Staying in a hotel comes with a few perks. Fresh sheets, soft towels, cozy pillows, and complimentary toiletries can make even a short trip feel like a treat. But while most guests leave with nothing more than their suitcase, others check out with a few hotel items packed inside.
Hotel employees say missing room items are far more common than many travelers realize. A survey of more than 1,200 hotel workers and property owners by Deluxe Holiday Homes found that everything from towels to TV remotes regularly disappears after guests leave. Those losses add up, with hotels in the United States spending an estimated $100 million each year replacing stolen items.
Here are 10 of the things that go missing from hotel rooms most often.
Pillows
A good hotel pillow can make for one of the best nights of sleep while traveling. After finding one that’s especially comfortable, some guests decide to bring it home. Many hotels actually sell the same pillows through their websites or gift shops, making it possible to buy one without taking it from the room.
Towels
Towels top the list of the items that disappear most often. Hotels usually stock thick, soft towels that feel nicer than what many people have at home. Since they’re easy to fold into a suitcase, they’re one of the most commonly stolen room items and one of the biggest replacement costs for hotels.
Bathrobes
Few things make a hotel stay feel more relaxing than slipping into a plush bathrobe. Some guests mistakenly believe the robes are complimentary, while others knowingly pack them anyway. Unless a hotel clearly says they’re yours to keep, expect to be charged if one goes missing.
Hangers
Wooden hangers may not seem valuable, but hotel staff says they disappear on a regular basis. They’re sturdier than the thin wire or plastic hangers many people use at home, and they’re easy to slip between clothes inside a suitcase.
Toiletries
Small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap are probably the most confusing items for guests. In many hotels, the travel-size toiletries are free to take, but larger refillable dispensers are not. That confusion sometimes leads people to take more than they should.
Blankets
Blankets are much bulkier than towels or pillows, yet they still go missing from time to time. Hotels often invest in quality bedding, so replacing stolen blankets can be expensive, especially for luxury properties.
Hair Dryers
Hair dryers aren’t stolen nearly as often as towels or robes, but they still disappear often enough to make the list. Some travelers pack them because they’re better than the ones they have at home, while others accidentally toss them into their luggage before checking out.
Pens
Hotel pens have been disappearing for decades. Many guests see them as free souvenirs, especially if they feature the hotel’s name or logo. Since they’re inexpensive, most hotels expect to replace them regularly.
Dishes
Coffee mugs, drinking glasses, plates, and other dishware sometimes leave with guests, too. Some pieces are broken during a stay, but others never make it back to the room. Replacing those items becomes another routine expense for hotels.
Remote Controls
One of the most surprising items to disappear is the TV remote. Hotel staff says remotes occasionally end up inside luggage by accident, mixed in with personal electronics or charging cables. Whatever the reason, every missing remote has to be replaced before the next guest checks in.
Most travelers respect hotel property and leave everything where it belongs. Still, missing items are something hotels deal with every day, and replacing them costs the industry millions of dollars each year.
