Using a hotel room safe provides a basic layer of security against "crimes of opportunity," such as a dishonest staff member or a quick intruder, but it should not be considered an impenetrable vault. Most hotel safes use a master code or a physical override key held by management, which creates a potential vulnerability if those credentials are compromised. Furthermore, many models are simply bolted to a wooden shelf rather than the building's structure, meaning a determined thief could theoretically remove the entire unit. For high-value items like expensive jewelry or large sums of cash, the hotel's front desk vault is technically more secure. However, for everyday protection of passports and spare electronics, the room safe is generally better than leaving items in plain sight or tucked into a suitcase, provided you set a unique code and ensure the door is properly locked.