On our first trip to SXM, we stayed at Le Meridien in Anse Marcel. We brought a large amount of cash with us as we had heard about the dollar for euro specials at the restaurants, and didn't know that in most cases travelers checks were just as good as cash. We always left the cash in the safe when we went out. One night we got back from dinner and realized that we had left the safe not only unlocked, but wide open. Inside were $2,000 in cash, $2,000 in travelers checks, both passports, digital camera, jewelry, and cell phones. Nothing was touched, even though the maid had definitely been in the room (clean towels and bed turned down).

Same trip, we got to the airport to leave and realized we had left our camera in the rental car. I went to the Hertz desk and told them, they called the lot, and within 5 minutes a driver was back with the camera. When I tried to tip him, he smiled and refused my money, telling me to "just come back again."