(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 1324 (relating to special arrangements for safe deposit of valuables), no hotelkeeper, whether individual, partnership or corporation, shall be liable for loss or damage to property suffered by a guest, unless the hotelkeeper fails to constantly maintain any of the following:

(1) A metal safe or vault in good order and fit for custody of money, bank notes, jewelry, gold or silver articles, precious stones, personal ornaments, railroad mileage books or tickets, negotiable or valuable papers and bullion.

(2) Suitable locks, bolts and fastenings on the doors, transoms and windows of the sleeping rooms used by guests.

(3) A copy of this section, posted and printed in distinct type in not fewer than 10 conspicuous places throughout the hotel or inn.

(b) Exception.--Notwithstanding compliance with subsection (a), a hotelkeeper is liable for property loss or damage if a guest delivers property for custody in the safe or vault and the hotelkeeper omits or refuses to accept it, deposit it in the safe or vault or provide the guest with a receipt, except that a hotelkeeper is not:

(1) obliged to receive from any one guest property exceeding a total value of $300; or

(2) liable for an amount in excess of $300, whether or not the property was actually received.

(c) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Hotel." The term includes apartment hotels.

"Hotelkeeper." The term includes apartment hotelkeepers.

Cross References. Section 1323 is referred to in sections 1324, 1326 of this title.