Staying in a hotel can be a luxurious experience. The comfy bed, cozy robes, and convenient toiletries make it tempting to take some of these home with you. But before you start stuffing pillows and towels into your suitcase, it’s important to know what you can and can’t take from a hotel room.
This beginner’s guide will cover hotel policies, explain the difference between certain items, and outline the potential consequences of taking objects you shouldn’t. Read on to learn what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to souveniring from hotels.
An Overview of Hotel Amenities and Policies
Hotels provide various amenities – complimentary items and services – for the comfort and convenience of guests. These can include:
- Toiletries like shampoo, soap, and lotion
- Beverages and snacks
- Writing supplies like stationary and pens
- Electronics like alarm clocks and irons
Hotels set their own policies regarding what amenities guests are allowed to take home with them. These policies aim to balance customer satisfaction with protecting the business.
For example, many hotels will indicate if unused toiletries are okay to take, but taking bedding or towels is prohibited. Breaking these policies can result in fees or even legal action.
It’s important travelers understand and respect these rules. Checking with hotel staff is the best way to avoid issues.
Distinguishing Between Hotel Property, Belongings, and Inventory
When considering if something can be taken, it helps to understand some key categories hotels use:
Hotel Property
This refers to items permanently part of the room, like:
- Fixtures such as lights, sinks, mirrors
- Furniture including beds, desks, dressers
- Appliances like mini-fridges and coffee makers
- Electronics such as alarm clocks and telephones
Obviously, ripping a light fixture or bed from the wall would be unacceptable. Hotel property should never be removed from the room.
Hotel Belongings
Belongings are items the hotel owns but are not permanent parts of the room, like:
- Linens such as sheets, duvet covers, blankets
- Towels for bathing and hand drying
- Robes and slippers for guest use
Policies vary on whether belongings can leave with guests. Many hotels do not allow this, while others permit taking unused amenities.
Hotel Inventory
This encompasses consumable items the hotel stocks for guest use, including:
- Toiletries like shampoo, soap, lotion
- Food and beverages
- Disposable supplies like tissues, cups, stationery
Inventory is often allowed to be taken in unused form, though excessive quantities may be prohibited. Unopened snacks or toiletries are usually fine.
Rules and Consequences for Taking Hotel Items
To avoid issues, it’s imperative to know and follow hotel policies. Here are some best practices when it comes to taking items:
Do:
- Take unused, unopened consumables like toiletries, snacks, and single-serve beverages. These are expected to be used.
- Ask staff if unsure about policies for belongings like towels and robes. Many allow taking unused items.
- Be discreet and courteous if taking any items at checkout. Excessive quantities may raise suspicion.
Don’t:
- Take entire rolls of toilet paper, boxes of tissues, stacks of stationery, or piles of drinks. This could be considered theft.
- Remove permanent property like light fixtures, electronics, furniture, or decor. Defacing a room carries severe penalties.
- Take bedding, robes, towels, or bath mats that have been used. Due to health reasons, hotels typically do not allow this.
Potential consequences of violating policies include:
- Being charged cleaning or replacement fees that can range from $25-$50 for towels/robes up to hundreds for bedding.
- Having payment methods charged for missing inventory or property damage.
- Facing legal prosecution for theft if excessive quantities are taken.
- Being banned from the hotel chain in severe cases of intentional theft or destruction.
To avoid fees, guests should be familiar with hotel policies. When in doubt, directly ask staff at check-in or checkout about taking specific items. Being informed is the best way to enjoy amenities without overstepping.
A Closer Look at Hotel Linens and Bedding
One major category of belongings guests often wonder about taking are linens and bedding. Let’s explore some specific examples:
Sheets
Sheets directly contact guests’ skin, making their reuse a health issue. Hotels do not permit taking used sheets. New, unopened sheet sets may be allowed in some hotels.
Pillowcases
Like sheets, pillowcases are a hygiene concern if used. However, taking new, unused pillowcases is often allowed.
Blankets
Light blankets are a popular souvenir for some travelers. Policies vary – some hotels permit taking unused blankets, while others do not allow this to prevent shortages for future guests. Used blankets should never be taken.
Duvet Covers
Most hotels do not allow taking duvet covers, as they are difficult and costly to launder and replace compared to other linens. New covers are sometimes permitted.
Bed Pillows
That plush hotel pillow can be tempting, but removal is highly prohibited. Pillows are expensive for hotels to replace. Taking pillows risks fees starting around $25 per pillow.
Mattress Pads
As vital parts of the bed, mattress pads are strictly prohibited from being taken. Removal can damage the mattress and result in expensive replacement costs.
In general, taking any used or permanently attached bedding is unacceptable. Travelers should confirm policies about unused linens and covers at checkout.
Examining Policies for Hotel Towels and Robes
Along with bedding, bathroom textiles like towels and robes are prime targets for souveniring by guests. Here are some guidelines:
Bath Towels
Heavily used towels pose cleaning challenges. Most hotels do not allow taking used towels. However, unused towels are often permitted in reasonable quantities – usually 1-3 per room.
Hand Towels
Taking unused hand towels is subject to similar policies as bath towels, though excessive amounts raises suspicion. Used hand towels should always remain.
Washcloths
Typically treated the same as towels, taking a unused washcloth or two is sometimes allowed, while used ones are prohibited.
Bathrobes
Fluffy robes get tempting after a relaxing shower. Policies vary, with some hotels permitting taking unused robes, while others do not allow this. Used robes should stay.
Bath Mats
Since they are directly on the floor, health standards mean bath mats should always remain. Taking bath mats, used or unused, is strictly prohibited.
With towels and robes, be sure to ask hotel staff if you wish to take unused items at checkout. Avoid taking used textiles or excessive quantities to sidestep fees.
Hotel Toiletries and Supplies: What You Can Take
When it comes to hotel inventory like toiletries and other supplies, here are some dos and don’ts:
Allowed in reasonable quantities:
- Unopened shampoo, conditioner, soap, bath gels, and lotions
- Disposable shower caps, wet wipes, cotton pads, and swabs
- Individually packaged mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and brushes
- Single use packets of coffee, tea, sugar, creamer, and sweetener
- Unopened plastic cups, water bottles, utensils, and takeout containers
- Extra note pads, pens, envelopes, and other stationery items
Prohibited:
- Partially used or open products
- Taking the last of an item (leaving none for future guests)
- Entire unused rolls of toilet paper or boxes of tissues
- Excessive quantities of any one item
- Multiple bars of unopened soap
- Full unopened bottles or boxes of supplies
The key is to enjoy unused single-serve and small amenity items without depriving future guests. Hotels can restock reasonable amounts. Check at checkout if concerned.
Understanding Rules for Hotel Room Items
In addition to linens and toiletries, hotel room items like decorations, electronics, and furniture also have guidelines.
Artwork and Decor
The decor and art give hotel rooms an aesthetic identity. Taking artwork or decorative fixtures is prohibited, since it damages hotel property. Some decor like vases may be available for purchase.
Electronics
Radios, alarm clocks, lamps, TVs, irons, hair dryers and other electronics are permanent property that cannot be removed from the room. Tampering or taking them can lead to fees.
Furniture and Fixtures
Chairs, beds, desks, closets, and shelves are fixed into hotel rooms as permanent property. Taking furniture, lighting, mirrors, or other fixtures is prohibited and can be prosecuted.
Room Supplies
Guest directories, laundry bags, magazines, and other useful supplies should stay in the room for future guests. Excessive quantities taken may incur fees for the hotel having to restock.
Appliances and Equipment
It is not permitted to take appliances like minbars and coffee makers or equipment such as luggage racks. Guests should not unplug or relocate these permanent items.
While it’s tempting to take pieces of a beautiful, well-appointed hotel room, permanent property and fixtures should always remain intact. Be sure to ask about purchasing decor you’d like to take home.
Key Takeaways About Taking Items from Hotels
To summarize the main points for travelers wondering what they can and cannot take from hotel rooms:
- Unused consumable toiletries and single-serve food/drinks are fine in reasonable quantities.
- Taking excessive amounts of anything, even unused items, is prohibited.
- Used linens and towels should never be removed due to health risks.
- Furniture, appliances, artwork, electronics, and fixtures cannot be taken as they are hotel property.
- Policies vary regarding unused linens, pillows, blankets, robes, and other textiles – ask first.
- Removing or damaging permanent room property can lead to prosecution and fees.
- When in doubt, directly ask hotel staff about taking specific belongings.
By being respectful and following rules, guests can enjoy their accommodations without taking advantage. If you want a long-term souvenir, purchasing branded items from gift shops is a great alternative.
With the knowledge from this guide, travelers can have confidence knowing what belongs to the room and what can ethically go in their bags. Just be courteous, ask questions, take only unused consumables in moderate amounts, and leave the property intact.
Now that you know the deal, get out there and enjoy your next hotel stay! May it be rejuvenating and comfortable, with the perfect souvenir of memories to look back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take hotel towels from your room?
Most hotels do not allow taking used towels. However, some permit taking unused towels in reasonable quantities, such as 1-3 towels per room. It’s best to ask hotel staff about policies.
What hotel room items are acceptable to take home?
Unused, single-serve consumables like toiletries, drinks, and snacks can be taken in moderate amounts. Permanent items like furniture and fixtures should never be removed.
Is it ok to take the hotel bedding like sheets, blankets, or pillows?
Used linens cannot be taken for hygienic reasons. Policies vary regarding unused items – some hotels allow taking unused blankets but prohibit pillows. Check with staff.
Can you take hotel bathrobes after your stay?
Policies differ on unused robes – some hotels permit taking them while others do not allow it. Used robes should always remain. Ask ahead of time about specific policies.
What are the consequences for taking prohibited hotel property?
Violating hotel policies can lead to fees, charges to your payment method, bans from the hotel chain, or even legal prosecution in severe cases of theft or destruction.
