Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is it about hotels that turn us into kleptomaniacs?

127 replies

BabychamSocialist · 15/02/2017 14:21

I'm convinced something happens to us when we enter hotels that means we have to take absolutely everything that isn't nailed down. I know someone who works as a concierge for a big fancy hotel and he says that a maid leaving the trolley in the corridor is basically inviting you to stuff your pockets with as much as you can before they come back.

OP posts:
cardibach · 15/02/2017 14:24

Doesn't do it to me. I sometimes take the tiny wrapped soaps as they are handy for travelling to places which are less luxurious and have no soap. I don't take anything else and certainly wouldn't take anything from a trolley!

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 15/02/2017 14:28

I take all the things from the bathroom, but i wouldn't pinch anything from an unsupervised trolley

that's not to say I didn't smile brightly and ask the chambermaid if I could take a pen and pad as I had a list to write. cos I had already pinched the pen and the pad in the room only had three bits of paper on

ImCatbug · 15/02/2017 14:33

I'm guilty of this, recently went on a trip that involved staying at multiple hotels and I came home with enough soap to last me until next year Grin
And I will take a couple things from the maid trolley if no-one's about like even more soap I don't need

I also love it when you stay at a new hotel and they have different things in the room, like shoe shine sponges and after sun cream!

KondosSecretJunkRoom · 15/02/2017 14:37

I take the bathroom stuff, shampoo and soap, not the towels Grin

I was about to say surely no-one nicks stuff from the trolley? but then CatBug posted!

PortiaCastis · 15/02/2017 14:37

The more you steal the more the price goes up

KondosSecretJunkRoom · 15/02/2017 14:39

The price is the most people will pay, the price wouldn't go down if people didn't take the bathroom tatt.

KoalaDownUnder · 15/02/2017 14:41

Nah, never do that. I can't be bothered, and I usually have enough stuff to lug home as it is.

Unless it's the toiletries left for your use, it's theft, surely.

pringlecat · 15/02/2017 14:46

I always take the toiletries from my room; they're built into the cost of the room. I've paid for them.

I must admit, every time I see an unsupervised trolley, I do always stare at it for just a second before my conscience wakes up and says to my inner hotel klepto, 'Move along now, nothing to see here...' I never would take from the trolley, but I always secretly want to!

Homeless shelters incidentally are usually grateful for tiny toiletries. For those of you who have actually raided the trolley. Wink

ToastyFingers · 15/02/2017 14:49

I don't, my house is full of crap as it is. In fact, I might start taking stuff with me to leave there.

Mavisblewitt · 15/02/2017 14:56

I like your thinking toasty
What a great idea! 😂😂

knorrig · 15/02/2017 15:02

Pringle - I'm the same with the trolley...always see it and think oooh (esp the one full of minatures in a swanky NY hotel!) but never actually taken anything!

The toiletries are good for going away for weekends so I take them if they're any good.

Original poster
BabychamSocialist · 15/02/2017 15:53

Yeah, the prices wouldn't go down if people didn't take stuff. It's always factored into the room cost and they know some people will take it and some won't.

I love when you go to a swanky hotel and get things like cheap cardboard slippers and little combs with the hotel's name on it. I've got quite a collection of cardboard fluffy slippers from around the world...

OP posts:
ILoveCheeseMoreThanYou · 15/02/2017 15:59

I've done the trolley thing because they had mini This Works shampoos and shower gels Blush I travel quite a lot with work but generally never take anything because it's usually cheap shit.

MackerelOfFact · 15/02/2017 16:01

It's not stealing if it's disposable stuff, you've paid for it and it'll just go in the bin if you don't use it or take it with you.

If you're stealing the towels or the pillows, that's a different matter entirely. As is raiding the maid's trolley!

Sulis87 · 15/02/2017 16:02

I once worked in a hotel where someone stole ornaments, dressing gowns and a picture from the wall. Taking it a bit far I think...

ILoveCheeseMoreThanYou · 15/02/2017 16:10

Yes I am a thief and I know it! I also stole a lipgloss from Boots when I was 12 Blush

Sparklingbrook · 15/02/2017 16:13

I take any opened toiletries because they nobody wants those. Other than that I don't bother.

I can somehow manage to not turn into a thief when staying in a hotel. I don't make lunchtime sandwiches using the breakfast buffet stuff either. Or nick the fruit.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/02/2017 16:18

I stopped taking toiletries when I realised that I almost never used them because it is quite difficult to get any of the bottles if they don't have a squeezy top.

I will take the biscuits if nice (Borders, shortbread or similar) but not if standard custard creams etc.

SquedgieBeckenheim · 15/02/2017 16:18

I've only done this once. The hotel had lovely shower gel, shampoo and conditioner so I took what was in the bathroom.
I've never felt the need to steal from the trolleys.
Most places I stay have crap toiletries so I don't even use it while I'm there.

ImperialBlether · 15/02/2017 16:21

Does anyone remember the thread about a woman who said she'd taken home the toiletries and had an email charging her for them? Turned out they were huge containers and she said she thought they were included in the price. Seem to remember that one ended up in the DF, too.

AndShesGone · 15/02/2017 16:27

I realised I'd finally reached adult hood when I stopped taking the half empty bottles home.

I realised I'd reached old age when I only used the ones I took with me because I only like my aveda and elemis stuff Sad

GangstaRat · 15/02/2017 16:57

I only steal those tiny milk pots. I only have milk in tea, which I rarely drink, so can never get through even a small carton without it going bad.

I do take the mini toiletries if they're especially nice. I have about ten Pecksniffs conditioners from one trip.

TrickyD · 15/02/2017 17:11

I think it's OK to take those mini bottles of shower gel etc. I usually bring a few couple home. I also like the mini tooth brush kits and the little cards with coloured mending thread and a button or two. Not interested in the shoe shiner or slippers.
We stayed at a posh hotel in Budapest and there was a little bottle of 'Intimate Cleanser' on the bidet. I had not come across this previously so felt obliged to pack each bottle so it would be replaced daily. The maid must have been very imptessed with my intimate cleanliness.

Parker231 · 15/02/2017 17:28

I always take all the mini toiletries from the bathroom to bring home and donate to a local charity for the homeless.

petitdonkey · 15/02/2017 17:34

As a very special gift from my friends DH and I stayed at Le Manoir au Quat Saisons (sp??) - when they show you around your beautiful bathroom the lovely man told me to make sure I took everything home as they were ours and they would only go in the bin. They were full sized and this brand!! They even provide a beautiful linen bag to put the soaps in. I realise the rooms are super expensive but it was so nice the way that they encouraged you to take them.