WARNING My passport disappeared at this hotel. My passport was scanned when checking in and returned to me. My son and I were then shown to our room by the Bellman. He showed us into the room and gave us a short room orientation. Then, within 2 minutes of the Bellman leaving the room we noticed my passport was missing. We searched the room, which was easy as it was basic and clean, the passport was nowhere to be found. We informed the hotel, the receptionist came and we re-searched the room.
I went to the lobby and asked for the manager, who I never got to see (we only messaged). While there I made calls to find out my next steps. I could not get privacy to call as the Bellman followed me while I was calling.
I asked to see the CCTV of my check-in and walk to the room. These were made available, they showed the passport being returned to me, it goes into my pocket and then an unhindered short walk to the room. We all agreed that the passport was in my possession when the 3 of us entered the room. A few minutes later it had gone.
I`m a careful traveler. This passport has travelled to 5 continents with me. But I wasn`t aware of how devastating not having a passport is. Besides having to visit a Consulate, get photos taken, go through an extensive emergency travel document application. We had to cancel 2 flights and 3 tours.
The 2 minutes when the passport disappeared ruined the trip for us. We had to stay in Cartagena longer than planned & we on moved to another hotel.