What is required to examine the content of a hotel room legally?

A search warrant is necessary to legally examine the contents of a hotel room because it upholds the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. Law enforcement must provide probable cause to a judge to obtain a search warrant, ensuring that there is valid reason to believe that evidence of a crime may be found in the location specified.

Examining a hotel room without a warrant can violate the guest's right to privacy and the integrity of their accommodations. Although there may be situations where consent is given by guests or hotel management, relying solely on these could lead to legal issues if it is later challenged. A personal invitation from the hotel owner or having a police officer present does not inherently grant lawful access to a guest's room without the proper legal documentation provided by a search warrant.