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Just how safe is the hotel safe? Not as safe as you'd hope!
Every "how to" article about keeping your stuff safe in a hotel will recommend keeping valuables in a safe. And initially that may seem like the best place to store stuff. There is however a disturbing trend involving theft from the hotel safe.
Despite the thing being locked, it appears that many safes may not be as safe as you'd think. All hotels have a backdoor into the safe which is added in case the guest forgets the code, or loses the key.
Some safes may use a master key, others may have a special code to open the door. Either way, when a safe has a way for unauthorized people to get in it, you are going to run the risk of theft.
Of course, it is always going to be hard to prove who exactly stole stuff from the safe during your stay, and hotel management may not always be willing to cooperate, especially in certain countries where management may be the culprits behind the theft. Worst of all, without any evidence, your travel insurance usually won't cover these losses.
Your best option is to consider keeping valuable stuff elsewhere in the room, but you'll need a very well planned hiding place to thwart would-be thieves.
When researching this article, I came across the Milockie hotel safe lock. This device consists of a special lock and strap, and allows you to secure the safe with your own lock, preventing anyone else from gaining access.
Unfortunately, the lock costs 50 Euros, and has to be shipped from Europe, but if you regularly travel with expensive items that need to be locked away in the hotel safe, it may be a worthwhile investment.
Check out some of these weeeeeird hotels from around the world.
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
thiefhunter Feb 2nd 2009 12:43AM
I always say: if possible, travel with lockable hard-sided luggage. Mine is aluminum. In hotels, use the largest as your safe. A big suitcase is less likely to walk away than something small and hideable.
I travel a LOT. 200+ days/year, around the world.
I hunt thieves.
http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2008/10/luggage/
nzm Feb 2nd 2009 5:15AM
Bob: you're needed in Barcelona. Just had a fun 6 days there, and during our walks around the city, we spotted numerous opportunists scoping out potential prey.
webg Feb 3rd 2009 8:45AM
hide your passport under the carpet if you can pull it up, as well as cash, travelers checks, etc. Cut the mattress or box spring at the bed rails and hide things there too.
van Feb 3rd 2009 8:52AM
Thiefhunter is right. I've noticed in traveling that our "all for one, wallyworld luggage, does not cut it. It's best to get good luggage if your going to travel.
Colin Feb 3rd 2009 10:17AM
Simple solution don't travel with anything of value don't bring cash, or checks of any kind bring a credit card, also keep your passport has hidden set up your bag so you know if anyone has been through it, do not leave the suit case open its that simple, Oh and Don't cut the mattress or box aspiring like someone suggested unless you want to pay for a new one,
greg Feb 3rd 2009 12:14PM
I work Hotel Security in Las Vegas and I can say that the safes in our guest romms do not have a "backdoor" and are actually bolted down inside the dresser. Yes we do use a masterkey to access it if we have to but all key entries are recorded by computer. The maids do not have keycards to the safes, only security. The problem we have is people not shutting thier doors properly, both to the safe and to the room.
Vivi Feb 3rd 2009 12:33PM
My advice on this is leave your unforgettables at home in a safety box in your favorite bank. If you are a wealthy person, why would you want to flaunt it when travelling unless you are looking to have it stolen?
wendy Feb 3rd 2009 12:46PM
How about safes that lock with your magnetic strip card of your choice as used on Carnival Cruise Lines?
Also, I would suggest carrying your passport on your person at all times then you know where it is and who's had access to it.
Suitcase, no matter, what size can still walk out a door and then the thief has all the time in the world to get it open.
Patty Feb 3rd 2009 1:06PM
That's why I try to travel with nothing I can't replace.
Dave Feb 3rd 2009 4:27PM
I manage a hotel in Atlanta. Like greg said, our safes are also bolted down to the nightstand. There are no back doors into our safes and if the guests forget their code (which happens ALOT) then I have to drive an hour into work to use my code to unlock it for them. We've had our safes inplace for two years and haven't had ANY problems with theft.
old enough to remember Feb 3rd 2009 5:02PM
We once asked about the in-room safe at a hotel. The person at the desk said that if we really wanted our stuff to be protected, put it in their safe. (don't know if that is any better...). We don't travel with fine jewelry; that is what half-way decent fakes are for!
Terry Feb 3rd 2009 10:54PM
As a security Director for 2 large resorts I can tell you most of the time the theft is really not a theft. The staff is always to blame, but most of the time its the guest who misplaces the item. I have people who say they are missing 2 carat dimond rings worth thousands and when found in the guest bathrobe pocket its a cheap chip diamond woth $100. Is there crime in hotels? Sure but more often than not its the guest who loses and careless with their stuff. Use common sense and lock it in the safe. Thats what they are there for. DO NOT BRING YOUR $10,000 ring to a hotel and leave it in the room, do not bring $5,000 cash and leave it on the counter, and above all do not do what someone suggested and cut the mattress and put you stuff inside. You will be paying us for a new mattress.
When we catch an employee stealing and we go to the extreame and set up rooms to try and catch them from time to time, we have them arrested. We are doing our part so please if you check into a hotel lock your stuff up and leave the expensive stuff home.
Terena Feb 3rd 2009 5:06PM
Wow, the hotel staff can get into a safe if you've lost your key/code? I thought that if you forgot it that your stuff would be lost for all eternity!! This is shocking news to me! The staff can actually help you retrieve your belongings if you're idiot enough to lock yourself out of the safe? Blows my mind!!!
Allan Feb 3rd 2009 5:10PM
That " Milockie hotel safe lock." that you show looks fine EXCEPT that the combination pad lock on the device appears easy to cut with a bolt cutter in one snip.
Scott Carmichael Feb 3rd 2009 5:10PM
I agree - but by then you can actually PROVE theft. If all you have is a locked safe with missing items, no cop will let you file charges of theft.
Dirk Buis Feb 4th 2009 4:24AM
Hallo everibody
I realey belive that there is alloth of crime in the hotels
I was looking on tripadvisor and i look for money stolen safe and i found thousands of reviews about this problem
Ofcorse i happen not in all hotels but i am sure it happen alloth