I have read that many people keep their valuables (including cash) in the hotel safe while out for the day. Is this a wise thing to do, particularly with cash? I would worry that a hotel employee might take my cash, and I would have no real recourse, particularly if I had to depart soon thereafter. Would it be better to keep my cash in a money belt each day, and use the safe for things like my passport and extra credit cards? Does the type of hotel make a difference? Is the room safe better than the reception safe? Does anyone have an opinion on this?

1) The safe at the reception desk is safer than the room safe (I use the theory it's hard to break into a safe in full view of the hotel staff; real easy to do in a room that's empty all day). <BR>2) Reputable hotels (and their employees) are highly unlikely to steal your money. <BR>3) WHY would you carry cash in the first place?? If you don't want to use ATM cards, then get travelers' checks - I don't carry lots of cash when I'm home, so I sure as heck don't do it when I travel. Unless you are in a business that only deals in cash (wasn't there a Glenn Frey song about that?), there's no reason to risk carrying it (how do you intend to protect it in the airports? in the cab on the way to the hotel? on the sidewalk while unloading the luggage from the cab?) <BR>4) Don't take more credit cards than you'll need (if it's in a hotel safe, what good is it?); leave the Sears and Texaco cards at home and carry the Master/Visa/Diner's Club/Amex sorts with you - and unless you are planning a 3 month sojourn of antique buying, more than 3 or 4 cards is too many. I carry 2 ATM cards, one Visa, one Mastercard, and I've taken 10 women around France with those. <BR>5) Finally, this thing about passports. I carry it all the time, even when I'm home. It is part of my daily consciousness, like my house keys. I would never leave it in a hotel safe nor in a safe deposit box at home; it's with me always. <BR>

I agree with Elvira on every point except the room safe. I don't have more faith in the lobby safe than I do in the room safe, but I don't have less faith either. I too always carry my passport with me; to me it is more valuable than <BR>cash or even jewelry (which I don't really travel with). <BR>I too carry minimal cash and just one or two travelers' checks for emergency back-up only. I arrive with a little local currency to get me from the airport and to use for tips. From then on I get cash from ATMs and charge as many meals and purchases on credit cards as I can to get the best exchange rate.I travel with one ATM card, and one or two credit cards which, in a pinch, could also be used in an ATM. <BR>I am lucky enough to say that I have never been a crime victim while abroad <BR>(nor at home either, and I live in a large city). I don't use a money belt, but that's just my preference because since I don't need one at home, I don't feel that I need one abroad.

I agree with the Es. By the way, have any of you/either of the Es ever used the little gadget Magellans/others sell that purports to lock a drawer/any drawer? It's a couple of pieces of metal that you lock with a luggage lock.

I've always found both types of hotel safe to be secure, at least in a decent hotel. For carrying cash, passport etc., the wallets that you carry under your clothing are quite useful. You can get them from AAA, Travelsmith, Magellan's etc.