What you can and cannot take from a hotel room

One of the advantages of staying in four- or five-star hotels is a wide range of amenities: free coffee, cozy bathrobes, branded notebooks, and pens. Some of them, such as small toiletries, are included in the room rate, and you can take them with you. Others, on the contrary, are not included in the price. Let's figure out what you are allowed to take when checking out and what you should definitely leave behind.

What you can take from a hotel

Most boutique and luxury hotels want their guests to feel comfortable, as if the hotel is their second home, so they furnish and equip rooms accordingly. Although there are exceptions, in the list below we have collected all the main items that are considered consumables and are provided to guests for free.

Travel-sized toiletries: small lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and shower gels can be safely taken. However, some hotels install reusable dispenser bottles, and these should definitely not be removed and packed in your suitcase.

Disposable slippers: high-class hotels often provide guests with disposable slippers. This lightweight footwear is made of terry cloth, cotton, or non-woven material. Usually, such slippers are very thin and quickly wear out or tear, so they can be considered almost disposable.

Notebooks, stationery, and pens: many hotels view these items as free marketing. Notebooks, pens, and stationery (including postcards) also make excellent souvenirs for guests.

Sewing kits, shoehorns, and cosmetic kits: like shower gels or shampoos, these amenities are inexpensive for the hotel but make the guest's stay more comfortable.

Tea and coffee sachets: beverages are a standard attribute of hospitality, so the room rate includes single-serving coffee capsules, tea bags, sugar, cream, and stirrers.

What you cannot take from a hotel room

Of course, there are things that you should under no circumstances take with you, no matter how much you want to. These include:

Towels, bedding, and pillows: yes, they belong to the hotel. If it's the softest and most luxurious bedding you've ever encountered, just note the brand or ask the hotel staff for details.

Bathrobes: if the bathrobe does not have a "free" tag or is not included in the room rate, taking it from any category of hotel room is prohibited.

Hairdryers, irons, or kettles: the main rule is – if an electrical appliance was in the room, it will remain there. It would be too expensive (and simply uneconomical) for the hotel to replace hairdryers, irons, or kettles after each subsequent guest checks out.

Electronics or remotes: the same rule applies here. You definitely wouldn't like it if you came into your room and couldn't find the TV remote.

Decorative elements: clocks, paintings, coffee tables, books, and lamps are part of the interior. You can admire them, you can photograph them (to then look for similar items on marketplaces), but you cannot take them away.

Gray area: things you should leave behind

Some amenities in hotel rooms might make you wonder: "Can I take this too?". But in reality, you should still leave them in the room. Here are a few items that most often cause confusion among guests.

Bottled water: one of those items that can cause problems. In hot countries, water is placed in rooms by default, but before opening the cap, check the prices on the menu.

Drinks and other mini-bar and refrigerator contents: may also be chargeable. It's best to clarify this with hotel staff immediately upon check-in, asking directly – what is free and what is not.

Slippers: fabric disposable ones can be taken, but rubber and any other reusable ones – probably not.

Umbrellas: it might rain on your departure day, but an umbrella can only be borrowed, not kept.

Reusable water bottles or mugs: branded items might be souvenirs from the hotel, but it's best to clarify this at the reception.

Branded laundry or shoe bags: if the bag is made of thin, disposable material (often plastic), you can take it. If it's made of thicker fabric, then it's simply a household item in the room.