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This article presents the results of an exploratory investigation into the role of the security manager in the UK hotel industry, an area of management that has been under‐researched. In addition, this paper provides qualitative evidence about the range of crime experienced by hotels, and how this crime is managed. The paper utilises information from in‐depth interviews with five specialised security managers representing large hotels in London and 65 owners and managers of small hotels in London, Salisbury, Leicester and Brighton, UK. The findings indicate that the role of the security manager, at least in these hotels, is perceived to have undergone a process of transformation. Traditional security responsibilities of guarding and loss prevention have been broadened to include health and safety, IT security, disciplinary action, fire safety and insurance. Hotels are also shown to be unique contexts, facing a broad range of crime problems.