Hotel Security Services in Surrey and the Lower Mainland
Written by Paul Thandi, Operations Manager, On Guard Security Ltd. — 10+ years in BC security · Updated September 2026
A hotel sells rest and comfort, and security has to protect both without getting in the way. Guests should notice our officers only when they need help. Night staff should never have to deal with a difficult situation on their own. On Guard Security Ltd. provides hotel security services to hotels and motels across Surrey and the Lower Mainland, with a plan built around each property. This page covers what hotel security does, how a night shift works, what BC law expects when a guest causes a disturbance, and how to size the coverage.
Key takeaways
Good hotel security feels like part of guest services, with a calm, polite and discreet manner.
Overnight is when hotel security matters most, because the front desk usually has the fewest staff.
BC’s Hotel Keepers Act sets out how a noisy or disruptive person is asked to stop and then to leave, and when police must make the request.
Lobbies, parkades, pools and event spaces each need their own place in the patrol plan.
On Guard Security Ltd. provides licensed, JIBC-trained, unarmed officers, supported 24/7 from Surrey.
Our officers become part of your team. They greet late arrivals, keep an eye on who enters the building after hours, walk the corridors, stairwells and back-of-house areas, and check the parkade and exterior. When something happens, whether it is a noise complaint, an unwelcome visitor, a medical call or a fire alarm, they respond, support the front desk and write it up.
What makes hotel work different is the tone. A bad security experience can stay with a guest longer than the room. We choose officers who are calm under pressure and polite by default, and we brief them on your brand standards, your guest-service language and your escalation rules. The aim is security that never gets in the way of the guest experience.
Key insight: The most useful thing a hotel security officer does is often to take a difficult conversation away from the front desk, so that the night auditor can keep checking guests in.
A practical way to think about hotel security is in three layers that work together:
People: officers and trained staff who watch, help and respond. This is what we provide.
Procedures: key-card control, how you verify guests before issuing keys, visitor rules, lost-and-found, incident escalation and emergency plans.
Physical measures: locks, lighting, cameras and access-controlled doors. We don’t sell these, but our officers use them and report faults, such as a propped fire door or a dead light in the parkade.
Each layer covers the gaps in the others. A camera records a problem, a procedure tells staff what to do about it, and an officer is the person who can walk over and deal with it.
Late-night noise is one of the most common hotel security calls, and BC has a specific law on it. The Hotel Keepers Act defines a disturbance as disturbing the peace of other occupants through fighting, screaming, shouting, singing or other loud noise. The innkeeper or the innkeeper’s representative must first ask the person to stop. If they don’t, or start again, the person must be asked to leave immediately. If making that request would put the innkeeper or representative at risk of harm, a peace officer has to be asked to make it.
Our officers can make those requests for you, following your written procedures, so night staff aren’t left to handle them alone. They stay polite and document every step. They do not have police powers, so when someone refuses to leave or there is a risk of violence, they call the police and keep everyone else safe until officers arrive. Our explainer on what private security guards can and can’t do covers these limits in more detail.
Key insight: Following the Act’s order of steps (ask the person to stop, then ask them to leave, then call police) protects your staff and gives you a clear record if a guest complains later.
Lobby and entrances. After the evening rush, the lobby becomes the building’s main checkpoint. An officer near the entrance discourages people from wandering in to use the washrooms, to sleep in stairwells or to try room doors.
Parkades and parking lots. Guests leave luggage and valuables in cars. Regular rounds of the parkade, the stairwells and the exterior are part of every overnight plan. Hotels with large surface lots can add our parking lot security service.
Pools, gyms and amenity floors. We check after-hours access and closing times.
Banquets, weddings and conferences. Event nights bring hundreds of non-guests into the building, often with alcohol. Under BC’s Security Services Act, door security at a liquor-licensed establishment counts as a security guard service, so the people doing it must be licensed. For guidance on numbers, see our planning guide on how many guards an event needs, or book our event security team for the night.
Hotel security is usually billed hourly for each officer. The main things that affect cost are the number of hours each night, whether you need coverage every night or only at weekends and during events, how many officers are on at once, holiday shifts, and the length of the contract. Mobile patrol visits cost less than a full shift because you pay for each visit rather than every hour. We quote after walking the property, so the plan matches the risks you actually have.
On Guard Security Ltd. is locally owned, based at 12565 88 Ave in Surrey, and has been working in BC security for more than 10 years. We serve hotels across Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. Every officer is licensed and JIBC-trained and completes a week of one-on-one training with a senior officer. We are WorkSafeBC compliant, fully insured and available 24/7. You can confirm our licence in the province’s licence status verification tool.
A common way to describe hotel security is in three layers: people, meaning officers and trained staff; procedures, such as key control, guest verification and emergency plans; and physical measures, such as locks, lighting, cameras and access control. The three work best together.
How much does private security cost in Canada?
Private security is usually billed hourly for each guard. The price depends on hours, the number of guards, night and holiday shifts, and contract length. Mobile patrol is billed per visit and costs less than a full shift. Ask for a quote based on a site visit rather than a flat rate.
What does hotel security do?
Hotel security officers watch who enters after hours, patrol corridors, stairwells and parkades, respond to noise complaints and unwelcome visitors, support the front desk, assist in medical and fire emergencies, and write incident reports, all while keeping the guest experience calm and courteous.
What are some reputable security guard companies in Surrey, BC?
Surrey has national firms and local companies such as On Guard Security Ltd., which is based in Surrey. A reputable company holds a valid BC security business licence, uses licensed guards, carries WorkSafeBC coverage and insurance, and will walk your property before it quotes.
Can hotel security remove a disruptive guest?
Under BC’s Hotel Keepers Act, a person causing a disturbance must first be asked to stop and then, if they continue, to leave immediately. A security officer can make those requests under the hotel’s procedures. If there is a risk of harm, or the person refuses, the police are called.
Do hotel security officers have to wear a uniform?
Guards providing a security guard service in BC wear a uniform marked “SECURITY” with their employer’s name. For hotels we choose a smart, understated uniform so officers are easy for guests to find without looking out of place in the lobby.
Google Review
Jack Willson
A pleasure to recommend company On Guard Security; mostly I enjoyed their quality services and effective response. They understand our security needs and able to ensure the best possible or professional services. Team members were professional, friendly experienced and highly approachable and live up to our expectations.
Google Review
James Cook
On guard security is my preferred choice when I need reliable security services. The team and professional service are unmatched. Their security guards and overall security are really dedicated. Recommend them for any security guard or private protection services!
Google Review
Patrick Parker
The reason I called on guard security is because they are local. They did not waste any time from the first phone call. I greatly appreciate the professionalism, service, and peace of mind offered by this security company.
Google Review
Thomas Chase
I was experiencing many incidences of shoplifting at my store and so I hired On Guard Security to provide professional guards. They did a fantastic job and now my business and merchandise are fully protected.
Google Review
Jon Wiltz
I was looking for a reliable and affordable security company for my clothing store and On Guard Security Ltd have done a fantastic job! I would definitely recommend them to fellow small business owners.
Google Review
Alan Cooper
I am happy with the performance of On Guard Security Staff assigned to our facilities. The guards respond quickly to needs and questions. I would definitely recommend this security company to others.
Google Review
~CrystalStarHomesLtd.
The guards were friendly and very cooperative. Excellent services with prices you can’t turn down. I had 24 hours security patrol on all sites. I would recommend OnGuard Security to anyone who’s looking for security services . Thanks so much Rajan really appreciate your services looking forward to meet again!
Google Review
~Jovan Dhillon
Very respectful staff, staff got to my site on time. Would book again
Google Review
~Aman Johal
I would highly recommend On Guard Security. We hired them for my brothers wedding and they provided great service. The staff always showed up on time.
Google Review
~Jason Powell
We used On Guard for our building while we were transitioning to our new intercom and entry system. They were always incredibly professional to deal with and the guards showed up well ahead of time and did a great job as we went through the process, which extended longer than expected. On Guard was also great at getting somebody on site the first night we needed them on very short notice. Overall, we were extremely happy with their service.
Google Review
~Balraj Malhi
Very good company to work with on gaurd ” Rajan is very proffesional and so are the guards. I would definetly reccomend On Guard security”Always Treat like a Famliy
Google Review
~kiran sohal
I hired on guard for my sisters wedding this past weekend, the guards were there 15 minutes early and made sure everything went smoothly , definitely will hire again
Google Review
~Sukh Brar
Provided an excellent service with my wedding events last week!! Very professional team of workers. Will definitely call for on guard’s services for future needs.
