Money missing from safes at Laguna Beach Resort, Utila

[RTBDiver]

Great heads up about looking closely at the safes prior to putting valuables in them. I'll be sure not to every trust a safe where there's a visible battery compartment because of your post.

Unfortunately it makes little difference if there is a visible battery compartment or not if a theif has copy of the master key. I have in room safes at my home with the battery compartment inside but there is still a visible keyhole for those that forget their combination or if the batteries die.
We put them in because some people wanted them, I personally hate them as they scream to a crook that that is where the money is and often, as mentioned, they are not secured properly if at all.

 

[Steve P]

Very informative post Scubagal. So where are we supposed to put cash & valuables, under the matress? My wife & I stayed in cabana O at Laguna and loved the "remote" setting and had a fabulous trip without problems. We wouldn't hesitate to return. However, now as we look to our first trip to Bonaire, it seems we can't leave valuables in the room safes or in the rental truck. Maybe I'll need to leave our Digital SLR at home and buy a bigger Otter box . . .

 

[Scubagal]

Very informative post Scubagal. So where are we supposed to put cash & valuables, under the matress? My wife & I stayed in cabana O at Laguna and loved the "remote" setting and had a fabulous trip without problems. We wouldn't hesitate to return. However, now as we look to our first trip to Bonaire, it seems we can't leave valuables in the room safes or in the rental truck. Maybe I'll need to leave our Digital SLR at home and buy a bigger Otter box . . .

Here's what a friend of ours purchased: http://www.magellans.com/store/Safety___Security___Security_Purses___TotesSV420?Args=

 

[Doc]

... but there is still a visible keyhole for those that forget their combination or if the batteries die...

Those keyholes are often hidden under a peel-off facing sticker on the front of the safe. they use a special key that is unique to the safe. Hmmmmm

The $44 dollar idea above is interesting- here's something a lot more reasonable....

$8 at a flea market.

 

[Scubagal]

Those keyholes are often hidden under a peel-off facing sticker on the front of the safe. they use a special key that is unique to the safe. Hmmmmm

The $44 dollar idea above is interesting- here's something a lot more reasonable....

$8 at a flea market.

We lost a substantial amount of cash, thankfully reimbursed by the resort. Unfortunately not every area has flea markets, and personally I would not put all my hard earned money, passports, credit cards, etc., in a $8.00 flea market purchase. No offense, Just MHO.

 

[Steve P]

Here's what a friend of ours purchased: http://www.magellans.com/store/Safety___Security___Security_Purses___TotesSV420?Args=

Interesting item Scubagal. I wouldn't have thought a bag could be more secure than a room safe. Its good to hear that Laguna reimbursed you for your losses.

 

[sunnyboy]

Given that these safes are no longer secure anyway, why not a shot of crazy glue into that key hole? ;-)

-S

 

[miketsp]

Unfortunately it makes little difference if there is a visible battery compartment or not if a theif has copy of the master key. I have in room safes at my home with the battery compartment inside but there is still a visible keyhole for those that forget their combination or if the batteries die.
We put them in because some people wanted them, I personally hate them as they scream to a crook that that is where the money is and often, as mentioned, they are not secured properly if at all.

I for one never realized that there were simpler versions of hotel safes around, like the one shown.

I had mistakenly believed that a special computerized control unit was required to gain emergency access - like the one at the bottom of this page:
Features & Options of Our Challenger Series Safes - Hospitality Safe Corp.

Now I'm going to start examining safes with more care and go back to using a motion triggered portable siren I have for travel purposes. If I leave this inside the safe on top of my belongings, any thief will get a real surprise.

 

[Sorrows]

Steve P, don't you dare leave your camera home when you go to Bonaire! That would be the real crime!

The thieves who took that safe out of the wall in Bonaire used the cover of construciton noise going on next door to facilitate their crime. We left our computer and camera in the room at various times of the day (the safe was too small at Buddy's) and never had a problem--but there are staff around who might deter potential thieves. I don't know if you would call them security, exactly, but they are there.

As for your truck--why would you leave your camera in the truck! You need it in the water with you, taking fabulous photographs!

They make those special waterproof containers for glasses and money, etc. We use them--they aren't that cumbersome. Water, towels, etc. you can leave in the truck. Also, I think you'll find that you make a pit-stop back at the hotel during the day--it's still a pretty small island.

The petty crime thing is a nuisance, but it shouldn't deter anyone from having a wonderful time in Bonaire. Or anywhere, for that matter.

BTW, I'm liking the idea of super glue in the keyhole.

 

[Scared Silly]

However, Laguna Beach Resort charges a 7% surcharge if you pay for incidentals (Nitroix, bar tab, gift shop purchases, and tips) with a credit card.

I had a place do the above to me once. I got them the document the credit card surcharge. Two days later I called VISA and filed a complaint as part of the merchant agreement is that the merchant will NOT pass the card charges directly to the consumer**. Later I faxed VISA my receipt showing the surcharge and it was credited back to me.

**The merchant can offer a "cash discount". So if the price advertised is $1000 the merchant can charge you $975 for cash but the can not charge you $1025 once you present your card.