Leaving hotel keys at front desk

External Since: Aug 03, 2003 Posts: 3

I've noticed, especially when traveling in Latin America and in
Britain, that many of the inexpensive hotels and hostels require room
keys to be left at the front desk. This practice has always bothered
me a bit. Twice I have had things stolen from my room at hotels that
have this policy. This is especially bothersome at hotels that have a
locked front gate where you must ring a buzzer after hours to get let
in. The night watchman or desk clerk has got your key, and you're
locked out, there's no chance of you sneaking in and finding them in
your room. They rummage around until they hear the front door buzzer,
they walk out and lock the door and go downstairs to let you in.

I guess my question is why do some hotels require this? At some
places I've simply taken to walking by the front desk without leaving
my key. I've gotten some hard stares when I've come back in and waved
my key at them, but no one has ever stopped me from leaving without
dropping off the key. It just seems like an open invitation when you
leave your key with some squirrely-looking night watchman at the hotel
front door that says, "I'm leaving my room, please feel free to use my
key to rummage around while I'm gone!"

***********************************************

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the general population of only 3 to 5 years; indoor cats have an
average lifespan of 12 years and frequently live longer than 20
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(Karen L. Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D., Diplomate, American College
of Veterinary Behavior; Department of Clinical Studies School of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania)

"The hazards of the outdoors-automobiles, dogs, rival cats, poisonous
plants, infectious diseases, and fleas, to name but a few-are
compelling reasons to keep cats exclusively indoors."
(Dr. James Richards, Director, Cornell Feline Health Center,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York)

"Cats can be happily kept inside all the time"
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Animal Behaviour Clinic, Malvern Vie 3 144, Australia)

External Since: Aug 03, 2003 Posts: 2

A hush fell over the crowd when, Don Swenson <don.DeleteThis@hotmail.com>
stepped up to the podium and announced:

>I've noticed, especially when traveling in Latin America and in
>Britain, that many of the inexpensive hotels and hostels require room
>keys to be left at the front desk. This practice has always bothered
>me a bit. Twice I have had things stolen from my room at hotels that
>have this policy. This is especially bothersome at hotels that have a
>locked front gate where you must ring a buzzer after hours to get let
>in. The night watchman or desk clerk has got your key, and you're
>locked out, there's no chance of you sneaking in and finding them in
>your room. They rummage around until they hear the front door buzzer,
>they walk out and lock the door and go downstairs to let you in.
>
>I guess my question is why do some hotels require this? At some
>places I've simply taken to walking by the front desk without leaving
>my key. I've gotten some hard stares when I've come back in and waved
>my key at them, but no one has ever stopped me from leaving without
>dropping off the key. It just seems like an open invitation when you
>leave your key with some squirrely-looking night watchman at the hotel
>front door that says, "I'm leaving my room, please feel free to use my
>key to rummage around while I'm gone!"

I'd agree were it not for the fact that you're assuming that they
don't already have master keys to all the rooms. I doubt they need
your key to get into your room while you're gone. Maid service all
have master keys, if the cleaning people do, what prevents the rest of
the staff?