Hey fellow travelers — wanted to get some perspective on a recent situation in Athens. Just returning back from a great week away with my wife. In Athens for an overnight prior to our flights to return to the states. Decided to try a new hotel, well reviewed and seemed to be in a great area close to Plaka . Come to find out that the road it was on was essentially pedestrian only. Had to walk with my wife across a square with my luggage — lots of people out having lunch so we were rather obvious tourists heading to the hotel. Door opens, doorman gives us a nice hello and takes our bags off to the side of the very small entrance hall. My wife and I sit down at the front desk and start the process of getting our rooms. Bags were 10 feet away from me. 2 men come in — one stands beside me and asks the other desk worker to see if any rooms were available and she began to check. I looked over to ask my wife something and I noticed that one of the bags, and the 2nd guy, were gone. I was pretty confused for a second as I didn’t know if the bellman had taken it so I asked my wife where her bag was ... few seconds of head scratching then I realized what had happened. My wife ran out looking for him with the doorman and I questioned the other guy who stated he didn’t know the thief. At some point he left as I asked the manager to call the police.

So so I became the classic Athens tourist victim in a millisecond. Police came, video from the hotel showed the whole crime clearly and the 2 men were working together.

Offical report placed to the tourist police who said that 28 thefts had occurred just this morning ... we stopped in at 2 pm 😞

I like to think of my wife and I as experienced travelers as we’ve been all over south east Asia and Europe multiple times ... we also lived overseas for 4 years.

This act was brazen and completely unexpected (although no theft is expected I guess). Our error was not truly having hands on ... but when does responsibility for
the luggage become the hotel’s? They took our luggage while we checked in. It wasn’t “stored” immediately — I think back to how many times this maneuver of “let us take your bags we’ll hold them for you”, or “they’ll be brought up to your room” conversation has taken place. No ticket was provided ... it was quite informal and quick this time.

I’ll know we won’t get the bag back. It definitely had personal and valuable items in it (essentially a purse) and it was only 5 feet from my wife. We learned an expensive lesson — the hotel has been appropriately concerned
and helpful. Any thoughts appreciated.

Hopefully the hotel will help with your luggage. If it’s a known problem, then should obviously secure it while it’s on their premises. A Tripadvisor review should indicate these problems.

Thanks for the heads up, have Hilton reservations, next month.

staying there

I thought this may have been happening as well (unfortunately in hindsite). The manager and front desk personnel stated it was the first theft they have had from their hotel in this manner — they were helpful (comped the room, free food/bottle of wine, and paid for a taxi to take me to the tourist police station and back to report the crime. I hesitate to badmouth the place on line. I still think I’m an optimist and that this was a bad luck event for me, not a recurring scheme on tourists checking in. The police did not mention any similar incidents at the hotel in the past. Just a random day where we missed our flight to Istanbul, decided to stay overnight in Athens. A week ago we stayed at the Grande Hotel Bretagne but wanted a smaller boutique place this time, last minute. Was not the Hilton btw.
i think I could have elevated the discussion to who’s fault it was since the bellman had “taken” our bags but the layout of the check in area was such that we were distracted and the exit door was close — we were directly adjacent to a square with lots of cafes and people. I was the unsuspecting antelope with a bunch of tigers around I’m afraid.

i did discuss better baggage management to the staff so this didn’t happen to others. Lessons learned — Athens indeed is a place to be on guard, at all times. Just ask any local and the stories are sad and sometimes eye opening. I wouldn’t stay at the small places next time — big flashy places for me 😂. Still love Greece though . Milos and Crete already planned for next summer 👍