When you stay at a hotel, your basic rate covers the room and taxes. You might also pay resort charges, which are fees imposed by the hospitality partners to cover services like Wi-Fi, breakfast, a newspaper, bottled water, or use of the fitness center or swimming pool. These offerings are designed to enhance your hotel experience.
When it's time to pack your things and leave the hotel, there are some items that you are generally permitted to take with you at no charge.
PEN AND PAPER
Found near the desk in your hotel room, it’s common practice for hotels to provide a pen and paper for notetaking. If you want to take the pen and notepad, feel free to do so. Not only are they nifty souvenirs, it’s always a bonus to have an extra pen and pad with you in your travel bag.
BOTTLED TOILETRIES
Mini-sized shampoos, conditioners, and body washes can be taken by hotel guests—but that isn’t an invitation to raid the housekeeping cart. The only toiletry items you are permitted to take with you are the items that are leftover in your own hotel room.
DISPOSABLE FOOT SLIPPERS
Wrapped, single-use slippers are often provided in hotel rooms for a guest’s 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 re-use them at home or the next time you travel.
COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGE ITEMS
Things like coffee packets or pods, creamer and sugar packets, and tea bags can be taken with you. Again, the protocol is only what’s allocated in your hotel room, not what’s on the housekeeping cart.
VANITY ITEMS YOU’VE REQUESTED FROM THE HOTEL
Often, hotels or resorts try and provide extra items to guests which they may have forgotten—such as a sewing kit, razor, comb, mouthwash, or shaving cream. If you are given these courtesy items, you’re permitted to take them with you when you leave.
EXPECT CHARGES FOR OTHER ITEMS
Although there are a handful of freebies you can take with you, there are many items you’re not permitted to take.
These include bathrobes, sheets, towels, pillows, electronics, hairdryers, books, bedding, lamps, ice buckets, and more. If items like these are taken from your room, the hotel will add the charges under the incidentals category on your hotel bill, and thus your credit card.
