As modern society becomes more and more technological, historically overlooked security options such as hotel in-room safes have become a necessity. Though many hi-tech gadgets, such as cell phones and PDAs, barely leave a person's side, many also bring high ticket technological supplies such as laptops that may not leave the room. This is on top of the more traditional valuables such as money, credit cards, and jewelry.

While the obvious focus is your guests from the business arena, even families are becoming increasingly dependent on valuable technological devices such as laptops and video cameras. Also, with increasing worries about identity theft, providing hotel room safes to stow valuables gives your guests peace of mind. To maintain a security edge, you should:

1. Ensure the in-room safe is as advanced as the valuables it is protecting.
2. Choose an in-room safe design that is visually appealing.
3. Maximize your budget by looking for bulk pricing and other cost saving opportunities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the most up to date hotel and motel room safes your budget allows

You want to provide a true sense of security to your guests. Just the presence of an in-room safe is not enough. If it doesn't deter thieves and give your guests to most up to date and dependable security, it will be no more than another cabinet.

I recommend: Kooltech provides a range of designs with the height of security, including a "Kool Logger" accessory that provides high caliber access and organization for your safes, such as emergency unlocking access and a record of the last 400 events for each safe. VingCard Elsafe provides optimum security with safes with proprietary interlocking mechanisms and anti-tamper labyrinths in all of their wide array of models. They also offer optional SafeLink software which enable electronic overrides and safe event audits.

Ensure the visual appeal of your choice of hotel and motel in-room safes

For your safe to be most effective, it should be placed in a prominent area of the room. In such a visible location, you want to make sure your choice of hotel room safe is as pleasing to look at as it is secure.

I recommend: Every Safe offers a wide array of sizes and styles of wall mounted safes in various colors. BUYaSafe.com offers a variety of eye appealing streamlined models in brown, cream, grey, and black.

Find a manufacturer of in-room safes that offer price breaks for high volume orders

While you hope to offer the best security for your guests, the reality is always that you need to fit your security needs into your existing budget. For the most cost-effective solution, look for suppliers of in-room safes that offer bulk pricing and other price breaks. Even small breaks will add up when ordering enough safes to stock your business. It will allow you to maximize your quality while still maintaining your budget.

I recommend: United Safes Corporation offers free shipping on every safe. Hospitality Safe offers an innovative 60 month pricing plan with a flat rate monthly fee and a final purchase price of only one dollar per safe.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make a long term security plan. As technologies improve, you should consider updating your safes at regular intervals.