Keeping your valuables safe

So this is not specific to vegas, but I'd be itnerested in Vegas specific experiences.

I've explained I keep valuables in either the in-room safe or a safe deposit box provided by the hotel. I've never had anything lost or stolen, so I'm guessing so far I'm doing things right (once I forgot a small bag with souvenirs and a folding umbrella in Orlando, but that ws mere carelessness).

Back in the late 70s in New York City, my dad left his briefcase in the room. When he got back, some cash he'd left in it and one credit card were missing. He had some nasty arguments with the hotel's security (A Hilton if memory serves) but dind't report it to the cops. He said security told him the maid probably hadn't stolen his card and cash, but that someone prowling the corridors got in when the maid left the room door open. It sounds plausible.

Now, assuming most hotel robberies go down that way, or gets done by opportunistic housekeeping staff, it follows that they'll look for valuables left in the open rather than those secured in the safe. Trying to open the safe is hard and might alert hotel security (I've sometimes thought of trying to open the safe five times with the wrong number to see what happens, but I'm sure it will be either nothing or a major inconvenience).

Anyway, every story I've heard of money or other valaubles gone missing in a hotel, involved stuff left lying in plain sight, or placed in suitcases or in drawers. I've never heard of anyone having stuff stolen that was in the safe. In general theft is an opportunistic crime. Thieves dont' necessarily go for what they want, but for what they can get. With exceptions, of course. Overall security thinking is to amke your stuff harder to get at, thus making more thieves go look elsewhere for easier pickings.

Any thoughts?

"Opportunity" is key.

Although I've never been a victim, I can easily see how it can happen.

One more than one occasion, I've gone to my room while the maid was there. I said I'll just be a minute. The maid courteously gives me my privacy.

Except the maid has done nothing to ensure it actually is my room.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Except the maid has done nothing to ensure it actually is my room.

Yes, things like that.

I've also often seen a maid open two or three rooms, leave the doors open, then go from room to room. Maybe she vaccums each one in turn, then she does the beds, with occasional stops at the supply cart. Anyone can walk into an open room then.

Hotel doors are self-closing, but if you open it as far as it will go it stays open.

Anyway, I've learned through experience anything can be stolen. We had our family business robbed once many years ago, despite having some sensible safety precautions like locks and double doors. So surely a hotel safe is vulnerable too, if a thief wants it bad enough. It just doesn't seem that hotel crime runs along that line. It's like minding your purse or your wallet while out on the street. A pickpocket won't go for a person if they look like they'll notice being picked.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

"Opportunity" is key.

Although I've never been a victim, I can easily see how it can happen.

One more than one occasion, I've gone to my room while the maid was there. I said I'll just be a minute. The maid courteously gives me my privacy.

Except the maid has done nothing to ensure it actually is my room.

I've had a maid ask me to put my key in the door to show it opens. I tipped her on the spot.

I lock everything in the safe, laptop, ipods, cell phones, jewelry, etc. In fact after an incident years ago where housekeeping took some loose change I had in a cup, I now lock up any loose change I have.

One thing that strikes me as odd, last month I was staying at the MGM and each day I would leave a cash tip for housekeeping on the corner of my bed, the same amount each day on the same corner. One of the days I didnt have any small bills so I left casino chips on the bed - the same spot as in days before and the same dollar amount as in days before. When I got back to my room later that afternoon, housekeeping had cleaned my room, but my casino chips were in the same spot I left them.

There is no way she could have made my bed without seeing the chips. Is housekeeping not allowed to accept casino chips as a tip?

Quote: mgreiche

I would leave a cash tip for housekeeping on the corner of my bed, the same amount each day on the same corner. One of the days I didnt have any small bills so I left casino chips on the bed -

There is no way she could have made my bed without seeing the chips. Is housekeeping not allowed to accept casino chips as a tip?

Housekeeping is not allowed to take anything as long as you are still using the room. If you have checked out that day and leave a few bucks on the dresser, then she can assume it's for her. If you are obviously still using the room, she is not supposed to touch any random cash or chips left lying around unless there's a clear note stating "Thank you, this is for you". She sounded like an honest maid who erred on the side of caution.

Quote:

There is no way she could have made my bed without seeing the chips. Is housekeeping not allowed to accept casino chips as a tip?

You CAN tip with chips, but it's considered bad form, since it then requires the person to go exchange it. The exception, of course, are employees who work the casino floor.

There is a chance that the maid that did the room that day wasn't the same maid as the other days. Couple that with chips instead of cash, and I can easily see why she wouldn't assume.

Quote: zippyboy

If you are obviously still using the room, she is not supposed to touch any random cash or chips left lying around unless there's a clear note stating "Thank you, this is for you". She sounded like an honest maid who erred on the side of caution.

Seconded.

In fact when I leave the housekeeping tip, I either put it in a hotel envelope, not sealed, with "For housekeeping, thank you," written on it (sometimes they take the money and leave the envelope), or under a small note saying the same thing. I once left money just lying around, and it was still there when I came back.

Quote: Nareed

Quote: zippyboy

If you are obviously still using the room, she is not supposed to touch any random cash or chips left lying around unless there's a clear note stating "Thank you, this is for you". She sounded like an honest maid who erred on the side of caution.

Seconded.

In fact when I leave the housekeeping tip, I either put it in a hotel envelope, not sealed, with "For housekeeping, thank you," written on it (sometimes they take the money and leave the envelope), or under a small note saying the same thing. I once left money just lying around, and it was still there when I came back.

When in Vegas I always tip the maid on a daily basis. After the first night I usually ask for an extra set of towels ( how do wives need so many towels ) and leave a tip folded in a hotel note pad marked " for the maid" and thanking her. I will then leave a daily tip as most times the maid usually leaves a thankyou note with her name.

I have found that a daily tip will always result in a spotless tip, plenty of bathroom necessities, extra towels and if a coffee machine ( slim nowadays ) plenty of extra coffee refills.

My feeling is they work hard and I'm more than happy to tip them for a spotless room.

Just my opinion............

Eagledice

how often do you think large casinos test their maid stay with a "mystery guest". Leaving money and valuables in plain site to see if a maids takes it?