Here’s what you can (and shouldn’t) take from your hotel room.
There you are, standing in a plush hotel room, admiring the fancy toiletries and thinking—just for a moment—about sneaking that ultra-soft bathrobe into your suitcase. But before you channel your inner Carmen Sandiego, let’s talk about what’s actually okay to take home as a souvenir and what could land you in hot water.
The Green Light: What You Can Take
Toiletries: Guilt-Free Souvenirs
Those miniature bottles of shampoo and body wash aren’t just adorable—they’re actually meant to go home with you. According to recent surveys, you’re in good company: a whopping 73% of American travelers admit to slipping hotel toiletries into their bags. The list of acceptable items includes:
-Shampoo and conditioner
-Body wash and lotion
-Bar soap
-Disposable shower caps
-Single-use slippers
-Dental kits
Stationery: Write On!
Writing stationery doesn’t have to be stationary. Feel free to pocket:
-Pens and pencils
-Notepads
-Postcards
-Hotel-branded stationery
The Red Light: What’s Strictly Off-Limits
The Obvious No-Nos
Recent incidents have shown just how seriously hotels take theft. In 2023, the Marriott Group reported implementing new inventory tracking systems after noting significant losses in these commonly stolen items:
-Towels
-Bathrobes
-Pillows and pillowcases
-Sheets
-Blankets
-Hangers
The “You’d Be Surprised” List
Hotel staff have reported increasingly brazen theft attempts. Some recent examples:
-A luxury hotel in Dubai reported a guest attempting to remove a designer shower head worth over $500
-A boutique hotel in London documented guests prying loose vintage wall sconces
-Several Vegas hotels now secure their TV remotes after a spate of thefts
-Hotels have intercepted attempted thefts of mattresses (!)
The Real Consequences
Legal Trouble
This isn’t just about bad karma—hotel theft can have serious legal consequences. Consider these cases:
-A woman in Nigeria served three months in jail for stealing two towels from the Transcorp Hilton Abuja
-A European hotel chain began pressing charges against guests who took bathrobes, leading to several court cases
-Multiple US hotels have started adding theft charges directly to guest credit cards
The Hidden Cost
According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, theft costs the industry an estimated $100 million annually. This doesn’t just hurt hotels; it affects everyone through increased room rates and reduced amenities.
The Blacklist
Hotels are getting tech-savvy about repeat offenders. Many now maintain shared databases of guests who’ve stolen items, effectively creating a hotel industry blacklist. Major chains like Marriott and Hilton share these “no-stay” lists, meaning that pillow you pocketed could cost you future stays at hundreds of properties worldwide.
The Ethical Alternative
If you really love something in your hotel room, try these approaches:
-Ask at the front desk if items are available for purchase
-Check the hotel’s gift shop, where many branded items are sold
-Look up the hotel’s supplier online; many sell directly to consumers
-Consider joining the hotel’s loyalty program, which often offers branded merchandise as rewards
Here’s a simple way to check if something’s okay to take: Ask yourself what your elementary school teacher would say. If you have to hide it in your suitcase or wait until housekeeping isn’t looking, it’s probably not meant to leave the room.
Twist’s Take: Those tiny shampoo bottles are fair game, but the Bluetooth speaker definitely isn’t. When in doubt about whether you can take something from your hotel room, just ask the front desk—it’s better than explaining yourself to hotel security or the police later!