keeping a laptop safe in a hotel room

[tabbycat31]

I'm traveling tomorrow and I need to bring a laptop with me (for reasons unrelated to the travel). Thing is that I am borrowing my mom's laptop for the time being and I'm super paranoid about it being stolen in a hotel room (comfort inn). Not bringing it is not an option at this point.

DUers who travel more frequently than I do-- how do you keep a laptop safe in a hotel room? I'm a bit paranoid about the safes. Is there a special place that you would keep it? I really don't want my mom's computer to be stolen.

[NightWatcher]

1. hide it in a dresser drawer under the blanket and extra pillow

but make it up to look all pretty so the staff wont touch it.

or

leave it in the manager's office

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I have left my laptop in hotel rooms many times...

Wide out, in the open...

Never had a problem. Never.

One thing I do though: I always tip the cleaning staff, every day, without fail.

Or you could do as the other poster suggested: hide it in a drawer under a blanket or pillow.

:shrug:

[Orrex]

3. Are you driving?

Can you lock it in the car's trunk?

[tabbycat31]

4. not driving

and my car does not have a trunk (SUV/Wagon depending on what you would call it)

[Orrex]

7. Then lock it in somebody else's trunk. But don't tell them--that would ruin the surprise!

Someone upthread suggested the manager's office, which seems like a good idea. They might offer some kind of secure storage for exactly your situation.

[Inspired]

5. If you are concerned, lock it in your luggage while you are away from the room.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. Ask the front desk if they have a secure location for leaving valuables.

I would not leave it out in the open in a hotel room. Most hotels discourage leaving valuables in the room and won't pay a claim if they have posted that guests should use a room safe or leave it with the desk/concierge.

It's a good idea to know what the hotel recommends so that in the off chance that someone steals it you know that you followed the recommended procedure and you may be in a better position to get compensated.

Any reason that you can't carry it with you when you're not in the room?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Those are good ideas...

Most room safes are not big enough to hold a laptop, unless it's one of those notebook things...

Maybe I've just been lucky to not have ever had a problem...

[Gormy Cuss]

10. My former employer made us liable for corporate laptops stolen in hotel rooms...

it made me a bit sensitive to the issue.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. I can readily understand that!

No wonder you were sensitive. I would be too...

[nolabear]

9. A bit late for this trip, but you can find luggage with false bottoms

that you can place the laptop in. It would take a serious room tossing to find it.

[mnhtnbb]

12. If you're that worried about it, take it with you when out of the room. It has a case, yes?

The other thing you can do is to put out your "do not disturb" sign and leave the TV on low to
make the room seem occupied. Most hotel personnel will not enter a room when the "do not disturb" sign is out.

[madmom]

13. This is what I always do.

[nickinSTL]

15. hmm...

I might try that in the future...

not only because I'm worried about leaving a laptop, but also because I hate having them change the towels if I'm only staying a couple nights. Seems like a complete waste.

I've even been in hotels that told you to leave what you needed washing on the floor - and had the cleaning staff STILL wash everything :eyes:

I don't need the bed made every day, either. Fine without that.

[Jkid]

14. I bring my laptop to the hotels in every anime convention in the DC area.

What I do is simple: leave a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign as soon as you enter the room. They will not enter the room for housekeeping if you keep the sign on the door.

[Ivan Sputnik]

16. I've never had a problem with that

I always just leave the laptop out on the table. No one has ever touched it. I suppose there's always a first time, but housekeeping staff do not want to lose their jobs, which is what would happen (probably instantly), not to mention police involvement, if you reported such a theft. If you're worried, take it with you or hide it in your clothing. Hotels and motels often have a place in the office where you can lock up valuables, too.

[doc03]

17. Hide it in the toilet tank nobody will

ever look there.:evilgrin:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. But then where do I hide the marijuana?

Maybe if it's a really big tank, not one of those green water saving things.

:hi:

[HopeHoops]

18. Get a laptop lock cable and hook it to something from which it can't be easily removed.

There's a little rectangular slot on the laptop (generally on the side near the back) that the cable fits into. If they've got a security cable for the TV, that's a perfect thing to attach it to. The headboard is also a good choice if it has a way for you to pass the cable through. Some rooms have couches or easy chairs with removable cushions. If there is framework inside, that's a good option. The coat rack bar will work if there's a shelf over it to set the laptop on. DO NOT use the plumbing. It would be the EXACT time a major plumbing failure would occur and soak your laptop (Murphy's Law).

[progressoid]

20. I travel with a lot of expensive equipment including a laptop.

I always use the Do not disturb sign. Have never had a problem. Maybe, I've just been lucky. :shrug: I'm also insured so I don't worry about it as much.

If you are concerned, you can always get one of those locks as stated above. I got one for our college daughter. They are pretty simple, yet effective. However, sometimes it's hard to find something to attach the lock to in the room.

[David19]

21. Keeping Laptops Safe in Hotel Rooms

Great question, and one not to be ignored. The theft of laptops is something everyone should keep in the back of their mind. Just Google the words "laptop stolen from hotel room" and you will see the issues. Now for the good news.

If the hotel has a safe that hold your laptop...USE IT@

If it does not, not to worry, several items are made to help you secure it.

Lock in Your Luggage
The cheapest way

Security Laptop Cables
These allow you to lock your laptop down, however, you cannot secure anything else - which for most people is fine.

Mobile Safes
These are great if you want to protect your laptop and other items like important files, camera gear, or other items. Several bags are on the market that are made to hold and lock down a laptop at a "left behind location" such as a hotel room, car trunk, office place, meeting room, etc. These bags come in all sizes from easy carry day packs, to small duffel bags, to obvious laptop cases. What makes these bags stand out from others is that the outer material of the bags have a braided steel mesh sandwiched between the bags inside and outside material. Then the bags have a 3 or 4 foot steel cable so you can lock the bag to a secure object.

Here is a website that has several of these bags - many of them have videos that show you how they work:
http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/laptop-security-gear-c-59.html?osCsid=2dc43d686006da7679b0d5bd5623bad2

Now you will be hard pressed to find a bag or device that will give you 100% security and nothing is guaranteed in life - and you also need to consider the fact that IF someone really wanted your laptop - they are going to get it. But realistically, by using one of these simple layers of laptop security, you should not have any problems. You are really protecting your laptop form the opportunistic thief - the most common.

Hope these ideas help!

[madinmaryland]

22. Welcome to DU!

:hi: