Sandara Hotel

[glenjean 2]

Fellow board members, please be aware of this hotel (Sandara Hotel),

It is located off of Soi Lengkee (Soi Lengkee is just off Soi Bouakuaw, at the intersection of Soi Bouakauw and Soi Diana. Soi Lengkee connects with third Road.

 

The Sandara Hotel sits back off Soi Lengkee just in front of a big hotel named The Vogue. It advertises itself as a boutique Hotel. It is small with around 8 to 12 rooms only.

 

I stayed at this hotel last month and I got ripped off. Someone entered my room and went into my in room safe and stole Money.

During this holiday I had traveled to Bangklok, stayed in Pattaya for 1 month in a condo. I had just returned from a week in the Philippines and checked into the Sandara Hotel for my final 5 nights.

 

I had a envelope with 23,000 baht inside and another envelope with $2100 US dollars all in one hundred dollar bills ($100).

 

I stayed at this hotel 5 nights and checked out at 4:00 am on the 6 th day. During my stay I was in and out of my safety deposit box daily, however after the third day I never counted each amount of currency exactly. I would just go into the envelope and take out baht or US dollars in the amount I would use for that day. Whenever I did this I saw quite a few bills inside, so I carried on enjoying my holiday.

 

The morning that I was leaving, I got up around 2:30 am, showered, shaved and packed and around 3:45 am a Mr. Tee Taxi driver was there to take me to the airport.

 

I got in the taxi tired, anxious, slightly excited and had many thoughts running through my mind, about my upcoming long flights, thoughts of going back home to cold winter weather in the USA, back to work in the real world. My holiday was coming to an end.

 

Riding in the taxi I started mentally reflecting, I had taken my possessions out of the safety deposit box. My passport, credit cards, paperwork for my e-ticket, my good watch and Ipod was there. Everything looked in place and all there. I had looked inside the envelopes at my money (however I did not count it) and it looked to be all there.

 

Once I arrived at the airport and went through all the check in formalities, immigration passport control and finally arrived at my boarding gate, I had time to start winding down and relaxing a little, I now had time to reflect and start to think more clearly. I started to take account of my things, I went inside the envelops to count how much money I had and to really check through my belongings. This is when I discovered that around six (6) 1000 baht notes and four (4) $100 US Dollar bills was missing. they were banking on my not counting my monmey or noticing teh missing bills until much later. hich is exactly what I did.

 

After the third day in the hotel there were no guest in my room, only the maid and any other hotel staff that had authorized excess into my room, So I know for a fact it could not have been anyone that I had brought into my room. It had to have been someone from the hotel staff or someone who had excess to my room key.

 

If it had been any one from outside the hotel, they would have stolen all of my possessions in my in room safe and maybe some things that were not locked up. They would have cleaned me out.

 

Anyway, a lesson was learned. In all of my trips to Thailand I have never had anything major stolen.

 

Please click on the site and link below (watch the first video that is

4:20 (four minutes and twenty seconds long. This video will explain why I truly feel that it was someone on the hotel staff or someone who had access to the room keys from the front desk that stole my money.

 

I contacted the hotel and explained what happened. I just wanted to hear their response. I did not expect any compensation or even admittance of wrong doing on their part. I was just curious to their reply.

Their reply was what I expected, they said that it had to be a guest that stole my money.

 

I then sent them the video link below and they did reply stating that they would do an investigation, however I have never heard from them again.

 

I patiently waited before I made this post to be fair to the hotel and not damage their reputation. Hopefully this post will alert all the board members to be a little more cautious with in room safes and to make the members aware of what my hotel experience was like.

 

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/safety-tips/category/hotel/tip/how-safe-are-hotel-room-safes

 

I have seen a Western Union office on Soi Bouakuaw that rents safety deposit boxes. Is this a safer option than small hotel in room safes?

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

 

[cicero1520 19]

Hard luck old boy.

I must say I was always vigilant when using those safes.

[teelack 9,352]

Last time in Pattaya I had cash on me and on the first day went off to the bank (150 metres away) and deposited it in my account and then drew down on it with my card as and when needed. Job done. Sure, I always keep about 5000 baht in the safe to pay overnight visitors etc. but knowing that motel safes are 'leaky' and not having a plan is a bit reckless.

 

By the way, I bank at the Kasikorn and beside the bank being so close there is a spot where I can see three Kasikorn ATM machines without moving. This has turned out to be such an easy solution for me.

[cicero1520 19]

By crikey Tee, you have expensive tastes.

[jacko 8,778]

Sorry to hear this.

I am guessing it was a basic electronic keypad safe with an over-ride key.

(Ithe keyhole often behind the batteries)

Sounds like someone with access to the key is a thief.

 

Other styles I have seen you need a laptop, interface software and a master password.

There has to be some way to open it as so many guests check-out leaving them closed and locked despite the notices to not do so.

There is also rumour that cheaper ones can be overcome by giving them a bump while turning the knob as the locking mechanism depends on gravity.

As a person who has suffered similar I am now always wary, and keep a record of what there is in there and rechecking it every few days,

[atlas2 4,329]

 

As a person who has suffered similar I am now always wary, and keep a record of what there is in there and rechecking it every few days,

 

Aye……..Typical Yorkshireman…….Can peel orange in't trouser pocket…….. So tight that when 'e farts only dogs 'ear it.

 

'Cepting when he's in't pool a'course…….. Yorkshireman's jacuzzi he calls that!!... Wakes up 'alf the darkside then as-like

 

………………………………………………….

 

Bloody cold again Jacko

I'm off for my dip.

The last few days the only way to warm my old bones after a swim is a mid-morning drive with the windows up and air-con off.

 

………………………………………………..

 

Now back to the thread.

 

If you don't trust the safe…...There are some good hiding places in hotel rooms. For money I've used the bottom seam of curtains……..hollow shower rails……cut out a small pocket of foam in a chair or cushion that had a zipped cover…….

Edited January 24, 2014 by atlas2

[jacko 8,778]

 

Aye……..Typical Yorkshireman…….Can peel orange in't trouser pocket…….. So tight that when 'e farts only dogs 'ear it.

 

'Cepting when he's in't pool a'course…….. Yorkshireman's jacuzzi he calls that!!... Wakes up 'alf the darkside then as-like

 

………………………………………………….

 

Bloody cold again Jacko

I'm off for my dip.

The last few days the only way to warm my old bones after a swim is a mid-morning drive with the windows up and air-con off.

 

………………………………………………..

 

Now back to the thread.

 

If you don't trust the safe…...There are some good hiding places in hotel rooms. For money I've used the bottom seam of curtains……..hollow shower rails……cut out a small pocket of foam in a chair or cushion that had a zipped cover…….

I am from Lancs actually Atlas.

It did happen to me in a hotel in Ubon, but not room same, lock ups behind reception.

Yes, 16 degC here and naught a ripple on my pool for a few days.

Those are obvious and unimaginative hiding places Atlas! I hollow out a turd and insert rolled up cash and leave it floating!

Edited January 25, 2014 by jacko

[atlas2 4,329]

I am from Lancs actually Atlas.

It did happen to me in a hotel in Ubon, but not room same, lock ups behind reception in Ubon.

Yes, 16 degC here and naught a ripple on my pool for a few days.

Those are obvious and unimaginative hiding places Atlas! I hollow out a turd and insert rolled up cash and leave it floating!

 

I used to work in a sewer…..I became an expert on turds.

I could always spot my wife's turd floating passed……….She used to tie my packed lunch to it.

 

As for your idea: I hollow out a turd and insert rolled up cash and leave it floating!

 

That only works if you've been eating corks.

[jacko 8,778]

 

That only works if you've been eating corks.

You can't hollow out regular ones?

[atlas2 4,329]

You can't hollow out regular ones?

 

Regular lack the buoyancy.

[braggsaw 2]

 

Same thing happened to me. There are thieves in this hotel. In my case I did not discover the theft until I was ready to depart for the airport. I had a flight to catch so did not have time to follow up the theft with the police. I did write to the manager, and got this reply.

 

Dear Khun David,

Thank you for your e-mail and I really apologized for this happening what
ever anywhere which you make it lost or you you think this happening at
our hotel which is no happening at our place before.

As I stated with you previously, You quite sure what you think and how
much money you have and we also quite sure that our place safty too.

As I have explain to you here the guests use code and key together, if
it's changed it's mean the guest's code will be locked and must be know by
the customers.

However, I don't think one of us will be openned to pick up the assets of
our customers it's lost our reputation and it's not good for the hotel.
For each guest we will not know how much money or assets do they have
until they statement to the hotel or keep it at the central safe.

I am sorry for your disappointed for this matter, all of us we clear to go
to the police station or you go to the report to the police station come
to investigate all of us or the guests who stay here to declare our
sincerely to you. Actually, I don't want this things happening at our
placee but how can I do more than this. I have informed you that next
time to be action somethings for your better feeling or to make you happy
I can give you our special rates and complimentary some for you, make you
happy more, and you have told me yesterday that some lost of money is not
much for you so you don't want to go to the police station for make a
report for claim at your conuntry.

I am truly care you because you are my customer and I will be strick and
investigate all even the guests who stay here from now on.

Hope you will understan for all my reasons and comments sir.


Best regards,

Penny

 

In my case I lost AU$700. In hindsight I should have pursued the matter, however hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[MM 6,562]

Same thing happened to me. There are thieves in this hotel. In my case I did not discover the theft until I was ready to depart for the airport. I had a flight to catch so did not have time to follow up the theft with the police. I did write to the manager, and got this reply.

 

 

 

Please clarify. Are you saying it was the same hotel, or was this another hotel where money was taken from your safe?

[MM 6,562]

 

 

Have you put this on tripadvisor.com or any other hotel review sites? I think it would be more effective on one of those.

[short 215]

 

Your writing style was too difficult for me to read but I would like to reinforce MM and say that if the hotel fucked you, please be sure to publish it where the most people will see it.

[braggsaw 2]

Same hotel. I have posted on Tripadvisor . That makes 2 thefts from this hotel.

 

Edited January 25, 2014 by braggsaw

[cicero1520 19]

Good work lads.

Expose the buggers, it is the only way.

[glenjean 2]

Dear Fellow Board Members ,

 

First off, I apologize for the way my topic was displayed without paragraghs. I took quite a long time writing and editing this post, however when I hit the post buttton it came about displayed with no paragraghs which makes it quite difficult to read and follow, for this I am truly sorry.

 

I have posted this on several other forums and also on trip advisor. It appears that at least 3 others have been duped and stolen from at this same hotel. Thanks for the replies and suggestions..

Be careful,

stay safe

[glenjean 2]

Up date (May 6, 2014) follow up to my posting.

 

I went back to the Sandara Residence Pataya Hotel on April 25, 2014 to speak face to face with the manager Ms Penne.

When she saw me she knew immeditely who I was and it was quite obvious that she was extremely nervous.

 

She greeted me warmly as if I were a regular frequent customer and old friend (I had only stayed here once in my life) .

She asked me if I wanted any water, coffe, tea or anything? She asked me where I was staying?

 

She did not bring up the subject of my stolen money. I had to bring it up and I asked what her investigation had turned up, she said that she was sure it was not any of her staff and it had to be a guest that I had brought to the room.

 

I know and knew that debating or arguing with a Thai National would not do me any good, so I asked to speak to her boss or for her to give me his name, address and contact details. She said that he lives in Bangkok and that he is very old. I then asked when he would be coming to Pattaya? She said that he does not come to Pattaya? I then asked her who her immediate boss was or to give me any contact details of her head offices? She did not answer this question? It was obvious that she was not going to give me any information. None of this surprised me. I then left the hotel without any further convesration.

 

I have chalked this up to experiene and have moved on, however I will post my experience on every forum that I can, hopefully it will warn / alert and help other travellers.

 

Note * if you were do go to trip advisor you will read and see that 4 others including two familes have had money stolen from this hotel as recently as last month April 2014, in similar fashion that happend to me and others.

[short 215]

Is over priced for its location also.

[ZARIS 20]

there is little doubt that someone with access to the key ( front desk ) has stolen your cash.There are too many individual notes missing for you to have counted wrong.

 

You won't get your money back but on your return visit I would have got the police involved.I would have requested the police question the front of house with me present.Even if you could not get this to happen I would tell the front desk that you have filed a report to the police and they will be questioned.

I have actually done this different hotel- in phuket about 8 years ago , once discovering $200 missing from the safe I told front office I was going to the police to report it and requested a list of front office staff in the last 24 hours. Of course this was ignored/pretend it can't happen etc.I also required them to call the housekeeping staff to check if they had "picked up" any cash in the room.This gave them an out to save face.

 

Miraculously the maid had "found" $200 "under the bed" sir. We will refund you and get it from her later.

 

The other time I had cash stolen from the room was $ 50 from a shirt pocket in the wardrobe. I said nothing but that is not my life policy anymore.

 

By failing to protest in a legal manner you are just letting the crims get away with it.

 

As consumers we do not have to allow ourselves to be reamed, but we can chose to.

[Grandpollo 366]

He should also report the theft of his return key on his computer or smart phone or the after the fact theft of paragraphs.

[Butch 3,456]

In room safes are notoriously easy to crack, either by having a default access code (000000) or even by hitting them hard on the top can force them open. Simply google them on "Youtube" and see what I mean.

 

Also, bear in mind that a hotelier will have the same access code for all the safes so his staff can open them anytime , for example when one guest leaves without resetting it and leaving the door open. Factor in that they will also be using the cheapest safes as well, because if you have 25+ rooms they'll aim to save cash and get the cheapest available.

 

For the sake of 20 minutes hassle it's best to open an Account at Kasikorn, or failing that hide your money within the room itself or inside your suitcase lining perhaps.

 

It's never nice to hear someone's holiday is ruined due to their stuff getting nicked, & it serves as a lesson for the rest of us to be more careful.

[jacko 8,778]

Sorry Butch but only a poor hotel would not employ some security wrt their hotel safes. Generally it is a rouge employee who has been given access details by a lazy manager. I feel better when I can see a warning notice saying safes cannot be opened by staff outside normal hours.

I don't believe many models have a default access code, perhaps an access key behind the batteries, which came with the safe and can be controlled. Thais are sloppy in that regard. When I couldn't get in the safe at the Thai Royal Garden, as the previous guest had left it locked, 2 people arrived with a computer, connected to the safe, and one guy had to move away as the senior person entered codes. I think that is what you meant above.

 

I personally haven't lost anything from a safe, but I have from a lock up type box where padlocks were used.

You are right though, coming back to a hotel and finding all your spending cash has gone will ruin your vacation...a first time tourist will not be thinking of opening a bank account and will trust an in-room safe. And travellers cheques are on the way out.

Strangely I saw a lot of old-style safes being sold in BigC South recently.

Edited June 22, 2014 by jacko

[MM 6,562]

Bitch? No need to be rude!

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[zyphur 31]

Getting robbed like this is probably more distressing than getting mugged as you naturally expect your money to be ok in a safe but as other BM's have said, it is pretty easy to get into most of these small hotel safes. Breaking into In-room safes and strongboxes is becoming an all too frequent occurrence in the smaller hotels it seems, so carrying large sums of cash around is always a potential problem. Using your home based single currency credit card at ATM's or in shops will get you robbed by the card company on exchange rates and associated charges. Opening a bank account in the country you are visiting is also not necessarily convenient or simple and with the demise of the Travelers Cheque, what do you do with the money you bring with you? One suggestion that may help some people is to use a multi-currency lodgement card and just draw down on it when needed. Again not for everyone but it does have its benefits as just like any card, you can always carry it with you at all times and it is protected by a PIN. Apparently not available to obtain in every country, but its catching on and you use them just like a normal credit card. Just do a search under 'multi-currency lodgement card' if anyone wants more info.