Hotel safes---safe? ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Hotel safes---safe?

Replies: 16 - Last Post: 25-Sep-2007 05:04 Last Post By: r4e

jump to

Posted
08-Sep-2007 12:10
by: zebec

Posts: 856
Registered: 29/08/03

Hotel safes---safe?

We'll be staying in a variety of lodgings in China, from 2 to 4 star. Will our tech toys and valuables be safe in the room or the hotels' safes or room safes? Would leaving camera and i-pods/portable speakers be safe with hotel management in most cases?

Posted
08-Sep-2007 16:41
by: gonezen

Posts: 170
Registered: 21/02/05

1

I have heard people suggest this (in room safe) was not safe, but I've never had a problem. If in doubt, leave your things in a box with reception.

"Freedom lies in being bold." Robert Frost

Posted
08-Sep-2007 19:19
by: guenovnd

Posts: 211
Registered: 25/02/07

2

I have traveled extensively alone and with my family throughout China. We have used hotel safes for everything from passports, airplane tickets to even laptop (based on whether the safe dimensions allow). Based on that experience, I would suggest that the hotel safes are OK to use.

ChinaTravel

Posted
09-Sep-2007 00:01
by: Spoerle

Posts: 358
Registered: 16/01/05

3

I never take any "valuables" when travelling. The most importent things (Passport, money, credit card, return ticket) will be carried next to my skin, in a way no one can recognise it.

Posted
09-Sep-2007 01:59
by: westwood

Posts: 9,353
Registered: 21/10/02

4

The "important" things as #3 says, should always be carried with you.

"The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat."

Posted
09-Sep-2007 04:37
by: ChinesePumpkin

Posts: 10
Registered: 08/09/07

5

This is a very safe country to travel. From a very proud Chinese

I can move anywhere, fall in love wth nyone and start a new life of any kind.

Posted
09-Sep-2007 06:27
by: Samsalami1

Posts: 108
Registered: 08/09/07

6

Some hotel safe allow you to use your own personal padlock, that's why I always carry one with me. If you have to use the main lobby's safe where you have to hand in your stuff to the manager then I suggest you itemize every item and show it to him. Your passport should always be with you at all time.

Posted
09-Sep-2007 08:49
by: willyz

Posts: 351
Registered: 14/11/04

7

In my opinion, it is not whether Hotels in China or any particular hotel is safe. It all depends on the staff at the time you are staying. I have stayed at the same hotel in Bangkok on and off over 6 years without a problem. The last time my Canadian money ( $150) was taken from a sealed envelope in the hotel safe. Cash, credit cards, passport, etc.. are not heavy, carry them with you.

Posted
09-Sep-2007 09:22
by: ellyse

Posts: 8,932
Registered: 27/04/02

8

Why are you carrying around so much expensive stuff? What are you needing them for... work trip?
Cheers!

Posted
09-Sep-2007 22:04
by: myobie

Posts: 394
Registered: 03/07/06

9

"Why are you carrying around so much expensive stuff? What are you needing them for... work trip?
"

Please!

thats like saying I have a nice car, but i dont drive it because it will wear it out.

IPOD - perfect use is on those 12+hour bus/train journeys that you would never do at home.
CAMERA - soley used to ensure the locals know youre a tourist, as i can remember everything in my head anyway... :P
LAPTOP - are you going to sit down at the end of your holiday and edit your pictures.. all X,000 of them?

1000 Day Holiday || World Nomads Promotional Code: GOPACK = 7% Discount || Get your Travel Gopher Here

Posted
09-Sep-2007 22:44
by: zozzen

Posts: 107
Registered: 11/08/07

10

haha, camera and mp3 players are no valuables but necessity for travelling. I brought pocket pc phone (US$900), camera with wide lens ($1200), NDSL ($120), and a lot of gadgets. How could we avoid them?

And to OP, petty crime in hotel is not unheard, most crimes are lockpicking room locks, but i haven't heard a problem with hotel management. I'd put all gadgets in a Packsafe netted lock, tie it together with a chair, table or cabinet when asking a stranger to look after it.

Posted
09-Sep-2007 23:02
by: ellyse

Posts: 8,932
Registered: 27/04/02

11

Well, personally I would never take a laptop when I'm backpacking in China. I DO come home and edit all the photos then.
IPod and MP3 players are small enough to be carried around even when you're not using them. You should be bringing your camera almost everywhere you go anyway.
Cheers!

Posted
10-Sep-2007 00:40
by: woolf135

Posts: 1,599
Registered: 28/06/05

12

interesting how safes in English are called "safes", while in Chinese they call them "dangers"

Posted
11-Sep-2007 22:58
by: Ruth_in_Canada

Posts: 6,616
Registered: 08/09/01

13

My husband kept all of his photos on his iPod. It worked VERY well.

cheers from Ruth

Posted
12-Sep-2007 21:53
by: bulbul2

Posts: 270
Registered: 22/06/07

14

Hi,
I know the hotels in Kashgar, Urumqi, Hoten, Yarken, Kucha, Tashkurgan. Hotels are safe and with very good services. Have nice trip in China. abdulcafe@gmail.com

Subscribe to the latest messages in this branch.

Your Recent Threads

Announcements

Website speed - Facebook...
Posted By: VenessaP -- 07-Oct-2009 16:30

Latest Community News

	Speaking in Tongues Messages: 66,145 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 11:42
	On Your Bike Messages: 28,932 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 10:16
	Travel Tech Messages: 27,853 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 10:56
	Kids To Go Messages: 25,776 Last message posted at: 21-Nov-2009 23:38
	Like a Sore Thumb Messages: 22,513 Last message posted at: 20-Nov-2009 14:04
	Trekking & Mountaineering Messages: 21,985 Last message posted at: 21-Nov-2009 18:22
	Travel on a shoestring Messages: 20,864 Last message posted at: 22-Nov-2009 12:14

Destinations

Asia: Destination information

Asia is a spectacular assault on the senses, whether you're riding the trans-Siberian railway, gazing up at the temples of Angkor, struggling with the immense tide of humanity in India, or trying to s... more »

Shop Online