When staying in a hotel or rental in 2026, hiding valuables requires thinking outside the obvious "under the mattress" box. The room safe is the standard choice, but for extra security, consider "decoy" spots. A hollowed-out hairbrush or a cleaned-out sunscreen bottle is a classic hiding place for jewelry or cash that thieves rarely check. You can also tape envelopes to the underside of a heavy desk or dresser drawer, or tuck items inside the zippered lining of a suitcase stored in the closet. If the room has a mini-fridge, hiding small items in the back behind a soda can can be effective. Another creative spot is inside the ironing board cover or tucked into a pair of rolled-up, "dirty-looking" socks in your laundry bag. The most important rule is to avoid the "visible" spots like the bedside table or the top of the desk, and to always use the "Do Not Disturb" sign if you are leaving high-value items in the room while you are out exploring.