OT, but is this strange, related to hotel stay ?

[pandora174]

We checked into a great doubletree in Tampa to head over to BG. It's been re-done, great service, clean rooms, food great & affordable, 3.5 stars $35 through Priceline...no complaints whatsover !

Then on our 1rst day when we got back to our room, 3 drawers were pulled out. 2 appeared to be looked through. I am very "type A" so I always fold the clothes & never leave anything laying around since I just want housekeeping to clean & not have to pick up after our messes. I even do a double check so we don't leave anything like hats, sunblock etc. I personally had put away all the clothes & when we got back the night table drawer was open, 2 other drawers were open & clothes moved around & one with a t-shirt sticking out

We immediately checked & nothing was missing. This hotel has no safe so we took our laptops with me & DS (7), DS in his backpack. All I left in the drawer were perfume (kinda expensive) & my vacation jewelry (Brighton- not cheap to me) but I put it in the between DH'ss underwear. I wonder if that turned them off

So I called the front desk to alert them. They sent the security manager, who asked what time we left, returned etc. Also to make double sure everything was there. Then at night he would do a double check on our room lock & it would show 2 green dots after that Maybe extra security on who has accesed our room ???

30 min later I get a call from the manager asking if I needed housekeeping that a manager would accompany the maid ! I said, it's ok we're only here 1 more day & wanted to bring it to their attention as I did not like finding drawers opened & I will give the benefit of the doubt behind the intent if any & regardless we really didn't need housekpeeing the next day.

Today I received a note under my door from the securty manager with 3 breakfast buffet tickets, late check out till 1 pm & to call & they will bring up towels, toiletries if needed

Talk about customer service ! & I am very happy we had nothing of value taken. & yes before I get flamed, I thought it was a mistake the 1rst drawer but by drawer # 3 & the items not as I left them, made it clear to me. & I had jut finished cleaning & picking up after DH & DS who were in the free wi-fi part of the hotel waiting for me & NO I don't think maids are thieves, my sister works cleaning offices. This was a first experience like this in over 20 years of traveling ! Just my weird luck...

Just feel very lucky that we didn't leave the laptops behind. & the buffets are a great budget savings & it showed the hotel took it very seriously. Definitely writing an e-mail when I get home about the security manager's great customer service !

 

[bumbershoot]

Yikes!


"& NO I don't think maids are thiefs"...well, maybe not ALL thieves...but it certainly seems like in THIS case....

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Many years ago, my dad spent a week in a hotel for a training conference (he was a police officer). He became suspicious that someone was going through his drawers when he was gone. Nothing was taken but things were moved and not exactly the way he left them. He decided to set a little trap using toothpicks. He somehow rigged it up so that if the drawer was opened the toothpicks would fall into the drawer. Sure enough, every trap was triggered when he got back into his room. I don't know if he reported it or if anything came of it but he did know for sure that someone was opening the drawers. I guess the maid (or whoever) didn't realize they had a hotel full of clever cops that week!

 

[TheRatPack]

Nothing was taken because there was nothing to take. I imagine if you'd left a laptop hidden between tshirts or a wallet underneath clothing in your drawers it wouldn't have been there when you returned. They open the drawers and move things around...find nothing of value and they move on. Kind of creepy, makes you want to re-wash all your clothing and put locks on the drawers LOL

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yikes!


"& NO I don't think maids are thiefs"...well, maybe not ALL thieves...but it certainly seems like in THIS case....

I disagree. Careless, maybe, but dishonest? Don't you think the hotel would have had complaints before? No, I think one of two things happened: either someone happened to have a key card that [still] opened the door to this room; or the door wasn't closed completely at some point when it was empty. In the latter case, it was much more likely the fault of the maid, but it's also possible whoever in the OP's party was the last to leave the room didn't give the door a final secure tug.

Before anyone flames me for blaming the OP, I'm not. Just, in Las Vegas hotels, they do show security videos in-room with advice like this - telling you what thieves look for.

 

[disneymarie]

I do believe the poster knew her space well enough and there was someone in the room. If it was housekeeping, at that rate, I doubt they pay much and have undocumented people working for them that would not care if they got fired.

It only takes one bad person to sully the name and recommendation of the hotel. Having no safe is a huge no no to me, and would hope they offer free service of a safe at check in or luggage area to keep laptops safe.

It is especially easy to take Ipods, or things kids could misplace. I also think there are people that are honest, but not 100%

Error on the side of locking possesions up!

The security should have provided a print out of in and out activity, and then questioned the person that serviced that room, suspended them for a week if they concluded there were a concern they could not rule for that person, it is a heads up. The security MAY have had other complaints and did not say anything also.
All it takes is a few online feed backs of this nature to keep anyone from trusting the hotel to stay.

I remeber staying in a Quality Inn near old town one year and left my xanax in my cometic case. BUT, I could not rule out my step daughter....she had a problem. It did leave me without something to take the edge off the anxiety of flying, crowds, rides and traveling so far from home.
SUCKED.

 

[seashoreCM]

If drawers were left open, chances are it was not the maid who was going through them.

Was the door loose fitting where it could be opened by pushing a credit card against the latch?

 

[Alexander]

I agree with the PP--if it was housekeeping, this is probably not the first time they would have done something like this and would have likely closed the drawers after going through them so not to look obvious.

My guess would be the door wasn't latched and someone was able to access the room.

I am so happy that the hotel responded so well for you though!

 

[pandora174]

I disagree. Careless, maybe, but dishonest? Don't you think the hotel would have had complaints before? No, I think one of two things happened: either someone happened to have a key card that [still] opened the door to this room; or the door wasn't closed completely at some point when it was empty. In the latter case, it was much more likely the fault of the maid, but it's also possible whoever in the OP's party was the last to leave the room didn't give the door a final secure tug.

Before anyone flames me for blaming the OP, I'm not. Just, in Las Vegas hotels, they do show security videos in-room with advice like this - telling you what thieves look for.

Nope I closed the door fully & heard it click & it's a custom even at home or my car I always jiggle the handle.

 

[ajh88]

I'm glad the hotel took your report seriously and that you didn't lose anything valuable. I recently had something taken from a hotel room. I was traveling alone for school and had been at the same hotel all week. The last night of my stay, I returned to my room to find my cell phone charger (of all things!) missing. I searched high and low, EVERYWHERE, to make sure it wasn't in the room (accidentally knocked off the desk, etc.) before I called the front desk. I was afraid it had falled into the trash can next to the desk, but the trash in that can hadn't even been emptied that day, so if it had fallen, I should have found it there.

Anyway, I called the front desk to let them know and they never did find it. I suspect it was a crime of opportunity - my laptop was in the room, but I put it into the desk drawer every day before I left. The charger was ON the desk, in view. My suspicion is that the door was left open at some point and someone else (NOT the housekeeper) popped in to see if there was anything good they could take. I'm just thankful it was only a $15 charger and not my school laptop!

At another hotel (a La Quinta), when DH and DD were with me, my DH said that one housekeeper would often have 3 or 4 rooms open at once, with the doors propped open. I would guess that it isn't "protocol", but it's how they did it nonetheless. That would be a perfect opportunity for a petty thief to pop in and grab anything of value that is visible. I'd also venture to say that the housekeeper would likely not know what the guest in any given room looks like and might not even question it if she would have found someone in one of the open rooms.

 

[pandora174]

If drawers were left open, chances are it was not the maid who was going through them.

Was the door loose fitting where it could be opened by pushing a credit card against the latch?

No as I stated before I'm a little A personality & the drawers were closed, even the closet. The hotel was remodeled late 2009 & everything looked in order, flat screen TV, wi-fi etc. Would have no idea about a credit card against the latch

 

[pandora174]

I'm glad the hotel took your report seriously and that you didn't lose anything valuable. I recently had something taken from a hotel room. I was traveling alone for school and had been at the same hotel all week. The last night of my stay, I returned to my room to find my cell phone charger (of all things!) missing. I searched high and low, EVERYWHERE, to make sure it wasn't in the room (accidentally knocked off the desk, etc.) before I called the front desk. I was afraid it had falled into the trash can next to the desk, but the trash in that can hadn't even been emptied that day, so if it had fallen, I should have found it there.

Anyway, I called the front desk to let them know and they never did find it. I suspect it was a crime of opportunity - my laptop was in the room, but I put it into the desk drawer every day before I left. The charger was ON the desk, in view. My suspicion is that the door was left open at some point and someone else (NOT the housekeeper) popped in to see if there was anything good they could take. I'm just thankful it was only a $15 charger and not my school laptop!

At another hotel (a La Quinta), when DH and DD were with me, my DH said that one housekeeper would often have 3 or 4 rooms open at once, with the doors propped open. I would guess that it isn't "protocol", but it's how they did it nonetheless. That would be a perfect opportunity for a petty thief to pop in and grab anything of value that is visible. I'd also venture to say that the housekeeper would likely not know what the guest in any given room looks like and might not even question it if she would have found someone in one of the open rooms.

Yup, as I was heading back from the pool this morning there were several rooms open with the housekeeping carts in the hallway. Some rooms were empty but wide open. I'm glad I asked for no housekeeping today.

What can you do though, other than use the hotel safe if available.

 

[swilshire]

My job requires me to use a cable lock to secure my laptop. I bought the same lock for two of my kids for $10 each at Walmart. The last time I looked, our local store didn't have them, so I need to get busy and find one for the next kid. A very determined thief could probably still get away with the laptop, but hopefully it would be too much trouble to bother.

Sheila

 

[disneyfans95]

I have been a hotel GM for over 20 years. All different properties (from resort to conference centers)

In the 20 years, guests always want to blame the housekeepers, but I have had maybe three times where it was actually them. It is very rare.

From the hotel's viewpoint, we get tons of "claims" about stolen items. Very few of them are true. Many items are actually found in the room, never were in the room to begin with and/or someone trying to scam us. They don't realize that a decent hotel won't be on the hook for anything, because they provide both an in room safe and access to a safety deposit box. If you have those two things and a copy of the Innkeepers law on the door, you won't be liable if someone stole your grandmother.

I am not saying something did not happen to the OP. It can still be someone on the staff though. They will have a detailed record of all access to the room and should be able to track it back with little effort.

Housekeepers should not be leaving multiple doors (even rooms that are unoccupied and being turned over). That is sloppy work by their supervisors/managers if that is happening.

The most common reason for real items being stolen in guest rooms is still that guests don't lock the door behind them. We have them set so basically you get slammed in the butt if you don't move quick enough, but people still hold them for someone and don't let them close all the way.

The second most common is issue is someone getting access to a key card and entering rooms that way.

For the OP, glad the management staff took your complaint and tried to make you feel safe and gave you some breakfast comps. I would do that right away also. There is nothing wrong with going a little extra like that.

The issue is that even if my hotel is not liable for your lost, we are drilled to not give you a thing because it can been seen as we are wrong and trying to make up for it.

 

[Arielle22]

If it was housekeeping, at that rate, I doubt they pay much and have undocumented people working for them that would not care if they got fired.

I found this an odd statement to make. So if housekeeping stole items it must be because they are illegal? That is a big stretch to make. The housekeeping positions probably don't pay much. But to say because they don't pay much that the only people working are illegals who won't mind stealing is so outrageous.

I am sure you know from your experience that prisons are full of legal citizens and legal immigrants who didn't mind stealing.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

We checked into a great doubletree in Tampa to head over to BG. It's been re-done, great service, clean rooms, food great & affordable, 3.5 stars $35 through Priceline...no complaints whatsover !

Then on our 1rst day when we got back to our room, 3 drawers were pulled out. 2 appeared to be looked through. I am very "type A" so I always fold the clothes & never leave anything laying around since I just want housekeeping to clean & not have to pick up after our messes. I even do a double check so we don't leave anything like hats, sunblock etc. I personally had put away all the clothes & when we got back the night table drawer was open, 2 other drawers were open & clothes moved around & one with a t-shirt sticking out

We immediately checked & nothing was missing. This hotel has no safe so we took our laptops with me & DS (7), DS in his backpack. All I left in the drawer were perfume (kinda expensive) & my vacation jewelry (Brighton- not cheap to me) but I put it in the between DH'ss underwear. I wonder if that turned them off

So I called the front desk to alert them. They sent the security manager, who asked what time we left, returned etc. Also to make double sure everything was there. Then at night he would do a double check on our room lock & it would show 2 green dots after that Maybe extra security on who has accesed our room ???

30 min later I get a call from the manager asking if I needed housekeeping that a manager would accompany the maid ! I said, it's ok we're only here 1 more day & wanted to bring it to their attention as I did not like finding drawers opened & I will give the benefit of the doubt behind the intent if any & regardless we really didn't need housekpeeing the next day.

Today I received a note under my door from the securty manager with 3 breakfast buffet tickets, late check out till 1 pm & to call & they will bring up towels, toiletries if needed

Talk about customer service ! & I am very happy we had nothing of value taken. & yes before I get flamed, I thought it was a mistake the 1rst drawer but by drawer # 3 & the items not as I left them, made it clear to me. & I had jut finished cleaning & picking up after DH & DS who were in the free wi-fi part of the hotel waiting for me & NO I don't think maids are thieves, my sister works cleaning offices. This was a first experience like this in over 20 years of traveling ! Just my weird luck...

Just feel very lucky that we didn't leave the laptops behind. & the buffets are a great budget savings & it showed the hotel took it very seriously. Definitely writing an e-mail when I get home about the security manager's great customer service !

It is scary what can happen while you are n a hotel room. Many years ago at a hotel in Cedar Rapids Iowa I noticed the same thing. I was there on business for 2 weeks and I first noticed this a few days into the trip. The day after I noticed a bag of chips I had was missing and the TV was now facing the other bed then what it was that morning before leaving. I still thought maybe I was just crazy. On the Monday of the 2nd week our class was delayed because alot of people had weather issues after returning ( they went home for the weekend)and they postponed class until noon, so it was around 9am and I went back to the room. I went into my room and the bathroom door was shut and a bunch of my undies were out on the bed. I saw no housekeeping cart, so I went down to the desk and told them what was going on. The manager said he would go find out. Long story short, the manager found the maintance man in my room wearing my underwear:scared1,:. They apologized and offered to clean my clothes, I pressed the issue and they replaced $200 worth of bras and panties. I am sorry, but I was not wearing any of them anymore. I travel alot for work and have had clothes stolen and I know drawers gone though (I place them a certain way now), so things do happen more then many people realize. I am glad they were so nice about it for you, I love doubletree, never had a bad experience there.

 

[pandora174]

My job requires me to use a cable lock to secure my laptop. I bought the same lock for two of my kids for $10 each at Walmart. The last time I looked, our local store didn't have them, so I need to get busy and find one for the next kid. A very determined thief could probably still get away with the laptop, but hopefully it would be too much trouble to bother.

Sheila

Like that idea ! We travel at least 3 or 4 times to Orlando or Tampa. So next trip I'm getting that for sure ! Thanks for the tip

 

[princessmom29]

Odds are if it were houskeeping they would have covered thier tracks a little better, at least closing the drawers behind themselves. They are always the first ones accused and they know that. More likley to be someone else with a keycard.

 

[krcit]

It is scary what can happen while you are n a hotel room. Many years ago at a hotel in Cedar Rapids Iowa I noticed the same thing. I was there on business for 2 weeks and I first noticed this a few days into the trip. The day after I noticed a bag of chips I had was missing and the TV was now facing the other bed then what it was that morning before leaving. I still thought maybe I was just crazy. On the Monday of the 2nd week our class was delayed because alot of people had weather issues after returning ( they went home for the weekend)and they postponed class until noon, so it was around 9am and I went back to the room. I went into my room and the bathroom door was shut and a bunch of my undies were out on the bed. I saw no housekeeping cart, so I went down to the desk and told them what was going on. The manager said he would go find out. Long story short, the manager found the maintance man in my room wearing my underwear:scared1,:. They apologized and offered to clean my clothes, I pressed the issue and they replaced $200 worth of bras and panties. I am sorry, but I was not wearing any of them anymore. I travel alot for work and have had clothes stolen and I know drawers gone though (I place them a certain way now), so things do happen more then many people realize. I am glad they were so nice about it for you, I love doubletree, never had a bad experience there.

 

[SandrA9810]

I found a maintance guy in my apartment at 11pm at night. Found a huge set of keys on a ring laying on the bed. He was eating our food and watching jay leno on our bed. Of course the apartment didn't want anything to do with it.

It's amazing how many people really do have access to your hotel room. So it's not just house keeping in the rooms.

I wonder if disney requires the CM to use their ID for entering or if there's a seperate card.

Don't most hotels have cameras in the hallways?? Couldn't they just look at that??