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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it’s okay to take certain things from a hotel?

414 replies

TakeOrLeaveIt · 10/09/2024 01:00

I’m curious to know what people think about taking items from hotels. For example, I know things like toiletries (shampoos, soaps) are often seen as fair game, but what about things like mugs and glasses? I’ve stayed at a few places recently, and I was tempted by some of the nicer bits. Obviously, I didn’t take anything major, but it’s got me thinking - where’s the line? Is it stealing or part of the hotel experience?

AIBU to think it’s harmless to take certain things? Or shouldn’t all stay behind?

What do you think?

OP posts:
Madrigal12 · 11/09/2024 20:18

Underlay, only the underlay mind because they'd notice the absent carpet .......and the safe, no-one uses it and no one would check !

KittyBeebee · 11/09/2024 20:12

Mugs, glasses etc., definitely stealing.

Many, many years ago my mum's friend was on her own with 6 DC and had hardly any plates. She couldn't afford to buy new so she went to a jumble sale and bought a set of dinner plates with a hotel logo on. Every time anyone new came for tea she felt the need to explain she hadn't pinched the plates from a hotel!

Rosscameasdoody · 11/09/2024 19:59

Yourcatisnotsorry · 11/09/2024 19:58

Tiny jams from breakfast because they are so cute.

And available to buy in Sainsbury’s.

Yourcatisnotsorry · 11/09/2024 19:58

Tiny jams from breakfast because they are so cute.

Mellowbear · 11/09/2024 19:25

That's awful you should be ashamed

GreatBigCat · 11/09/2024 19:05

Some nicer hotels I’ve stayed have had a fully stocked complimentary mini bar. As is fully stocked. And if you empty it once a day they just refill it. I took the mini bottles (maybe 20 of them) for two days and wanted to continue for the rest of the week but my dh said no. I gave them all to his dad, this is where we were travelling to, and he was very happy for the freebie, not that he drank a lot. 😂

Apart from that I only take the small soaps when nice ones like Byredo or White Company. I mean it’s included in the price.
A glass would not cross my mind to steal.

joolsella · 11/09/2024 18:51

Towels? Pillows?

Icanttakethisanymore · 11/09/2024 18:50

It's fine to take anything consumable. It's not fine to take anything else, unless you are comfortable stealing, in which case everything is fair game.

Heyhoitsme · 11/09/2024 18:47

Toiletries are there for your use. If you don't use them take them home. That's it! Anything else is theft.

Lovelysummerdays · 11/09/2024 18:44

AtypicalMum · 10/09/2024 13:36

You're that cheap you would seriously take home a part used toilet roll?? 😂 Having worked in hotels...part used toilet rolls are not binned or wasted, they are used in function suite toilets, staff toilets and staff accommodation. They're not buckshee to take home with you 🙄

Show quote history

Having worked in hotels we binned the loo roll if there was less than 25% on the roll. Public toilets/ staff loos had the big rolls. I always thought my employers were tight generally but this thread has been eye opening.

Snowflakeslayer · 11/09/2024 18:40

TakeOrLeaveIt · 10/09/2024 01:00

I’m curious to know what people think about taking items from hotels. For example, I know things like toiletries (shampoos, soaps) are often seen as fair game, but what about things like mugs and glasses? I’ve stayed at a few places recently, and I was tempted by some of the nicer bits. Obviously, I didn’t take anything major, but it’s got me thinking - where’s the line? Is it stealing or part of the hotel experience?

AIBU to think it’s harmless to take certain things? Or shouldn’t all stay behind?

What do you think?

I’d say it’s pretty obvious, single use stuff is fair game, as will be thrown out anyway, the rest is quite obviously stealing.
What a sad world we live in where this needs to be asked. I despair.

Kjpt140v · 11/09/2024 18:36

You are a thief, and thecreason why hotel prices increase.

Toptops · 11/09/2024 18:32

I've taken single use toiletries - they're useful for a weekend away at a b&b etc and I give unused things to the women's refuge.
I'd draw the line at anything else

Mrsgreen100 · 11/09/2024 18:28

It’s theft
so glad you are not our guest
what on earth are you thinking!!!

ObelixtheGaul · 11/09/2024 18:11

suziequatrosfatnan · 10/09/2024 06:17

I spend half my life in hotels for work. This is obvious surely?
The rule is.

  • you can take things you could completely used up as part of your stay or will be chucked out if part used: mini toiletries, shower hat, sewing kit, sanitary bags, disposable one use slippers, notebooks, pens, all the teas, coffees and sugars and complimentary biscuits and water. Arguably you could fill your boots with bog paper too if you are that way inclined and have a long journey with a dicky tummy or are prone to spillage. I've also taken the laundry bag when I've had rained on clothes that would be going into my suitcase wet.
  • you can also take anything that has a price displayed on it: contents of mini bar, robes, towels etc as they will just charge you (a fuck tonne) for it.
  • you cannot take anything that is designed to be part of the room, reused or washed and replaced; crockery, televisions, wall art, full size bottles of toiletries, bed, bed linen, kettle, toilet basin, rugs, pillows, iron, ironing board, safe, hairdryer, desk, chairs, cushions etc. Also robes and towels if there isn't an indication of price. Even so they are likely to notice and charge you anyway. Who the fuck wants to pay through the nose for a wet, industrial use, used towel?

It is yet unknown whether you are allowed to take the bible. I'm a heathen so I'd say yes if it's to destroy it.

HTH.

All I could picture was someone trying to sneak past reception with an ironing board under their coat...

Mumoftwochildrenand6furkids · 11/09/2024 17:55

Cups, glassess, robes all theft as far as im concerend imagine if every one who stayed did it the cost to the hotel would be massive also if you can afford an hotel room surely you can afford your own glassess and cups.

Zita60 · 11/09/2024 13:26

JustMarriedBecca · 10/09/2024 19:19

If you're going to take a towel, take it from the cart in the hallway. Everyone knows that. Or one of the large bath sheets from by the pool.

I take mini shampoos from nice hotels and then give them to the kids when they go on school residentials and cub camps to save (a) decanting smaller bottles and (B) the risk they will leave in the shower and forget it.

There's no need to take mini-shampoos to give to your children. I buy little empty travel bottles from places like Boots and fill them with shampoo etc from my big bottle. That's what I take away with me when I'm travelling. You could do that and give them to your children.

nosleepforme · 10/09/2024 19:33

AtypicalMum · 10/09/2024 13:36

You're that cheap you would seriously take home a part used toilet roll?? 😂 Having worked in hotels...part used toilet rolls are not binned or wasted, they are used in function suite toilets, staff toilets and staff accommodation. They're not buckshee to take home with you 🙄

Show quote history

No I never have personally. We’re not talking about what I personally have taken, rather this is my opinion of what I think is ok to take. Toiletries that are started aren’t being used for the next guest. They’re thrown out. If it’s being thrown, I don’t see the problem.
and to the other poster that said I shouldn’t be taking teas, I never even mentioned tea! Never drank a tea in my life! Lol

PersephonePomegranate23 · 10/09/2024 19:23

HeddaGarbled · 10/09/2024 01:53

I've taken home a shampoo too but once home I don't actually need or want it

Quite. I don’t know why people bother to do this. If you can afford to stay in a hotel, you’re not struggling to afford shampoo are you? Why take a tiny half used bottle of a product you wouldn’t choose normally and risk it leaking all over your toilet bag, so you can have one shower/hair-wash at home with your sub-standard freebie?

Good size for the gym!

As per PP, things that can't be used again and will be binned are fine. Everything else is not!

JustMarriedBecca · 10/09/2024 19:19

If you're going to take a towel, take it from the cart in the hallway. Everyone knows that. Or one of the large bath sheets from by the pool.

I take mini shampoos from nice hotels and then give them to the kids when they go on school residentials and cub camps to save (a) decanting smaller bottles and (B) the risk they will leave in the shower and forget it.

angellinaballerina7 · 10/09/2024 19:18

Do you have no mugs/glasses at home or something? This is tacky behaviour.

As a side note, I would not recommend stealing those kind of items if you’re inclined to - they’re not clean.

Alongthepineconetrail · 10/09/2024 19:12

I think the @TakeOrLeaveIt is too embarrassed to return to the thread!

Auburngal · 10/09/2024 16:26

Why would anyone take pillows home with them?

Some of the pillows in hotels abroad are those thin square things which need 3 to prop my head up. One hotel I stayed in Latvia I wasn't given extra pillows in the wardrobe and didn't take my request of additional pillows, so I had to prop the pillows with the dressing gowns.

Caroparo52 · 10/09/2024 16:23

Taking mugs or glasses is called stealing. You need to adjust your moral compass

HappyDane · 10/09/2024 15:58

No. The rates are set such that expenses are covered by fees and a margin is left for profit. No hotel is going to charge 5p less per room because someone doesn't eat the biscuits.