Complimentary hotel toiletries .. no sanitary towels

[TwentySmackeroos]

I’m in a fancy hotel on my holidays (total beach/resort set-up; not corporate at this time of year) and the tray of free toiletries includes:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shower gel
Bar of soap
Loofah/scrapy sponge thing
Make-up remover towelettes
Toothbrush/toothpaste set
Comb
Manicure set
Sewing kit
Shoe shine scuff fixer
Razor and shave balm

All the above have been replenished daily as used.

Meanwhile, a pack of panty liners retails in the hotel shop at €3.90. Tampax are €4.50.

Caught unawares (seven months into my first Mirena), I’ve been wadding loo roll and rinsing my bikini bottoms nightly. And obviously bought the panty liners when it became clear I needed to.

I’m a hotel middle-level manager (but no input into purchasing, in my role). Most guests here are parents under 45 with kids. There are loads of toilet facilities (spotless and well maintained) but no dispensing machines in any.

AIBU to think a sanitary towel or three in the toiletries tray is a reasonable expectation, when all other ‘immediate’ sanitary needs are?—and the shoe scuff fixer is not a pressing need IMO—

What's the harm in putting just one or two sanitary towels in the bathroom? I mean, really, who would it hurt/upset? It would cost the hotel pence, it only needs to be one or two for absolute emergencies, until you could get to a shop. There doesn't need to be a 'choice' - let's face it, everyone in a real emergency will shove a pad in their knickers, not fuss about there not being any unicorn-hair tampons (as long as the pads aren't scented!).

So really, why don't they? Any cost gets absorbed by the hotel (ie, put on the bill), they could roll them up so nobody could see what they were, provide just one or two...it's such a silly, simple thing. And, yes we could carry them in our handbags but we could also carry a sewing kit, make up remover and toothbrush, so ...why not provide san pro?

Sanpro is not a big or unusual ask but is not offered as standard. Why not?

Because it's your responsibility to manage your health conditions.

twee< SanPro comes in many forms, provide pads and someone would complain they were scented/didn't fit their thong/not absorbent enough/demand tampons ….. tampons someone would complain they weren't absorbent enough/gave them toxic shock/want a mooncup

Really, your OP illustrates why, when doing a favour, someone will always come along and demand more free stuff than is provided.

Really, your OP illustrates why, when doing a favour, someone will always come along and demand more free stuff than is provided.

Its not free, its part of the service you pay for. The logic of saying women should anticipate their needs also applies to every other item hotels provide. However since they elect to provide stuff its a valid question as to why this often includes male toiletries, sewing kits and manicure kits but not sanpro.

Hotels are geared up mostly for business travelers. However carefully you pack if you spend a lot of nights traveling there will be times when you are caught short for some of these items especially if a stay is extended and you can't easily access shops.

I don't understand why sanitary products are available behind reception desk or wherever, when they are something fairly basic that you might need in an emergency (at least until you are able to go out to the shops to buy more), but non-emergency things like manicure kits, shoe shine and sewing kits are readily available in rooms. Surely it should be the other way round?

@NewYearNewMe18
Are we really describing periods as a 'health condition' now? Do you see pooing as a health condition too?

It's funny how MN argue that the average woman can't afford their own monthly sanpro, but all of a sudden expect hotels to provide because 'it doesn't cost that much to provide'

It's two different things. Period poverty is about women who just can't afford sanpro and medication for it. Providing sanpro in hotel rooms is for people who can afford it,
(if you can afford to stay in the sort of hotel which provides a range of complimentary toiletries, you're not suffering from period poverty,) but have forgotten to bring sanpro, or their period comes on unexpectedly.

Of course most people should be able to remember to pack their own shampoo and stuff, but airlines lose baggage sometimes, or you might have travel problems and end up having to stay somewhere when you had planned to be in your own bed.

SanPro comes in many forms

In an emergency, a plain, unscented basic pad will do till I can sort out something to suit my preferences. I don't expect them to stock a whole range of complimentary shampoos to cater for dry, greasy, coloured, damaged, straight, curly or any other sort of hair type. It's not a large supermarket or pharmacy.

I actually think yabvu. I can just imagine the whinging that will come with this. What size tampons should they stock, scented or unscented pads, brands, etc. As it is you read a few threads on here about women complaining about these petty issues.

I can’t think of a single religion that would be offended by clean sanitary products!

That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read.

My dad, Muslim (if that’s helps), used to bulk buy sanitary products for us, with five of us menstrusting we all had different preferences and sometimes he’d come home with different new brands he’d seen and thought would help.
As a teen I remember how I cringed and pretended I didn’t know the little middle aged man enthusiastically clearing the entire san pro shelf in Saudi Arabia (we were on pilgrimage), the shopkeeper (also male) noticed and not realising the middle aged man was my dad admonished me for acting so embarrassed he said ‘it is natural it is needed’. I waited outside the shop for my dad after that.

Oh God that reminds me of when I went to Tunisia and had an early period. Trying to explain what I needed in hotel shop was so 😳!

I don't see that it would cause complaints to provide one type of sanitary towel (any cheap one would do) any more than not providing a range of specialised shampoos and toothpastes would cause complaints.

It's not like you go to a hotel and expect the free shower gel to be top quality.

Women do get caught out for various reasons. Providing a regular pad/ tampon in each room would give some grace in being able to access further supplies. Some women would struggle to get down to the reception with dignity.

It may also have a positive outcome for cleaners for jobs such as stripping bedding.

(Just not scented ones, keep it simple )

Oh God that reminds me of when I went to Tunisia and had an early period.

Why would you go on holiday without sanpro? No matter when your period is due.

'Because it's your responsibility to manage your health conditions.'

Health conditions @NewYearNewMe18 ?? Since when is a period a 'health condition'??? It's no more a health condition than pooing - it's a bodily function!

I'm finding the responses really odd - the whole 'well I carry sanpro with me at all times.' That's great, but there are people in the world who lose their bags, forget things, have a sudden period after travelling etc etc. In that circumstance someone could end up very uncomfortable and annoyed - why not provide a couple of pads on the off chance someone needs one? Surely it makes sense, given how many millions of women menstruate and how inconvenient it is to be caught without a pad? It's just courtesy surely?

Imagine if hotels stopped providing toilet roll on the basis that it cost them money and customers could just bring their own. I don't think men would so readily accept the need to bring their own large supply just in case they unexpectedly needed a poo.

Bumpity But the argument there would be that EVERYONE that books a hotel room uses toilet roll, no matter what sex/gender or age. Not saying that's a good argument, but that's what would got trotted out.

Maybe the answer is to provide ONLY toilet roll and NOTHING else?

I don't see that it would cause complaints to provide one type of sanitary towel (any cheap one would do) any more than not providing a range of specialised shampoos and toothpastes would cause complaints.

It's not like you go to a hotel and expect the free shower gel to be top quality.

Unfortunately Bertie, some people are just ungrateful for anything! as I've already said my hotel doesn't provide them, but I usually carry a couple of pads with me in my work bag. It's on average maybe once every couple of months I'll get asked if we sell them (no hotel shop) or if there's a late shop near by (11pm is latest) and offer one of my own stash - only once in the years I've worked there have I had someone be a bit arsey with me because pads are dirty horrible smelly things that she hated but supposed would have to do. A thanks would have sufficed considering it was a personal favour for another woman and not a professional one!
Most though are just incredibly grateful and I've even had a bar of chocolate and a full pack bought back by grateful ladies.
The emergency toothpaste however, is embarrassing to hand over - there's literally enough for one tooth!

TBH if you can afford to stay in a "fancy hotel" you could afford to bu the san pro in the shop! I also have a mirena coil but always carry emergency supplies if I'm on holiday,

I'd say it's partly geography - a hotel in the middle of nowhere might (and should) keep some handy but in a city centre might reasonably think that guests can just nip out to an all-night chemist.

On a side issue, hotels never seem to think that two women might be travelling together - there's only ever one bathcap or body lotion in my experience. The only exception I've found was the Hotel Rival in Stockholm (owned by one of Abba). It also had two toothbrushes and toothpastes.

I find it really odd that people are talking about affording sanpro - that's not the issue! People can also afford loo roll and shower gel and teabags, all of which tend to be provided in the room. It's not a matter of affording it, it's a matter of having it available when you need it. If your period starts unexpectedly (in the middle of the night for example) you won't necessarily be able to find anywhere to get what you need so having it handy to tide you over until you can get to a shop is a huge relief - it's courtesy to provide emergency supplies like that that people might need. I don't see why hotels wouldn't do it - if I got caught and found a pad handy in the bathroom I'd be hugely grateful and I'd remember it - it'd leave a very good impression on me.

if I got caught and found a pad handy in the bathroom I'd be hugely grateful and I'd remember it - it'd leave a very good impression on me. but would it actually determine whether you stayed in that hotel again? L’Occitaine toiletries (or whatever) might form part of the marketing, but I don’t see any hotels advertising their provision of free sanpro in the hope of attracting more customers and at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about. Also more crucial to provide liquid toiletries when more and more people are travelling with hand luggage - you are less likely to get your sanpro confiscated at security.

It's just a nice touch from the hotel, that's all and could be useful for a female guest.. I stay in hotels three or four times a month and am usually prepared with everything I need, but have been caught out with forgotten sanity products once or twice. Generally it's rare I use anything from hotel toiletries- I usually collect them for a homeless charity.

@Battleax It's the Wythall transport Museum near Birmingham

I've never seen them in any Hotel, but then I carry emergency tampons all time, part of personal 'you never know' kit: mini packs of wipes, tissues, paracetamol, mini sewing kit etc, couple mini safety pins, plasters etc. Down to being ex teacher & veteran of ahem, 'interesting' school day trips that'd make the one in Adrian Mole book look tame!

It’s a while since I last needed sanitary protection but I always carry a small pad for emergency use by me or another woman. I’d certainly never go abroad anywhere remote without adequate supplies and in most places you can buy items readily.
I wouldn’t be against the idea but can’t see it’s necessary.