Hotel Amenities: What to Take Home?

Enjoying your hotel stay often involves taking advantage of various amenities. But knowing which hotel amenities you can take home and which you should leave behind is crucial. This guide helps you understand what's considered complimentary and what could lead to extra charges.

Hotel Amenities You Can Usually Take Home

Many hotels offer items intended for guest use and are implicitly considered yours to take. However, it's always good practice to check with hotel staff if you are unsure.

Toiletries: Your Free Hotel Goodies

Those miniature bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap are usually free for the taking. Hotels generally discard unused portions, making these small hotel amenities a practical souvenir.

Beverages and Single-Use Items: Enjoy and Take

The coffee, tea, sugar, stirrers, and other single-use items in your room are generally considered yours to consume and take. However, remember to stick to what's been provided in your room and avoid taking items from communal areas.

Stationery: A Memorable Take-Away

Notepads and pens are common complimentary hotel amenities. Many travelers keep these as a memento of their stay or use them to jot down travel notes. Hotel-branded pens are especially popular take-aways.

Hotel-Branded Items and Freebies: Grab Them!

Many hotels offer promotional items like branded laundry bags, personal care kits, or other small gifts. These freebies are yours to keep. Look out for special offerings, such as complimentary champagne – consider taking this home to commemorate your trip. Always ask if you are unsure if an item is a free hotel amenity.

Disposable Items: Single-Use Convenience

Disposable slippers are usually considered fair game as they are unlikely to be reused. Always take a look at the condition of items before taking them away.

Hotel Amenities to Leave Behind: Avoid Extra Charges

Several hotel amenities are expressly for guest use during their stay and should not be removed. Taking these can result in unwanted charges.

Linens and Towels: Hotel Property

Towels and linens are expensive to replace, and hotels require them for subsequent guests. Taking them will almost certainly result in significant charges. These are explicitly marked as belonging to the hotel, not for guest use outside the duration of their stay.

Bathrobes: Luxurious but Not Yours to Keep

While incredibly tempting, bathrobes are considered hotel property and should not be removed. Taking one will incur fees.

Hangers: Small but Important

Don't underestimate the cost of replacing hangers. These seemingly insignificant items are not complimentary and should be left behind.

Electronics and Remote Controls: Absolutely Not

Removing batteries or any parts of electronic devices, including remote controls, is unethical and strictly prohibited. Significant charges will result from taking these essential items.

Kitchenware: For In-Room Use Only

If your hotel room includes kitchenware, remember these items are solely for in-room use. Removing dishes, glasses, silverware, or any other kitchen item is unacceptable. These are costly and you will be billed.

Decorative Items: Admire, Don't Take

Resist the temptation to “borrow” artwork, vases, or other decorative items. Take photos as mementos instead; they are valuable and irreplaceable hotel assets.

Reusable Slippers: Unlike Disposable Ones

Reusable slippers are different from disposable ones. They are hotel property and taking them will result in a fee. This is clearly hotel property.

Glasses and Reusable Items: Don't Remove These

Glasses and other reusable items are not considered complimentary hotel amenities. Removing them will incur charges.

Respecting Hotel Property: A Smooth Stay for All

Respecting hotel property not only avoids extra charges but also ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests. Remember, a little consideration goes a long way towards maintaining high standards for everyone. Enjoy your trip!