.

Inside was a window, but it didn’t face outside. It stared into another room, the blinds on their side. Darkness pooled beyond it. How many eyes? A camera? Who could see me?

The “hotel” room had lipstick stains on the pillowcases and small brown hairs webbed across the sheets. I weighed my options: barricade the door or brave the dark street.

I stayed. Clothes on. T-shirt over the pillow. Sleep on my travel towel.

At 2 a.m. the soundtrack confirmed everything: women laughing and then moaning, men shouting, doors slamming, heels clicking, a phone trilling. Pride and sunk-cost whispered, you’re fine.

I survived. But I didn’t deserve to feel that vulnerable. And I learned something I wish I’d learned sooner: Endurance is not a personality trait. When the vibe screams no, you walk.

Learn from my mistakes

Safety tips without the fear mongering, written by our team of solo female travelers.

How to Avoid a Solo Female Travel Disaster

Think solo travel is all sunsets and cocktails? Not quite. Here’s how to prep so you don’t end up in a ‘how-did-I-end-up-in-a-brothel’ moment.

Read it here. →

Stay Safe in Taxis and Ride Shares as a Woman Traveling Alone

You don’t have to be paranoid to be prepared. Here’s how to get from A to B without starring in a true-crime podcast.

Read it here. →

How to Handle Unwanted Attention, Catcalls, and Creeps

Because nothing ruins a perfect street-market sunset like weird stares and rude comments. This guide hands you the safety sunglasses.

Read it here. →