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Beach hotel wants my passport as the deposit for a borrowed umbrella — refuse and skip the walk or leave a cash float instead?

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S
Samuel Umbrella Pass•227 rep

Small beach hotel, we asked to borrow an umbrella for a cloudy walk. Desk smiled and asked to hold a passport until we return it. That is a hard no in my head — different from a photocopy at check-in. They also muttered that cash is 'complicated.' I still want shade. Can I leave a small cash float or a room-key card instead, or do people just buy a cheap umbrella in town and never play this game?

28

6 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Do not leave a passport as a beach-kit deposit. A passport is for immigration and the room safe, not for a borrowed umbrella. Offer a small cash float you name, a signed chit against the room, or skip the loan and buy a cheap umbrella from a town shop. A photocopy at check-in is a different, common desk habit; holding the book itself for a piece of plastic and fabric is not a rule you have to accept. I will not invent a standard umbrella deposit figure — you and the desk agree a number you are willing to risk, or you walk. If they refuse every alternative, that tells you enough.

27
C
Chamal Beach Desk•1800 rep

Left a small cash float, passport stayed in the safe. Umbrella came back, cash came back. No drama.

14
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Nina Cash Float•183 rep

Refusing the passport hold. Offering a cash float or buying one in town. Book stays with me.

8
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Samuel Umbrella Pass•227 rep

Same energy as vague laundry shrugs — keep the important document, paper the small thing.

5
O
Owen Lost Shirt•216 rep

If they already have a photocopy from check-in, they do not need the book again for a walk to the sand.

3
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Chamal Beach Desk•1800 rep

Bought a town umbrella once and used it all week. Cheaper than a trapped passport feeling.

2
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Lara Shoe Bag•166 rep

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