11 Free Items You Can Take Home from Your Hotel Room

When you stay at a hotel, what does your basic rate cover, and what might you be charged for as “extras”? That depends on the hotel.

Your basic rate covers the duration of your stay in the room and related taxes. In addition to that, some hotels may charge resort fees to cover offerings like Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, or use of the fitness center, swimming pool or even property-owned bikes. Other hotels may provide some or all of these offerings gratis. Your hotel should spell out which amenities are included in your room rate and which amenities will incur with an added fee.

When it comes to many in-room amenities, however, what’s included and not included can be a little less clear. In fact, when it’s time to pack your things and leave the hotel, did you know that there are some items that you are generally permitted to take home with you at no extra charge? These are small items that your hotel often provides for your comfort, simply to enhance your stay. The general rule is that if it’s provided complimentary, it’s free for you to take home.

Here are 11 take-home items you can remove from your hotel room without fear of being charged.

PEN AND PAPER

It’s common practice for hotels to provide a pen and paper, usually placed near the desk in your room, for notetaking. If you want to take home the pen and notepad, feel free to do so. Not only are they nifty souvenirs that are usually printed with the hotel’s logo, but it’s always a bonus to have an extra pen and pad with you in your travel bag. You can often find writing paper and envelopes for your personal use, too.

BOTTLED TOILETRIES

Hotel guests are also welcome to take home mini-size shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and body washes, although their availability doesn’t translate to an invitation to raid the housekeeping cart. The only toiletry items you are permitted to take with you are the items that are left over in your own hotel room. If you want more, call the front desk for extras. As savvy travelers know, having an extra set of shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and body wash in your travel bag is always a win.

DISPOSABLE FOOT SLIPPERS

Wrapped single-use slippers may be provided in hotel rooms for guests’ comfort and convenience. These slippers can be taken with you, whether you’ve worn them or not. If they are opened, they will be discarded by the hotel staff, so feel free to reuse them at home or the next time you travel. Often, they are a fun souvenir when they are emblazoned with the hotel’s logo.

NEWSPAPERS

As a courtesy to guests, some hotels deliver a newspaper outside room doors so that guests can keep up with local news and national current events. If the newspaper isn’t delivered to your door, you can often call down to guest services and ask to have the newspaper brought to you. Feel free to take those newspapers with you upon checking out, too.

SEWING KITS

Wardrobe mishaps can happen at any time, in any place. When they happen while we’re traveling with a limited supply of clothing in our suitcases, being able to fix that broken button popping off your sweater or that small tear in your T-shirt is all the more critical. To help you mend your clothing in a pinch, most hotels place a free sewing kit in rooms. If you don’t have a sewing kit handy in your room, contact the front desk or housekeeping, who will happily supply one for free if the hotel provides these kits.

POSTCARDS

If postcards are part of the stationery items in your desk setup, which generally includes a branded note pad and a pen, you can feel comfortable using the postcards to mail to your friends and family while you’re away or to bring home as a souvenir. Be sure to read any notices about these extras in your room, and take note if the hotel charges for them. Most hotels assume that if postcards are displayed on a desk and assembled with paper and pen, guests will use them or bring them home.

DISPOSABLE PAPER GOODS

If there are paper cups, plates, and/or plastic utensil sets in your hotel room, they are free to use and to take with you. You usually can find these items placed near the microwave or the refrigerator. These items are provided to guests as a courtesy for in-room use, including for meals that you order to your hotel room. Once you check out of your room, you can take unused paper goods with you. Often, having these disposable items in your carry-on can prove helpful while you’re on the road.

COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGE ITEMS

Typically, you can take home things like coffee packets or pods, creamer, sugar packets, and tea bags at no charge to you. These items are provided as a courtesy and are continuously restocked by hotel staff to make your hotel stay more enjoyable. Again, the protocol is to use only what’s allocated in your hotel room, not what’s on the housekeeping cart.

VANITY ITEMS YOU’VE REQUESTED FROM THE HOTEL

If you’ve forgotten small items such as soap, a comb, mouthwash, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a razor and/or shaving cream, your hotel will often provide these to you upon request. If the hotel staff gives you any of these courtesy items, you’re permitted to take them with you when you leave.

DESIGNATED WATER BOTTLES

Many hotel chains will leave one or two bottles of water in your room that are clearly labeled as free for your use. These are often left for you to use in a coffee maker or for bottled drinking water. In other cases, there’s a sleeve on a bottle of water where it explains that you will be charged for using the water. Be sure to take time to read notices in your room.

If you are uncertain of your hotel’s bottled water policies, call the front desk for clarification. If the bottles of water are “included” in your room rate, you can take them with you when you depart. If you want more complimentary bottles of water, check with the front desk; do not take them from housekeeping carts.

SAMPLE-SIZE HAND SANITIZER

Hand-sanitizing stations are now commonplace in hotels around the world as properties continue to make sanitizing a priority post-Covid. To promote this practice, some hotels leave sample-size hand sanitizers for guests to use both inside and outside the hotel. If you are unsure about the hotel’s policy, inquire about it at the front desk. If these travel-size products are stocked in your room, it’s more likely than not that they are a gift from the hotel.

ITEMS YOU’LL BE CHARGED FOR

Although there are a slew of freebies you can take with you when you leave your hotel room, there are many items you’re not permitted to take. These include bathrobes, sheets, towels, pillows, electronics, hairdryers, books, bedding, lamps, ice buckets, room décor, and more. If you snag any of these items from your room, it could not only constitute stealing but you also could get charged with petty theft.

Also, be wary about consuming items stocked in the minibar. These snacks and beverages often come with a hefty price tag. Some mini-fridges even have sensors, so if you remove an item, the sensors will detect it and you’ll be charged for it.

If you take non-complimentary items from your room, the hotel will add the charges under the incidentals category on your hotel bill, and those charges will end up on your credit card.