Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Hotel Room Safes.

(21 Posts)
GrannyGravy13 Wed 10-Jun-26 10:07:06

MT62

Maids don’t usually have an override code to room safe, usually manager, or hotel security.
As for Las Vegas, they usually put dud batteries in the safe, so that when staff member comes to sort the safe you give them a nice tip.

We had already been there for a week, up till then the safe was working perfectly.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 10-Jun-26 10:05:54

MT62

Yes always. You can change the code to suit you.
TBH, I didn’t put my iPad, sometimes phone in the safe as it could be on charge. The maid never touched our things.

We went to a hotel here in the U.K. and the safe had a usb charger point inside it.

It was also big enough to take a laptop 💻

MT62 Wed 10-Jun-26 10:05:32

Maids don’t usually have an override code to room safe, usually manager, or hotel security.
As for Las Vegas, they usually put dud batteries in the safe, so that when staff member comes to sort the safe you give them a nice tip.

nanna8 Wed 10-Jun-26 09:59:12

Depends where we are. Some countries feel safer than others.

MT62 Wed 10-Jun-26 09:55:49

Yes always. You can change the code to suit you.
TBH, I didn’t put my iPad, sometimes phone in the safe as it could be on charge. The maid never touched our things.

Mollygo Wed 10-Jun-26 09:43:57

The hotel safes we have used are fitted in, so don't have the potential to bang down on the lid to open them.
Although I suppose if you can fit a safe in, you can also get it out.
Some staff must obviously have an override code in case of problems but in Madrid, Porto, London and Bordeaux it was definitely safer NOT to be carrying my passport or other valuables. Apart from Madrid, we were lucky enough to foil attempts at theft.
Determined thieves will steal whatever you do, but so far, I’ll trust the safe.

GrannyGravy13

Whether or not you put your passport in the safe, hide it amongst your belongings or keep it with you at all times it is advised to have a photograph of the detail pages.

Yes. We’ve done that for a few years now.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 10-Jun-26 09:09:53

Whether or not you put your passport in the safe, hide it amongst your belongings or keep it with you at all times it is advised to have a photograph of the detail pages.

We have them in both of our phones.

On occasions when I have taken my good jewellery away I use the safe. On one occasion as we got into our home the phone was ringing, it was the hotel manager asking me to check my jewellery, which I did and realised I was missing a small pouch containing earrings and matching necklace. I described the missing items, for confirmation. I had left them in the safe, they were sent from Cyprus, special delivery and arrived two days later.

The only time we had a problem with a safe not opening was in Las Vegas. We rung reception and told them, they said it would be a while. DH said he wanted his $’s out so he could go to the casino (he wasn’t going to the casino, he doesn’t gamble) the manager was at our door within 5 minutes.

Primrose53 Wed 10-Jun-26 08:55:36

youtu.be/EveAKZNs83A?si=1233PDeMh5lKWQBG

Primrose53 Wed 10-Jun-26 08:52:07

There are videos on YouTube that show how very easy it is to open a hotel type safe. I did it with just one viewing! I could not believe it was so easy.

ClicketyClick Wed 10-Jun-26 08:42:44

On the second day of a holiday the safe wouldn't open. Maintenance sorted it and it confirmed that X staff have access to safes. On a different holiday I realised that my money was about 100 euros down but how do you prove someone has been in your safe? Now I do certain things with the safe contents which would tell me the safe had been accessed by a 3rd party. It's either use the safe or carry your passport etc around with you so still use the safe.

LOUISA1523 Wed 10-Jun-26 08:42:01

I don't use a safe....take my passport everywhere

Witzend Wed 10-Jun-26 08:40:13

We use hotel safes if they’re operated by a personal code you set yourself, much like the padlock I use for my locker when I go swimming.

Visgir1 Wed 10-Jun-26 08:34:45

We use them. Once ours wouldn't open - no hitting or trying a different code sorted as it, as it locked out after too many attempts.
Hotel manager had the overriding code to open it.

anna7 Wed 10-Jun-26 08:34:14

I use the safe and I don't worry about it. I only take a very small amount of cash. I thinks cards are much safer these days.

Primrose53 Wed 10-Jun-26 08:21:24

Those hotel safes are pretty useless. They can be opened with just a smart bash as we found out when ours got jammed.

A neighbour of mine hid a lot of euro notes (family of 6) under a carpet in their hotel room and that was discovered and stolen. That was in Gran Canaria.

Jaxjacky Wed 10-Jun-26 07:59:31

I’ve always used them, ne er worried about it.

J52 Wed 10-Jun-26 07:56:50

I always use the safe, I avoid booking a hotel without a room safe, if possible.
It’s not common in the UK and I’ve often hidden valuables in my car during the day when I wouldn’t be in the room.

MartavTaurus Wed 10-Jun-26 07:09:52

Always.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 10-Jun-26 07:00:42

Always use the safe.

If someone desperately wants to do as you suggest, they will find away wherever you hide your valuables.

Astitchintime Wed 10-Jun-26 07:00:19

In the absence of a safe I lock all our documents in a suitcase…,..yes, I know, the case could be stolen!

It is a risk we take with valuables though. Whenever there’s a safe, and normally they are the key code variety, I do use it. Obviously there’s a master code otherwise the hotel manager/cruise purser wouldn’t be able to open a safe that a customer had left in the lock position. Therefore, we simply have to trust that no one would access and copy documents or steal valuables. I guess that sealing them in a package might deter this as it would be obvious that it had been tampered with.

Calendargirl Wed 10-Jun-26 06:54:03

Do you use the safe when staying in a hotel?

Or do you wonder if others have access to it and could go in, photocopy passport details for example, and you would be none the wiser?

Or do I read too many crime novels?