The hotels of such hotels are more apt to provide personal attention. It is also a good idea to leave the radio or TV on while you're out of the room. I know one Flight Attendant that arranges pillows under his blankets so that it looks like someone is sleeping if a maid or someone else lets themselves in the room, most likely they back out of the room immediately. Your hotel concierge can play an important role in keeping you safe. The concierge can tell you where to go and where not to go for restaurants and shopping, can make sure you get safe transportation and can tell you where secure ATMs can be found.
Some ATMs are in locales that can be dangerous, especially at night.
The odds for damage to your body, your sense of well being and your wallet skyrockets. You should never hail a cab. When leaving a restaurant, ask the manager to call a cab for you. Unless you know the country and the language, you should not drive a rental car. If you want the flexibility of having your own car available, try to hire an experienced driver who speaks English and knows the lay of the land.