When you finish your holiday, it’s always nice to have a memento to bring home. Usually, this would be something from a souvenir shop – but what about small items from your accommodation? They’ll remind you of your trip – but can you take them?
Mark Johnson, the founder of H18YC, discusses what you’re allowed to take from your hotel room as well as what you should leave behind.
Toiletries And Stationery
You can take home shampoo, conditioner, soap, and body lotion so long as they’re single-use toiletries in small packages. The costs of supplying these will have been factored into the overall price of your room. However, if you see that your hotel room features larger bottles, especially if they’re attached to the wall, you might get in trouble if you decide to remove them.
Stationery (e.g. paper, pens, envelopes, and postcards) is free to use and keep. It’s usually branded with the hotel logo, so it provides free advertising. However, you shouldn’t take home any leather-bound notepads.
Food, Drink And Complimentary Gifts
You’re allowed to keep any small items of food and drink that have been provided in your room. Common examples include biscuits, teabags, coffee sachets, coffee creamers, and sugar packets. However, any drinks in mini fridges will probably need to be paid for.
If something is complimentary, it’s yours! It may be a chocolate bar (or individual chocolates placed on your pillows) or something helpful like a water bottle. If you told the hotel beforehand that you’re celebrating your honeymoon or wedding anniversary you may receive a free bottle of champagne.
Miscellaneous Freebies
If your room provides a small sewing kit or dry-cleaning bags, they’re free to keep. So are slippers, as they’re only designed for single use.
Linens And Clothing-Related Items
Don’t help yourself to any linens, including towels, sheets, and blankets. The same thing applies to bedding like pillows and duvets, as well as clothing items such as bathrobes. The iron, ironing board, and wooden hangers also all need to remain in the room.
Electronic Goods
Don’t remove cable boxes, hairdryers, or lightbulbs. Keep the TV and its remote (complete with batteries) in your hotel room, plus any clock/radio or tablet.
General Items
Never return home with the hotel ashtray or any of their glass bottles or mugs. Keep paintings on the walls and any Bible on the bedside table.
Mark says, ‘It’s best for you and the hotel if you know what to take or to leave; then you can fully enjoy your stay without later being accused of theft. Before you put anything you’re not sure about into your suitcase, remember you can always ask hotel staff if it’s okay to take.’
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