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Hotel Guests' Most Stolen Items - A Deep-Dive into the Latest Findings

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. -items-a-deep-dive-into-the-latest-findings.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 3:36 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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Hotel Guests’ Most Stolen Items – A Deep‑Dive into the Latest Findings

When travelers drop off their luggage at a hotel, they expect a safe, secure environment where their personal belongings are protected. Yet a recent investigation published by Travel + Leisure turns that assumption on its head, revealing a startling list of the most frequently stolen items from hotel rooms. The article draws on a comprehensive survey of hotel guests, industry experts, and law‑enforcement data, and it offers practical advice for both travelers and hotel operators to curb this growing problem.

The Core Study: Who Stole What?

The survey, conducted by a coalition of hotel chains and the Hospitality Security Network, sampled over 6,000 guests from more than 300 properties worldwide. Respondents were asked whether they had experienced theft during their stay, and if so, what items were taken. The results, compiled into a clear and unsettling ranking, are as follows:

1. Smartphones & Tablets – 34% of theft incidents involved a phone or tablet. The article notes that the ubiquity of high‑end smartphones makes them a prime target for opportunistic thieves.
2. Laptops & External Storage – 27% of guests reported a laptop or USB drive missing. Many guests carry their work or personal media on portable devices, which are often left unattended.
3. Cash & Credit Cards – 23% of theft cases involved currency or cards. The temptation for pickpockets in crowded city centers and the prevalence of unsecured cash led to a spike in this category.
4. Jewelry & Watches – 18% of thefts concerned fine jewelry, especially in high‑profile resorts.
5. Eyewear (Sunglasses, Prescription Glasses) – 14% of respondents lost their glasses, either because they were left on a nightstand or in a visible area.
6. Travel Documents (Passports, Visas, Insurance Papers) – 12% of thefts involved essential documents. In many cases, guests were unaware that these items were stored in a locked drawer rather than a secure safe.

The article emphasizes that while the percentages may seem low, the sheer volume of travelers worldwide translates into thousands of theft incidents each year.

Why These Items? A Look at the Underlying Patterns

The Travel + Leisure piece provides context for the high theft rates of certain items. Smartphones, for example, are not only valuable but also convenient for thieves to pocket and sell online. In contrast, cash is still the fastest way to liquidate stolen goods, and the article notes that thieves often act quickly before security footage can be reviewed.

Another key insight comes from the hotel staff: many thieves target rooms that are booked under “guest only” status, where the front desk has no record of who is staying. The article links to a Hotel Security Network white paper titled “The Insider’s Guide to Room‑Based Theft,” which details how some individuals exploit gaps in keycard tracking systems.

How Hotels Are Responding

The article quotes several hotel executives who have revamped their security protocols in light of the findings. One resort in the Caribbean, for instance, has installed motion‑sensing night‑lights and biometric door locks that only grant access to the keycard holder. The hotel’s manager states that “the goal is to deter thieves before they even get to the room.”

Other properties have begun offering free or discounted safes for guests. A chain in Europe, as highlighted in a linked Hotel Business article, now places TSA‑approved safes in every room and includes a “Safe‑Check” sign‑in at reception, so that guests can verify the safe’s contents before departure.

Security teams are also using data analytics to identify “hot spots” for theft. The article references a study by TripAdvisor that mapped theft incidents against city neighborhoods, helping hotels advise guests on safe travel routes.

Practical Tips for Travelers

The Travel + Leisure article is not just a sobering warning—it also offers a treasure trove of actionable advice for anyone planning a hotel stay:

1. Use the In‑Room Safe – Even if your hotel’s safe is small, use it for cash, passports, and high‑value electronics. If the safe is not provided, ask if one can be purchased.
2. Secure Your Phone – Store your smartphone in a lockable drawer or use a “hanging” phone holder that’s not easily accessible.
3. Keep Documents on a Nightstand – If you must leave them on a desk, use a lockable storage box or a small, inexpensive travel lock.
4. Limit What You Carry – Pack a small “travel bag” with just the essentials for the day, and leave the rest in your luggage. Consider a lockable, TSA‑approved bag for valuables.
5. Use Digital Copies – Store electronic copies of passports, insurance, and other important documents in a secure cloud service. The article links to a guide on “Digital Document Security for Travelers.”
6. Beware of “Keycard” Theft – If you notice someone attempting to duplicate your keycard (e.g., by holding a camera up to it), alert staff immediately. Many hotels now have anti‑cloning technology.

The article also suggests setting a budget for “travel insurance” that covers theft, noting that many hotels offer theft coverage as part of premium packages.

The Bigger Picture: A Call for Industry-Wide Change

At its core, the Travel + Leisure article argues that theft in hotels is a systemic problem that requires coordinated action from both hospitality operators and guests. By highlighting the most common stolen items, the piece draws attention to the gaps in current security practices—particularly the overreliance on keycard access and underuse of in‑room safes.

In closing, the article quotes a leading security consultant: “The simplest solutions—like ensuring every guest has access to a secure safe—can reduce theft incidents by up to 40%. It’s a small investment that pays off in guest satisfaction and brand reputation.”

Takeaway

The Travel + Leisure investigation delivers a stark reality check: a significant number of travelers fall victim to theft in hotel rooms, and the items most often targeted are those that can be easily concealed and quickly sold. By understanding the trends, adopting better in‑room safety practices, and staying vigilant, travelers can dramatically lower their risk. Hotels, in turn, must update their protocols, embrace technology, and educate both staff and guests to keep rooms safe for everyone.