Could sleep paralysis explain a scary hotel-room experience?

A shadowy presence can happen during sleep paralysis. The experience can feel completely real, especially around waking or falling asleep, but it doesn’t by itself show that anything supernatural was in the room. If it happens again, note whether it was right around sleep and whether you could move.

If episodes recur, or strange perceptions happen while fully awake too, talking with a health professional would be a sensible next step.

I’d separate the events instead of treating them as one explanation. The figure and the feeling of being touched may have been part of the sleep-paralysis episode. A cabinet noise has ordinary possibilities too, so check whether the door or latch is loose and let hotel staff know if it keeps happening.

That sounds frightening, and you don’t have to settle on a paranormal explanation to take the fear seriously. Turn on the lights, call someone you trust, and ask staff to check the room if you feel unsafe. Getting some rest somewhere you feel more comfortable is reasonable, even if the cause remains uncertain.