And as it appears he has large experience in doing exactly these things, whereas the maid had zero experience of fighting such attacks off, and no expectation that it would be necessary inside the hotel.
A man doesn't need a knife or a gun to control a weaker woman. Hands alone can inflict an unacceptable damage, and the rapist had plenty of time to practice. A woman usually won't fight to the death - nearly a certainty if she has children at home, and the maid does have children that need her. So she couldn't risk her life even if she had time and presence of mind to plan her actions.
Then why did she fight him off as reported in this story?