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Original poster

Money stolen from hotel room

56 replies

opalescent · 31/08/2023 08:28

Currently in a lovely tui hotel in the Mediterranean. I've had some notes (sterling) stolen from my belongings in the room over the course of two days.
I am kicking myself for not using the safe, but it's a bloody faff to figure out (still haven't!) and I hadn't got round to sorting it. The money was in a wallet, which I was keeping amongst a pile of clothes in the wardrobe.

Should I do anything about this? Or is it entirely my own stupid fault for not securing valuables properly? I realise how naive this probably sounds, but I don't holiday, ever, and certainly not to such a nice hotel, and I just assumed that my property would be safe really...

The cleaners are my first thought in terms of possible culprits, purely as they have definitely been in the room alone on both days.

OP posts:
LollipopChaos · 31/08/2023 10:38

The person who said they hide things in the ceiling tile is a genius!!

On another note, has anyone found a hidden camera in their hotel room?

Original poster
opalescent · 31/08/2023 10:50

Yes 100% sure. The first time I noticed some had gone I didn't feel certain, but the follow g day it had depleted further! Two small children and a husband in the room, certain it wasn't anything to do with them

OP posts:
JuneBeWonderful · 31/08/2023 11:07

If you are in a key card style room report it to reception because I am sure management can check who has accessed the room with the key cards. At the same time work out how to use that safe. I use a key fob in a school and they can track me through the building as all doors have a fob access.

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Planesmistakenforstars · 31/08/2023 12:32

Does anyone else have access to the room? Children for example? Far more likely to be that than a cleaner imo. Especially if they have to go into a wardrobe and open your wallet to get it. And to do it twice, knowing you might have set them up. It's very risky.

eurochick · 31/08/2023 13:38

I'd report it but not expect to get the money back.

ureterr1blemuriel · 31/08/2023 14:29

Could the children have gone back to the hotel room alone to collect something & accidentally left the door open on the way back? I say that my 8yo did so a couple a weeks back in Greece. Luckily nothing was taken as we were in a quiet corridor.

Testingprof · 31/08/2023 17:04

Nolongera · 31/08/2023 09:13

Yes, but not usually by house keepers, by managers.

Show quote history

That was not the experience of a colleague earlier this year. It was one of the housekeeping team who helped them out.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 31/08/2023 17:14

Testingprof · 31/08/2023 17:04

That was not the experience of a colleague earlier this year. It was one of the housekeeping team who helped them out.

Show quote history

The housekeeper who helped them could also be a manager/head of department.

tuvamoodyson · 31/08/2023 17:18

Testingprof · 31/08/2023 08:52

Everyone saying use the safe is aware the safes can be accessed by the hotel staff, aren’t they? What do you think happens when someone leaves a safe locked?

They get the ‘maintenance man’ to come and open it, it happened to me. I wouldn’t think the safe being robbed was an everyday occurrence to be honest…

MidnightMeltdown · 31/08/2023 17:23

You should report it, but unfortunately there's probably not much they can do. You were aware that people would be going into your room and you took the risk.

I don't normally use the safe, but I would put valuables in my suitcase and lock it.

Dingdong90 · 01/09/2023 15:35

I don't agree with the responses saying it's your own fault! It's nor your fault that someone has stolen from you ! Yeah fair enough there is a safe but if you have money in a wallet in your room, and the room is locked then you would assume that noones going to steal it. I would definetly report to the hotel staff and say that money has gon missing from your room and I'd say I didn't want anyone in the room while you are out so that it doesn't happen again .

Lifeisapeach · 01/09/2023 15:37

Hmmm some strange responses here.

if it was me I would be reporting missing items to management and depending on the amount and if you can be specific about how much and when, then I would request to get police involved. There’s no way I would just accept this as ‘your own stupid fault!’

Some hotels track who access each room and when so they may very know who has been in your room.

our children managed to change our passcode on our safe without realising with our passports in our safe. A quick call to reception and the staff came and opened it. (Popular 5 star in Tenerife) so not sure why people are suggesting the safe would be any ‘safe’r :)

I always take devices and valuables about with me on holiday. And avoid cash at all times. Most places are contactless these days anyway.

good luck!

ps name and shame the resort

Riverlee · 01/09/2023 15:37

Can you claim it back on insurance?

amicissimma · 01/09/2023 15:49

I would report it. The hotel should be let know that they have a thief on the premises. You many prevent someone from suffering a really serious loss.

Any insurance I've seen always stipulates that any valuables, including money and documents, must be locked in the safe, or, if there is no safe, given to the management for safe keeping. Otherwise the insurance doesn't cover them.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 01/09/2023 15:53

Riverlee · 01/09/2023 15:37

Can you claim it back on insurance?

Most insurance won't cover you if you didn't use the safe provided.

leccybill · 01/09/2023 16:47

What country are you in?

Nolongera · 01/09/2023 17:14

I presume people who leave money in a room " hidden" are aware of the likelihood of it being stolen, else why hide it?

People who steal know where you " hide" your money, like some postmen know which letters have money in and are prepared to steal it.

Don't leave money where thieves can get at it.

JST88 · 01/09/2023 17:28

I’d definitely inform the hotel as it could help them identify a possible thief within their establishment, I’m also of the opinion that you should be able to rely on the fact that you won’t be stolen from but we don’t live in that sort of world I guess. You’ll almost certainly not be compensated as they have provided a safe and I guess that’s why. Crap tho!

MadridMadridMadrid · 01/09/2023 17:35

Some very judgmental responses on this thread! I would definitely report the theft to the hotel reception. They may be able to spot an obvious pattern, eg that thefts only ever occur in the rooms that Cleaner X has been assigned to clean. That's not to say that it's necessarily a cleaner. Other staff will no doubt have access to master keys. As to whether it's covered by insurance, that will depend on the terms of the policy, but any claim will almost certainly require a police report, which could be a faff to obtain.

Hairush · 01/09/2023 17:39

Contact your insurers and follow their advice. They'll probably want you to report it to the police.

Being the victim of a crime is never "your own stupid fault"..

IhearyouClemFandango · 01/09/2023 17:40

Of course mention it. You should be able to leave money scattered all over your room and have it still there at the end of the day, safe or not.

MBappse · 01/09/2023 17:44

How much was it?

If you report to the police, you will be able to claim on your travel insurance?

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 01/09/2023 17:45

Hairush · 01/09/2023 17:39

Contact your insurers and follow their advice. They'll probably want you to report it to the police.

Being the victim of a crime is never "your own stupid fault"..

Unfortunately most insurance companies won't be interested - many state that valuables need to be kept in the safe otherwise they won't cover you.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 01/09/2023 17:45

"Be aware that insurers generally will cover stolen money when it has been kept: • On your person or • In a secure safe or locked accommodation. Policies do not cover scenarios where you have failed to take these precautions. If you have any queries regarding your claim, resolver recommends that you submit your concern in writing and resolver can assist you in submitting, recording and reminding you when and who to escalate to."

www.resolver.co.uk/consumer-rights/travel-insurance-theft-cash-complaints

concertgoer · 01/09/2023 19:23

I’d report it. But first I’d be tempted to leave a note telling them so, where the money was!

if nothing else you can tell the thief you’re onto them! And let them find it.

in my experience safes have a disclaimer on them about staff being able to override them. We lock stuff in our suitcases (& take very little cash).

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