Hotel's security<\/p>\n
Starting in the late 19th century, the Savoy Homann Hotel in
\nBandung has been host to kings, princes and dignitaries from
\naround the world. It has been considered a four star hotel and
\neven received ISO 9002 accreditation. Lately, however, perhaps
\nbecause of changes in ownership and management, or because of the
\nmonetary crisis, the quality has slipped away. The hotel
\namenities are almost invisible. The gift shop cum drugstore is a
\ncupboard in the aging \"business center office\" which charges
\noutrageous prices for the uncomfortable use of their antiquated
\ncomputer and business machine.<\/p>\n
Granted, the kitchen is still staffed by good cooks and caring
\nhopeful staff who serve a tasty although limited selection of
\neastern and western food. On the same level, actually only a few
\nfeet away, there is a rat-infested garden with a fishpond and a
\nfew birdcages with beautiful birds. The sight of rats dashing
\nabout from burrow to burrow while snatching spilled bird food is
\nunnerving.<\/p>\n
Getting back to one's room, one finds that there are major
\ndeficiencies. The realization that those strange pellets in the
\nbathroom are most likely rat droppings is astonishing. It quickly
\nbecomes obvious that the cleaning staff are not well-trained,
\nforgetting to replenish the many little things in one's room. One
\nday there is no shampoo, for several days there are no bags for
\nlaundry, at other times the complimentary tea or coffee is
\nmissing and the bottled water supply is always short. These
\nthings are annoying and not worthy of a renowned hotel.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately there is also evidence of systematic
\ncriminality. By this I mean that the management actively
\nparticipates in illegal behavior. The showing of pirated movies
\non one of the hotel's channels (5) is an indication of this.<\/p>\n
For real criminal activities, we have to again look to the
\nstaff. Small things are generally safe in your room but it is my
\npersonal experience that a large expensive item, like a lap-top
\ncomputer, is not safe even for short times. If not locked up for
\nevery minute that you are not in your room, it vanishes with no
\ntrace. Don't expect to recover any valuables and don't even try a
\npolice investigation. The hotel will first search your room to
\nsee that you are not the thief, and then when you insist on a
\npolice report, they take you to the station to give your name and
\naddress, and you get a piece of paper stating that you lost the
\ncomputer on the street. Since my lap-top was stolen from my room
\nwith no evidence of forced entry, I can only assume that the
\nhotel is somehow involved, particularly since their main
\nobjective is to \"keep it quiet\" and not pursue the thief. Then,
\nwhen the question of compensation comes up, the hotel flatly
\ndenies any responsibility and hides behind \"its rules\" that all
\nvaluables be kept in the hotel safe.<\/p>\n
Given that a computer is as important for doing business as
\nclothing, one should really keep one's luggage in the lock-up as
\nwell. Obviously insider thieves can walk into your room at any
\ntime and walk off with any of your belongings when you are away.
\nWhat then is the traveler paying for when he or she rents a room
\nin a hotel. The answer should be \"security\".<\/p>\n
OLEH KUTOWY<\/p>\n
Ottawa, Canada<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hotels-security-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }