HOTELS could be breaking data protection laws by storing personal information about guests on computer files - ranging from details about home life to whether they misbehaved during their stay.

Hoteliers across Britain this week told Times Travel that they keep files to help to improve service, but data protection regulators believe that many hotel-users would feel uncomfortable about such information being held.

The Information Commissioner's Office, which oversees the protection of personal information in Britain, believes that collecting material without guests' knowledge could be in breach of the Data Protection Act.

“That is potentially problematic,” said a spokewoman. “Guests should be told that this is being done. They should be able to say: ‘I don't want a file on me.' They should also be allowed to see any file that is kept.”

Information stored includes marital status, number of children, age, nationality, home town, pastimes and occupation. Some hotels store names of guests' overnight companions and dining companions, whether they are heavy drinkers, have been rude or polite, whether they have paid for “adult films”, and whether they have used drugs or taken part in “immoral activities” such as using prostitutes.

Less sensitive records are kept of interests such as favourite sports, films, plays, books and newspapers. Hotels use internet searches and information gleaned by staff to form files that are distributed to doormen, receptionists, waiters and chambermaids - usually with downloaded pictures.

Peter Carey, editor of Privacy and Data Protection magazine, said: “If you asked a hotel-goer whether they were happy with a file being kept, many might say: ‘You've got to be kidding, I wouldn't want that.' So the information is unlikely to be lawfully held.”

Yet employees at Jumeirah Hotels are shown guest dossiers that are pinned to noticeboards in staff areas. “We believe in a systematic approach to customer service,” said Derek Picot, Jumeirah Hotels' regional general manager for Europe.

“Doormen don't just know guests' names, they have their resumes. We Google it. We build a profile on all guests: their job, family, how many days they usually stay.” He said that “if a customer has misbehaved or done something that's immoral or illegal, like drugs, we'd store that”.

But he added that customers can request to see files under the Data Protection Act: “It is not meant to be intrusive.” Other hotel chains including Fairmont, Four Seasons, InterContinental, the Eton Collection, and Starwood keep guest histories.

A spokesman for the Dylan hotel in Dublin said: “a profile is kept on every guest”, including who corporate clients have stayed overnight with and “certain drinks they like”. The InterContinental Carlton Cannes has a database including details of favourite television channels. The Lace Market Hotel in Nottingham says that it uses Google to find images of guests.

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