How to avoid your room being robbed while traveling

[Dmitri_Markine]

I am sure we've heard that before and seen reviews about missing stuff from the rooms,etc.

I found a little trick that works.

Every time I live my room, I put the Do Not Disturb sign.

It works like a charm. Some hotels don't have these signs in each room,but ask the front desk.

If they still don't have it. Just write it yourself on a piece of paper and stick it somewhere on the door.

Leaving your TV/radio and lights on can also steer the bad guys away.

You can also leave a good tip to the housekeeping ladies on your first day(if you think they maybe the ones...).

Perhaps be there on the first day of cleaning to say hi.

If you are in a country with tough economic situation(eg. Cuba) bring some gifts for the hotel staff. There's no reason to give money as gifts can work as well.

[YoursTruly]

InteResting.. Thanks for the tips!!

[Virg]

Great tips! Thanks!

[rodent]

one of the forum photographers tested this method. he left a $1 bill on the bed as a tip for housecleaning & put up the do not disturb sign. the $1 bill was gone when he returned.

 

That is what I always did when I traveled, but then my room was never cleaned. On my last trip to mexico, I just kept everything locked in luggage within luggage.

 

We packed a bunch of snacks, because the last AI i stayed in had terrible food. Our hotel had great food, so we didn't need all the snacks. So we started leaving a piece of chocolate from the snack bag & a $1 bill for housecleaning. The hotel staff in mexico work so hard & make so little so we loved tipping the entire trip.

[bride7474]

Great tips! Last time I was in Mexico I stayed at Canto Del Sol and I had a shirt and swimsuit stolen from my room.

[Dmitri_Markine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan one of the forum photographers tested this method. he left a $1 bill on the bed as a tip for housecleaning & put up the do not disturb sign. the $1 bill was gone when he returned. That is what I always did when I traveled, but then my room was never cleaned. On my last trip to mexico, I just kept everything locked in luggage within luggage.

This is why I like to say Hi to the housekeeping lady on my first day at the hotel. I don't need the room to be cleaned every day so I tell her when to come back. Then I give her a tip(say $5) and have a small talk for a minute
Even if she's the one that steals stuff, my guess she'd less likely to do so to a person who's being that nice to her.
I also never ask my room to be cleaned a day prior to the departure. From what I hear, things usually get taken between then and the last day.
Overall, putting valuables in a locked suitcase can greatly reduce any attempts.

This all may sound a bit paranoid to some,but when you have $20K in equipment with you, it's good to have protective measures against any attempts.

[rodent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitri_Markine This is why I like to say Hi to the housekeeping lady on my first day at the hotel. I don't need the room to be cleaned every day so I tell her when to come back. Then I give her a tip(say $5) and have a small talk for a minute Even if she's the one that steals stuff, my guess she'd less likely to do so to a person who's being that nice to her. I also never ask my room to be cleaned a day prior to the departure. From what I hear, things usually get taken between then and the last day. Overall, putting valuables in a locked suitcase can greatly reduce any attempts. This all may sound a bit paranoid to some,but when you have $20K in equipment with you, it's good to have protective measures against any attempts.

I don't think it's paranoid at all. I was locking up my canon point & shoot.

The experience that photographer had with the $1 bill might have been a fluke too. I still use the do not disturb strategy at times.

[purrfected]

Great advice. Things that I would not have thought of. I ususally just use the hotel safe or lock my luggage. I usually do not tip the housekeeping staff until the last day. (I thought that was customary) I will try these tips on my next trip. Thanks guys!

[Sapphire723]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purrfected Great advice. Things that I would not have thought of. I ususally just use the hotel safe or lock my luggage. I usually do not tip the housekeeping staff until the last day. (I thought that was customary) I will try these tips on my next trip. Thanks guys!

I would suggest not using the hotel safe for anything. I've heard from many people that money/valuables were stolen from their safe, because the hotel staff has an override code for it.

[Betsy]

I always put my stuff in the safe in the room too - oops - but I know the staff can get in b/c my in-laws forgot their code and someone from the staff came and opened it for them (duh). I've never had a problem, but these tips are good.