Hotel - ? theft /? rights

nonnee27

Hi there,

I'm a bit of a lurker on here. I'm hoping for some advice with the folllowing. I'll try to make it short!

We married in Las vegas. The day we returned I emailed the hotel as we had (stupidly) left some items in the room. Some (expensive) brand new toiletries and most importantly a special book from our wedding meal that all out friends and relatives had put messages in.

I was promptly emailed back to say they had the items marked and gave me a number to call to arrange shipping.

Several unsuccessful and vague calls/emails later and I had still not spoken to the relavent person. Weeks had passed. On finally talking to the security manager i was informed that our items had been "donated".

Basically gone forever. I realise we will never get these items back.


The correspondence received included an email to me admitting fault and apologising, also saying that the previous man in charge of that dept was no longer employed. It said the items had been marked but were donated anyway.

I was offered 2 nights free accommodation.

I don't feel this is enough considering the sentimental value of this book.

Basically do you think I should push for more, and do I have a legal leg (US law) to stand on if I take this further?

Thanks in advance if anyone has any opinions on this.

Rhiannon

Brooker_Dave

nonnee27 wrote: »

I was offered 2 nights free accommodation.

I don't feel this is enough considering the sentimental value of this book.

If it only has sentimental value why are you expecting more?

They've been more than generous enough.

Equaliser123

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

If it only has sentimental value why are you expecting more?

They've been more than generous enough.

Thought you were banned???

Anyway, again rubbish advice.

They had a duty to look after your property. They didn't. They now need to compensate you for the loss. Quantification is a different issue.

dmg24

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

If it only has sentimental value why are you expecting more?

They've been more than generous enough.

Evening stranger, good to have you back with us.

Equaliser123 wrote: »

Thought you were banned???

Anyway, again rubbish advice.

They had a duty to look after your property. They didn't. They now need to compensate you for the loss. Quantification is a different issue.

I agree with the duty of care argument, but we need to remember that we are dealing with a different jurisdiction, so the OP needs to take advice as to whether the same principles would apply and how he would enforce his rights (if indeed he does have any).

Equaliser123

dmg24 wrote: »

I agree with the duty of care argument, but we need to remember that we are dealing with a different jurisdiction, so the OP needs to take advice as to whether the same principles would apply and how he would enforce his rights (if indeed he does have any).

yep - agreed.

BlueAngelCV

Where were they "donated"?

The toiletries I can understand but who would want your wedding book?!

Bloomin_Freezing2

Maybe you could request they send you a new book, which you can pass round friends and relatives to re-write messges in. I know it's not the same, but it's all you can do I think.

The toiletries, I'd let that go, afterall, it was you who left them in the first place. I'm sorry but if they were all such valuable items (both money wise and sentimentally) you should've taken more care.

Torby

not sure if they have a "small claims" type of thing in the US or what sort of "action" you intend taking with them....either way, it may be more costly as its unlikely to be cost effective as the courts are unlikely to find in your favour if you dont turn up....

as someone else suggested....a new book to circulate amongst friends and perhaps press them for more than 2 nights, explaining it costs a fortune to get from here to the states AND only to go for 3 days....better still push for a fortnight....lol...

Brooker_Dave

Equaliser123 wrote: »

They had a duty to look after your property. They didn't.

OP failed to look after her own property.

Hotel put its hands up and offered 2 free nights.

What more do you honestly expect them to do?

view

I think a monetary compensation would be better. What use is two night's accomodation if you hadn't planned (or weren't able to afford) to go back to LV, if this was a once in a lifetime trip? Will they offer compensation for flights? Have you checked your insurance doesn't cover this? If it was in a safe but left behind, I'm not sure if this would be covered or not.

I think you should walk away - as annoying as it is - toiletries are toiletries. The wedding book is more of an issue - however, it's gone now and nothing will get it back, the advice someone gave above about seeing if you can send the book around, not ideal but might be able to capture some of the heartfelt comments.

You mentioned you've discussed this with the Security Manager, I think you need to redicuss with the Hotel Manager. Keep all correspondence - smells fishy they confirmed they had your items and then got rid of them. Tea leaf I imagine.

I do think you should be entitled to some compensation due to the fact they confirmed they had found your items and enaged conversation with you to arrange for shipment and then 'lost/donated/kept for themselves' the items.

Is it a large chain hotel? Could they offer you two nights at a UK hotel in the same chain?

I agree also you should have taken more care, however, you had just been married, emotions were probably high and you're not thinking straight during such an emotional time that things like this happen.

Equaliser123

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

OP failed to look after her own property.

Hotel put its hands up and offered 2 free nights.

What more do you honestly expect them to do?

Did you not read the original post? They had the items but lost them.

How does 2 free nights accomodation help?