psymaggie2

Just back from Europe and would really advise you not to stay at this budget hotel near republique, rue de malte of Paris

My boyfriend's mobile phone with IDD roamming was kept in a secret pocket in the backpack and placed inside the large cabinet of the room. Everytime we leave, we have to return the room key to the reception. And two days later we discovered that the mobile phone dispeared. We called to HK to cancel the IDD roaming service but still cannot know whether we have to pay any IDD charges misused by the thieve (we have to wait for the bills from France Orange by this month end). We told the owner of the hotel on the same day, but since no evidence, he had nothing to do with us. We then went to the police station and report the case, but they said that they cannot help us for the loss of the mobile phone.

I did admit that it is our fault to leave the mobile phone in the hotel. But we are shocked and it is really terrible that someone had searched our backpacks and stolen the phone!!

Travelnut

I don't know why anyone should be shocked that valuables might disappear from a hotel room, especially if not even nominally secured in a room safe.

socialworker

Sorry travelnut, I cannot share your expectation of thievery. I have *never* seen any evidence that baggage or closets where things were stored have been rifled through in any hotel we have ever stayed in. We have left digital cameras in luggage pockets w/o incident. Of course one would not "tempt" staff w/large amounts of cash in luggage but we have left some spare cash deep in luggage pockets, also w/o problems. I guess I am wondering from your post if you are suggesting that all hotel guests should expect to be robbed by the hotel staff??

Travelnut

I guess I'm one of those 'plan for the worst' people who is then continually suprised and pleased when things turn out so well.

But it is very easy to find many posts, here and other sites, regarding pilfery from hotel rooms, regardless of the number of ***'s. In fact, I responded to another thread with 3-4 quotes from this forum written by people who had items stolen from the room SAFE.

Therefore, I stand by my position - if you don't want to lose it, keep it with you or in a secure safe, or leave it at home.

111op

Well, but the dilemma of carrying valuables with you is that you can be robbed. It's also a real possibility.

I didn't see the thread about people complaining that they lost their valuables in the hotel safe. Was this key-operated or one where you can to choose your PIN? Presumably the former?

Travelnut

Here's another thought. I have stayed in at least one hotel that hung the room keys on a rack when you left. You would remove your room key yourself upon your return, rather than the desk clerk handing it to you. This setup adds a bit more risk to someone other than hotel staff having access to your room.

elaine

As upsetting as the theft is, I think the mosts telling problem really is the lack of responsiveness or concern by the owner.
I would write him a letter of complaint, and indicate that you are active on internet travel message boards and you have shared your bad experience with many others. He may offer you some compensation or at least an apology.

ira

Hi psy,

Other than losing your cell phone, what else was wrong with the hotel?

Travelnut

111op, I was takin' a stance on the thread about carrying your passport in France, or leaving it in the safe.

It doesn't matter, people should just do what they are most comfortable with. I prefer to remain in possession of my passport, while others prefer not to carry it on their person.

I agree it is good to post and let people know about hotels where a theft has occurred; while there is no guarantee of a hotel where it won't happen, I would definitely not choose one where I knew it HAD happened. But I still don't leave anything but suitcase and clothes in my room.

111op

I guess I tend to be pretty paranoid but then I get cavalier and leave things in the hotel anyway. But whatever I don't want to lose I usually carry with me and take a chance though.

Still I don't think that hotel theft isn't shocking. If there's really no reception to speak of, then that's a different story. Otherwise, assuming that the windows are locked and the room is secure except for access to hotel staff, I do find it's disturbing. I obviously don't expect hotel staff to rummage through my things even if I do consciously plan for it as a worst case scenario.

Sue_xx_yy

I'm sorry you lost your phone.

Unfortunately a hotel is a semi-public place, and one's room isn't as inaccessible to people as one might care to think.

Many is the time I've passed a hotel room that was being cleaned, the door wide open. The maid isn't necessarily in the room, but away - fetching towels? sheets? - whatever, I and every other hotel guest, every staff member and visitors on business (repair people, whoever) have access to the room.

And sadly, hiding places aren't to be relied upon. If you can think of a certain hiding place, so can just about everyone else. (Poll: what, besides wiping feet, might a doormat be used for?)

Again, I do offer my sympathies. Having been burglarized, I know the sense of violation after being robbed is most unpleasant.

suze

I am sorry you had a cell phone stolen.

The practice of leaving your room key at the hotel front desk is pretty common practice (if others were finding this odd).

After I unpack my clothes, I put things of small value back into my suitcase and use the small lock on it. It might not stop a thief but at least you'd know if someone has gone thru your bag.

Travelnut

Suze, I know it is common to leave the key with the desk. What I was saying was that the key was placed in a cubbyhole shelf, and the desk clerk never handles it. You put it there and you take it out (so anyone else could, as well).
p.s. Hotel St Christophe in the 5th.

Wayne

I usually do what Suze recommended. Even though most locks on ordinary luggage can be easily picked by a knowledgeable thief, thereby negating any indication of pilferage, the locks are a bit of a deterrent. There are those who will argue that locked luggage is a neon sign to a thief saying "look here; someone has something valuable stowed away."

My personal experience, in hotels both big and small, is that nothing has ever been taken from our locked luggage. Of course, we never store extremely valuable items and don't even take anything that we can do without. My wife has finally learned that it's best to leave all that jewelry at home, rather than suffer through worrying about its safety on the trip.

Your experience is sadly not typical of most travelers, but that doesn't make it less distressful to you. It makes sense for all of us to use our best judgment to protect our valuables.

psymaggie2

Thanks all of your response & empathy. I did learn to be a wise traveller from this. We admit that we mistakenly thought that hotel room is safe, as compared with pickpocking and robbery outside in Paris. Since I did many research and finally chose that one based on other's recommendation, we became less alert in the safty of the hotel....

Sorry that because of this incident, I have nothing positive about the hotel...noisy at night, unfriendly hotel clerk except the owner.

Calamari

I had a pearl necklace stolen out of our room at the Ritz hotel in San Francisco 10 years ago. My mother had given it to me for a wedding present. I left it in the bathroom of our room. When I realized it and went back for it, our beds were already turned down and the necklace was gone.

I had 200 British Pounds stolen from my nightstand in London at Le Meridien Piccadilly a few years ago. I ran out to the pharmacy for some good old Night Nurse (British Nyquil) and the money was gone. Theft happens in all types of hotels. I am sorry that you had to experience that.

sfowler

So the moral is --- never say Nevers??

Travelnut

We should restate that this post is about H. de Nevers in the 11th, not the one in the 6th.