When staying at a hotel, you’ll find certain items are meant to take home while others must stay put. You can pack the complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee supplies, stationery items, and unused food from the mini-bar. Key cards can serve as nice souvenirs. The hotel expects you to leave all bedding, towels, bathrobes, decorative items, furniture, and kitchenware in your room. Taking these items counts as theft and may result in extra charges on your bill. Understanding these distinctions helps guarantee a smooth check-out and maintains the hotel’s trust in its guests. Let’s investigate the specifics of what belongs in your suitcase.
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Key Takeaways
- Complimentary toiletries, including miniature soaps, shampoos, and lotions, are specifically intended for guests to take home after their stay.
- Room stationery, pens, notepads, and beverage supplies like tea bags and coffee packets are free for guests to keep.
- Hotel bedding, towels, bathrobes, and room furniture are strictly prohibited from being taken and can result in theft charges.
- Decorative items like artwork, vases, and kitchenware must remain in the room to avoid additional charges on checkout.
- Room key cards are generally acceptable souvenirs, while unused mini-bar snacks can be taken if included in room rate.
Hotel Items You Can Take Home
1. Soap and Shampoo
The miniature soaps and shampoo bottles in your hotel room are absolutely yours to take home.
These complimentary hotel toiletries are meant for guest use, and the cost is already included in your room rate.
You’re free to pack both opened and unopened items, as proper guest etiquette allows this practice.
Hotels even encourage taking branded products since it helps spread their name.
These travel-sized items are perfect for camping and trips, making them valuable to save for future adventures.
2. Tea and Coffee
Hotel guests can freely take tea and coffee supplies from their rooms without worry.
Checking with the front desk staff can help clarify which specific tea and coffee items are complimentary at your hotel.
The complimentary varieties include tea bags, instant coffee sachets, sugar packets, and powdered creamers.
Hotel etiquette allows you to take single-use items from your assigned room, but never from common areas or lobbies.
Remember to leave reusable items like coffee makers and filters behind.
3. Paper and Pens
Designed as both practical amenities and marketing tools, paper and pens in your hotel room are completely free to take home.
These guest amenities serve as mementos of your stay and help spread brand awareness.
Extra pen and pad can be particularly useful during future travels. You’ll find most hotel stationery items conveniently placed in your room for your use, and you’re welcome to pack them in your suitcase when you leave.
4. Bible
Sacred texts placed in hotel rooms, particularly Bibles provided by Gideons International, are free for guests to take home.
Wisconsin business leaders first pioneered the practice of providing Bibles in hotel rooms in the early 1900s.
While Bible placement in hotels has declined from 95% to 79% since 2006, many properties maintain this tradition.
Religious inclusivity has led some hotels to offer various sacred texts at the front desk instead, meeting the spiritual needs of guests from different faiths.
5. Disposable Room Slippers
Inside hotel rooms across the globe, disposable room slippers represent one of the most common complimentary items you can freely take home.
These single-use slippers come in various disposable slipper materials, including EVA, coral fleece, and pure cotton. You’ll find eco-friendly options too.
Hotels discard used slippers anyway, so feel free to pack them in your suitcase.
6. Other Promotional Items
Many luxury hotels deck out their rooms and facilities with promotional items that you’re welcome to take home.
These promotional giveaways often include branded merchandise like custom tote bags, phone wallets, power banks, and travel accessories.
You’ll find practical items such as reusable straws, eco-friendly travel kits, and playing cards – all designed to remind you of your stay.
Hotel Items Not to Take Home
1. Towels and Sheets
Despite their luxurious feel, hotel towels and sheets must stay right where they belong – in your room when you check out.
Hotels maintain these items with special towel maintenance practices, including vinegar-based cleaning and precise drying methods.
Taking these linens is considered theft and disrespects ethical linen use policies.
You’ll face charges and risk being blacklisted if you pack them in your suitcase.
2. Bathrobes
Similar to towels and sheets, plush hotel bathrobes belong to the property and aren’t meant to be packed in your suitcase.
Proper bathrobe etiquette means leaving these cozy items hanging in your room after use.
If you’ve fallen in love with the comfort, many hotels offer purchasing options ranging from $60 to $150 for a brand-new robe to call your own.
3. Clothes Hangers
Throughout hotels worldwide, clothes hangers feature special designs that make them usable only with the room’s unique fixtures.
While you might find these hangers useful, taking them home isn’t an option. Their hangers usage is specifically meant for in-room purposes, and the ethical implications of removing them affect hotel costs for everyone.
Consider bringing your own hangers if you need extras during your stay.
4. Electronics and Batteries
In contrast to disposable toiletries, electronic items and batteries in hotel rooms are strictly off-limits for guests to take home.
Hotels enforce strict electronic policies to protect their investments in items like hairdryers, tablets, and clock radios.
Staff conduct thorough hotel inspections after checkout, and you’ll face charges for any missing electronics.
The hotel may even pursue legal action for stolen items.
5. Kitchenware
When staying at hotels with kitchens or kitchenettes, you’ll often find various utensils, dishes, and cookware for your convenience during your stay.
Proper kitchen etiquette means leaving these items behind when you check out. While the equipment is yours to use during your visit, taking glasses, plates, or cooking tools will result in extra charges.
Smart cooking tips include bringing your own portable utensils instead.
6. Decorative Items
Decorative items contribute significantly to a hotel room’s ambiance and comfort, but they’re strictly off-limits for guests to take home.
Guest etiquette requires you to leave behind all artwork, vases, custom prints, and artificial flowers that improve hotel aesthetics.
The same applies to decorative pillows, throw blankets, and unique branded items designed specifically for the property.
7. Cups and Teapots
Luxurious ceramic teacups and elegant silver teapots may be tempting to slip into your suitcase, but these items aren’t complimentary and must stay in your hotel room.
Proper tea etiquette includes respecting hotel amenities. Taking these items can result in automatic charges to your bill.
Instead, consider investing in a compact travel tea set that you can enjoy during all your adventures.
8. Reusable Slippers
Just like teacups and teapots, reusable hotel slippers should remain in your room after checkout.
These slippers are part of the hotel’s sustainable practices and hygiene program, designed for multiple guest stays. Made with durable materials that withstand washing, they’re meant to be cleaned and reused.
Taking them home not only disrupts the hotel’s eco-friendly initiatives but can be considered theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if I Accidentally Pack a “Do Not Take” Item?
If you’ve committed accidental theft of a hotel item, don’t panic.
Hotels understand these mistakes happen and rarely charge guests for unintentional packing of non-complimentary items.
Proper hotel etiquette suggests you should contact the front desk when you discover the mistake.
You can offer to mail the item back or discuss a solution.
The hotel will appreciate your honesty and likely won’t take any action against you.
Can I Buy Items Directly From the Hotel if I Really Want Them?
Yes, you can purchase many hotel souvenirs directly from the property!
Most hotels offer guest purchases through their front desk, online store, or dedicated retail section. You’ll find items like branded toiletries, luxury bedding, robes, and decorative pieces available for sale.
It’s a great way to bring home your favorite hotel amenities legally. Just ask the hotel staff about their purchasing options – they’re usually happy to help you buy the items you love.
Do Luxury Hotels Have Different Rules About Taking Items Home?
Luxury hotels follow the same basic rules as standard hotels regarding taking items home.
While these properties may offer higher-end luxury amenities and create enhanced guest expectations, they maintain identical policies about what you can and can’t remove from rooms.
You’re welcome to take complimentary items like toiletries and stationery, but larger items like robes and electronics are still off-limits unless you purchase them directly from the hotel.
Should I Declare Hotel Amenities When Traveling Through Customs?
Life’s better safe than swimming in hot water with customs officials.
You should declare hotel amenities when crossing borders, especially if they exceed the $800 duty-free limit. Most basic toiletries like shampoo and lotion won’t need declaration under customs regulations, but larger items like robes or expensive products must be reported.
Hotel policies often allow you to keep complimentary items, but you’ll need receipts for purchased amenities.
Are Hotel Policies About Taking Items Different in Various Countries?
Yes, there are distinct cultural differences in hotel etiquette across countries.
You’ll find that UK hotels often allow guests to take small biscuits and toiletries, while Brazilian hotels notably provide flip-flops as take-home gifts.
Asian hotels tend to be stricter, with items like provided pajamas meant to stay in the room.
It’s best to familiarize yourself with local customs or ask hotel staff directly to avoid any misunderstandings during your stay.
Conclusion
As you plan your next hotel stay, remember the golden rule: if it’s disposable or complimentary, it’s yours to keep. Like footprints in the sand, these small hotel souvenirs serve as lasting memories of your travels. Pack those miniature toiletries, paper goods, and single-serve items with confidence, but leave the towels, robes, and electronics behind. A good traveler knows the difference between a keepsake and taking advantage.
