I wouldn't ask for compensation for things I could have done, I would ask for compensation for things that were pre-paid and lost, compensation for time spent doing something you wouldn't normally do - like refund 2 days at a hotel that were spent making loss calls instead of enjoying the facility, etc. Example, if I went to Disneyland, paid for my ticket, and then got locked in the bathroom for 8 hours I would want the cost of admission refunded, for sure. I would ask for compensation for any out of pocket expenses directly related to the loss, I"m not sure specificaly what those losses were but if you had to go home and lost out on a pre-paid 200 dollar spa package because you didn't have the $$ to hang around and get to it, then I would ask for that too. If I just "planned" to go to a spa, then no - that has no value. I would ask for 1 week hotel accomodation to replace the week you lost, out of courtesy. Meals - no. Plans - no. Time you have to wait to get refunded for losses - be happy, at least you're getting it back.

I would tell the hotel that I would be "satisfied" with one weeks worth of accomodation for the inconvenience, but "delighted" with two.

I think what you should expect is that the hotel employee be fired, and arrested and jailed for the theft with your property returned to you.

What you think you should get is another matter.

I had my purse stolen while I was in Australia. It did not cause me to cancel my whole vacation. American Express sent me via Federal Express a replacement card as did Visa and Bank of America as my debit card was also stolen.
I was inconvenienced for a couple days while cancelling everything and waiting for the new cards, but it most certainly didn't cause me to get on the next flight home. I didn't have travelers checks as I feel they are a nuisance these days when traveling and didn't really have cash on me (only about $30 local currency). For those couple days, I just had meals in the hotel and charged them to my room and did things around town that were free.
I guess I am at a loss as to why you think you are owed a whole two week vacation when other than a couple days inconvenience while waiting for cards you thought you had to cancel the whole trip.

Its sort of a bit like you can post a question on an internet forum and you can expect that people will confine themselves to the narrow focus of your question but that expectation has very little resemblance to the reality of what will occur.

I think what purpledog is getting at is the opportunity cost of his time off and vacation forgone.. He is asking it in units that the hotel can provide.

I understand in the US court of law, punitive damages could very well be rewarded. Legal costs, and the trouble of going court, purpledog and the hotel may want to try and settle this before it gets any further.

Right or Wrong.. purpledog has the right to make an offer and go from there.. see what the hotel will offer.. at the end try and split it down somewhere in the middle and move on.. This is not worth spending anymore of your time and the hotel may want to offer something that is a bit more than fair so that you can be a bit happier.

Sorry to see that this happened to you.. I wouldn't feel any better in the same situation, nor would my think be as clear as it should.

Personally I think it's very uncool to go back and delete not only your original post, but also all of your subsequent posts. This is a forum for exchanging information about traveling, and threads like this add to the knowledge base for all who participate. Deleting your side of the conversation takes away from the spirit of this community. I hope if you continue to stay and participate, you won't delete your side if things when people give you answers you don't want to hear.

In Purple Dogs defense, the first response to his post was not very welcoming....

I will assume he is now blowing kisses to the FT community, me in particular, because I was nice and just answered the question. :D

It was a totally wretched thing to have happen. I hope PD posts in the future with the outcome from the situation and that the thief is punished appropriately. Plus, being naturally curious, I want to know what hotel it was. PD can PM me :cool: