Hotel lost property experiences

[RooFlyer]

I recently left something behind at the Shangri-La in Sydney and had mixed experiences with the hotel subsequently. Perhaps others would like to recount their own good and bad experiences with losing/leaving things at hotels.

I checked out of the Shangri-La in Sydney, and when I got to the Qantas lounge at the airport, found my airpods case wasn't in my carry-on. I thought then that they would be in my checked bag, as I had done my usual thorough sweep of the room (including under the bed) before I left it at the SL, but when I got home - nothing. By this time it was late, so the next morning I called the SL to report the loss. Fortunately the room was still unoccupied and hadn't yet been cleaned, so the head of housekeeping sent someone up. 30 mins later I got a call - success!! Head of housekeeping lady was very nice, said she'd send me an e-mail giving me several options to return the airpods to me.

It was a generic e-mail basically saying 1) pick it up from hotel, 2) use their courier or 3) arrange Australia Post myself. I chose 2), specifying non express. They said they'd send a payment link and then send on.

The payment link was for $56 . They said they use just one courier company ... so its obviously a baked-in rip-off (by the courier mob). I called and changed it back to Aust Post - I'll post them a pre paid satchel. A bit inconvenient, but I hate being ripped off.

So - Shangri-La. Good service for finding the thing and in dealing with me over the phone, not so good in passing on very expensive courier charge. Assuming I do get the thing back, this will be the first time I have ever had anything I left at a hotel returned to me. Every other time I've called, its been "sorry, not found". How have you fared?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

1. Checked into Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel one time and was informed ‘Me Elite you left some property in your hotel safe when you checked out last month - we will deliver to your room shortly’.

20 minutes later knock on the door and I was hand delivered an envelope with CNY600 inside (about AD120 I think at time). Apparently I left in floor of safe when I cleaned out travel wallet etc - I seriously had no idea.

2. I travel to annual Eurobike Trade Show in Friedrichshafen Germany for last 10 years - I always stay at Hotel Halm in Konstanz Germany and cross the lake by ferry to and fro trade show daily.

Veronika has been Reservations Manager at Hotel Halm entire time and I have gotten to know her reasonably well - she has a wicked sense of humour. When I checked out after 2018 show I left some jocks and socks in the room - later I received a text message from Veronika saying ‘Cruiser you left your underwear at my place!’

A second text message said ‘LOL - we normally only retain left items for 6mths but your underwear is always safe with me’. I missed 2019 show due to date changes which caused a date clash I could not get around and COVID stuffed 2020 - I have room booked for 2021 show but looks like that will be a downer too - still Veronika has assured me she is keeping my underwear safe and secure for me until next visit.

 

[Happy Dude]

Over the years, I've left laptop chargers in hotels in three occasions and each time I was told "Sorry Sir, nothing was found". Presumably it was too much bother.

 

[flyingfan]

Stayed at a 4-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur and left some electronics behind - told staff exactly where I'd boneheadedly left it but they couldn't get it for me. Disappointing but I guess that's punishment for being forgetful.

Stayed at the Fountainside in Hobart (now student accommodation I see) and left glasses behind. Rang them up and they said they'd be happy to post it back upon receipt of a paid envelope. Sent it to them and got it back shortly thereafter.

Have come across other people's left-behind chargers, socks and panties...

 

[kpc]

Left my favourite jacket in my room in Hilton Grand Abu Dhabi a few years ago...only realised a week later when I got back to Sydney and couldnt find it for dry cleaning. Rang hotel and they said housekeeping had found it and it was now in Lost and Found. How did I get it back? A fellow traveller / AFF / FB traveller group member picked it up for me 6 weeks later and posted it back to me in Sydney ftom Gold Coast