I am highly skeptical people were "locked" in their rooms. I'm guessing it was mostly hyperventilating tourists breathlessly telling the reporter how they were

I am highly skeptical people were "locked" in their rooms. I'm guessing it was mostly hyperventilating tourists breathlessly telling the reporter how they were "locked in" their rooms since they couldn't leave and get back in. More like "Bob and I were locked in our room overnight! We couldn't even go downstairs for a nightcap!" vs. "Bob and I were pounding on the door trying to get out for hours!". Locked in on their own volition, essentially. I've traveled a little bit, and I've yet to stay in a hotel that you needed anything electronic to exit.