Passports- Should we let hotels keep them

deva

I always thought it was for Interpol or the European equivalent? I've always handed over when asked and occasionally left it there for full holiday as then had little need for safety deposit box.

However as someone mentioned in a number of countries you need photo id on you at all times so if you don't have your driving card you would need it ASAP.

peachyprice

I have been asked to leave it for a while, especially when lots of people are checking in at the same time, I've always asked for, and got it, back within a few hours, overnight at the most if we've arrived late at night.

I have also been asked to provide passport info before arrival.

peachyprice

!!!!!! wrote: »

It depends on how good the forgers are. Most need 3-4 hours to make a good copy so that is why they ask to keep the passport overnight.

That is not why they keep them, a lot of country's police require hotels to keep a copy of your passport on file until you leave and a lot of hotel's insurance companies require the same.

What difference would it make to a forger whether it were the actual passport or photocopy?

lovesgshp

In Italy, when I book into a hotel, then I have to give them my identity card, as do not carry the passport now. This is a requirement, as it is logged with the local police, to let them know where you are, in case of any problems.
It is also a requirement of B&B's to register guests that are staying with them. Everytime, it is, or should be available the next morning to take back, if you have been registered.

PeteDoff

Ganga wrote: »

We stayed at an appartment in Puerto Pollensa last year and we left our passports with reception for 24 hours, no problem,i am sure it is a legal requirment abroad,as i said it was no problem for us.

Ganga

Sure the hotel might have to register you but anywhere interesting it is more likely ypu are required to carry your passport with you.

PompeyPete

deva wrote: »

However as someone mentioned in a number of countries you need photo id on you at all times so if you don't have your driving card you would need it ASAP.

Whenever and wherever you are, you should always carry some ID with you when out and about.

On my passport photocopy I've also got BOLDLY written my Blood Group, and I also attach to the photocopy the calling-card for the accommodation I'm staying in, and write my room number on it.

If you're wandering off the beaten track from the accommodation it's also worth leaving a short note in the key pigeon-hole in reception mentioning where you're going and when you expect to return.

jimd-f

this is the advice i received from the Foreign Office a few years ago when i asked if i must hand over my passport when there is wording at the front of your passport saying you should never hand it over

"We have now received a reply from our post in Spain regarding handing in your passport to the hotel in Spain.

Hotels in Spain are obliged to ask you for your passport or residence card details for the Police. In some Hotels they do keep the passports overnight but just to give them time to do their administration without keeping the customer waiting. Other Hotels just ask to see it on arrival, take down the details or do a photocopy and give it straight back. Also if you are travelling with someone and are sharing the same room, Hotels just ask for one passport or residence card.

If you are concerned, you should carry photocopies for hotels or else insist that the hotel themselves takes a photocopy. There should then be no need for the actual passport to be handed over at all.



Travel Advice Unit
Consular Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office"

InsideInsurance

The only time I have had to give my passport over for anything significant length of time was when on a multi country cruise but they were doing all the immigration work for each of the countries we stopped at. Got the passport back at the end of the holiday and it had all the stamps of the different countries entry/exit in there.

In a couple of hotels elsewhere they have done "in the room" check in when they've then had to go for a few minutes with them as evidently there isnt a photocopier in the room but they've always been back quickly ' often along with drinks or wet towels etc