I have a hidden pocket in my suitcase that I put my laptop in when it won't fit in the safe.
I leave my suitcase open with assorted items of little value in the case. they would have to actually take my case apart to find the laptop and of course they will not do that because they would have no reason to think something is hidden in there.
I have never had anything stolen, in a hotel, checked baggage, or valet.
Hotel meeting rooms are a danger though.
We had 4 laptops taken during a short break where we went to a break out room for food. Very common, according to the company who insured the laptops.

We don't ever leave anything around the room when traveling. Cameras, purses, any jewelry, all go into a locked suitcase if no safe is available. Passports go in the safe too, copies into money belts.

Most rooms have safes, (in Hyatts anyway, bolted from the inside into the armoire or floor,) but for Super Bowl in Houston, a Renaissance, our room didn't. That was also one of the first times we flew when we couldn't lock our luggage, so not having a safe was a real inconvenience--an annoyance even. I don't like schlepping things to the front desk for whatever reason. I guess because I'm used to the convenience of the in-room safe.

E- yes I do use my business address and cell phone..I use it for everything these days..even my driver's license after I got hit by another car and the police gave my license address to the other driver (who was definitely someone I didn't want showing up at my door).

But that is a good reminder to everyone.

We once stayed at a hotel that had a fire alarm at about midnight. We'd just gotten back from a wedding reception, I had taken off my rings and was looking for hand lotion when the alarm was sounded. We walked out (aaargh!) and locked the door. Of course the rings were gone when we returned an hour later. We reported it, the management was not very interested. They filled out some paperwork but I never got my rings back.

This thread brings back memories.

Many years ago, I was living temporarily in a hotel for several weeks. A leather jacket was stolen from my room. There was no forced entry and I was sure that it was a hotel employee. I contacted the manager and the police and I asked that the maid's locker be searched. I also requested, that the maid that cleaned my room, that day, not be allowed to enter my room again. My jacket remained missing.

About 5 years later, I got a call from the police. My leather jacket had been found and a receipt with my name was in the pocket. They told me that after a maid quit, they cleaned out her locker and found my jacket. Apparently, I had stirred up too much interest for her to get it out of the hotel.

Craig, why would you make copies of your E-Tickets?

GoTravel - I make duplicate copies of my itinerary too and all hotel confirmations. I probably overdo it a bit but its just a general precaution I take to prevent hassles if any of these things gets lost (or stolen). I'm pretty sure the airlines recommend you bring your e-ticket with you (along with ID) when you check in even though you don't actually need it.

Craig, I do the same. :) One copy goes in the suitcase, one in the carry-on.

Some years ago we were travelling in South America-husband was on business. We were leaving the hotel in Sao Paulo when I realized some of my jewelry was missing from its case-nothing too expensive-a pearl ring and a couple of gold necklaces. Husband started looking under the bed when he spied everything very neatly lined up in a corner by the bed leg. We imagined the cleaning people were accusing each other after discovering their loss.

bounty...

That is a great scheme on their part. If you complain while still a guest....the items can be found and they won't be in trouble.

After you have checked out, they can easily retrieve the items when "the coast is clear"

Dishonest....but clever.

Yes, it's quite a clever scheme, Dick. I guess they have to do these things as they are so poor!

I only bring jewelry that I wear every day and never leave it behind. We have left cameras in the room safe and haven't encountered any problems. That being said, about 15 years ago we were in the Bahamas for vacation. Our first room had a problem with the bathroom so they changed our room. This second room had a problem with the sliding door to the small balcony. I was tired and didn't feel like changing rooms again so I figured, well, the door screeches when forced open, but what the heck, I can live with that. The morning we checked out of the hotel there was a comotion in the lobby. Seems there was a cat burgalar who figured a way to scale the balconies and entered rooms through open sliders. I mean, who would expect someone on the balcony when your on the 15th floor? Our sticky screechy door saved us from losing anything that evening. (I now keep the door locked at all times.)

I saw an investigative tv show where they installed hidden cameras in the hotel rooms and caught a lot of maids pilfering some dollar bills out of the purses left in the room (not all--just enough so you won't miss it). They look in drawers, under mattresses, etc. for valuables. They said don't bother hiding valuables as the maids know every nook and cranny in the hotel rooms and know just where to look. Locked suitcases wasn't a safe place.

I will never forget an experience I had in Washington DC a last year. My daughter and I tagged along on a conference that my sister was attending so that I could show DD around town. It was bitterly cold so I hired a driver to show us the highlights. Our first stop was the capitol and as I went to check the time my heart stopped when I realized I'd left my watch in the room. My husband had given it to me on my 40th so we raced back to the hotel. My heart sank when I went in the room and it was gone. The room had been made up so I went looking for the maid. I found her--wearing my watch!!