Safe Deposit Boxes - Hotels

Are you asking about safe deposit boxes behind the front desk or safe deposit boxes in the room itself? Second, I have never heard of a problem and if there is problem, I assume it is pretty small or it would be discussed here. But my experience is limited as I never leave anything of value in the room or in a room safe. It is always on me.

Tonya, What type of valuables were you planning to keep in the "Safe Deposit Boxes"? I'd suggest keeping your Passport, credit cards, etc. with you when you're out day touring, preferably in a Money Belt. That way there will be no possibility of important items being stolen from your Hotel Room. I assume you're planning to travel with a Money Belt? This would an especially good idea in Paris. You might want to review the Outsmarting Thieves chapter in Europe Through The Back Door as it provides some good tips. Happy travels!

Did this happen to your friend and at which hotel/B&B? Does your friend travel or was this story passed on from a friend of a friend of a..........This has never happened to us at any Hotel/B&B anywhere and I have not read or heard of such an incident. Enjoy your trip, use some common sense in crowded areas (the real place to be on guard) and take these tales of woe with a large grain of salt.

How long do you think a hotel or B&B would stay in business if illegal activity such as this occurred on their premises? I think someone has been feeding you a scare tactic story, heard from a friend, who heard it from a 2nd cousin, once removed, etc. Would rather leave my stuff in my room, then schlepp it around with me all day. I don't carry my passport with me unless I am traveling from one place to another.

As you've guessed, this situation did not happen directly w/ friend but friends of hers'. I appreciate everyone's feedback. I feel a little less worrisome about leaving anything in the safe of our hotel room...should we decide.

I have never had anyone tell me their stuff was ever stolen from a safety deposit box. And I use them without too much concern. However, I have heard thru email from a good source (that also sends me warnings of nonexistent computer viruses) that a friend's, cousin's, next door neighbor's, uncle's, brother-in-laws, sister's, mom's, cousin's, coworker's safe was broken in and they stole his passport used it to steal his identity, drained his bank account and then to add insult to injury stole several of his vital organs. So consider yourself warned.

Ed - LOL ok ...point taken.

The biggest complaint I have read on this board about in room safes is leaving and forgetting to empty the safe. We rarely use them just for that reason.

I've done just the opposite: left the passports in the hotel safe in Salzburg and arrived in Vienna without them.... and that was after seeing the safe open and the hotel front desk unattended!
The Viennese hotelier was lovely: accepted our passport copies and called the Salzburg hotel. Did I mention it was a hotel used by RS tour groups? Have taught my kids to use the safe for their netbooks and the same password each time in case * I* forget!

Melisa, On the inside of my bag I have in permanent ink my name, address and phone number. Under it says. "Outlets Bathroom *Draws
*Safe" To remind me of the four places that need to be checked when packing in a hurry.