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What do hotel guests slip into their suitcases most often? A large survey of hotel staff has revealed some surprising favorites — and they’re not the tiny shampoo bottles you might expect.
A beautiful hotel can elevate any vacation. And for many travelers, taking home a small “souvenir” feels like part of the experience. A fragrant shampoo, a pair of comfy slippers, maybe even a pen from the bedside table. But according to a new survey by the vacation-rental provider Deluxe Holiday Homes, some guests go far beyond the complimentary amenities.
The company asked 1,200 hotel employees which items disappear most frequently. The winner is as unexpected as it is costly.
1. Towels: The Undisputed Champions of Hotel Theft
A staggering 88 percent of hotel staff reported that towels vanish more than anything else. According to a Deluxe Holiday Homes expert, towels are easy to hide in a suitcase — and the theft often goes unnoticed until long after checkout.
“Hotels lose more money replacing towels than any other stolen item,” the expert explained. That’s despite the fact that towels are bulky, heavy, and rarely special enough to justify the effort.
2. Bathrobes: The Luxury Temptation
In second place: bathrobes, with 66 percent of staff saying they frequently disappear.
“Some guests seem to believe they’re allowed to take the bathrobe home, but that’s never the case,” the expert said. “They’re expensive — at least 50 dollars each.”
3. Hangers: Small, Slim, and Surprisingly Popular
Third place goes to clothes hangers. Of the 1,200 employees surveyed, 685 said hangers often go missing. They’re easy to pack, take up almost no space, and apparently appeal to travelers looking to upgrade their closets at home.
4. Bathroom Amenities: The Gray Zone
Only in fourth place do we find the classic suspects: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap, and tissues.
“Guests often aren’t sure what they’re allowed to take,” the expert noted. “That uncertainty makes them feel less guilty about slipping these items into their bags.”
5–10: The Big, the Odd, and the Downright Baffling
The list gets stranger as it goes on:
- 5. Blankets
- 6. Pillows
- 7. Hairdryers
- 8. Pens
- 9. Dishes
- 10. Remote controls
Blankets and pillows are particularly puzzling — how guests manage to fit them into their luggage (along with their vacation wardrobe) remains a mystery. Remote controls, meanwhile, raise a different question: Why?
A $100 Million Problem
According to the survey, stolen items cost the U.S. hotel industry around 100 million dollars every year. And confusion plays a major role.
“Items like branded pens or mini soaps look like freebies, so guests assume they’re allowed to take them,” the expert said. “With blankets or bathrobes, it’s clearer that they’re not permitted — but people take them anyway.”
The Fine Line Between Souvenir and Theft
Most hotels expect guests to take small toiletries. But anything larger — towels, robes, pillows, electronics — is considered property theft. Some hotels now use RFID chips in linens to track disappearing items, while others simply factor the losses into their operating costs.
Still, the survey highlights a simple truth: when it comes to hotel stays, the temptation to take a piece of the experience home is strong. But the line between a keepsake and a costly problem is thinner than many guests realize.
- source: heute.at/picture: pixabay.com
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