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—

I'm also management in a large hotel chain. We supply shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bubble bath and soap in every room. Shaving set, toothbrush and paste, shoe shine kit, sewing kit and shower cap are Available if requested. We don't hold sanitary towels. I think I may buy some to keep at reception after reading this post.

All they need is a pack of Super unscented Bodyform. Not everyone’s first choice, but in an emergency that’ll do the job for 95% of women.

I spend a lot of time in hotels and I think I've seen sanitary towels once on a bathroom list of additional things you can get if you call reception. It's a great idea. In an emergency you just need to have enough protection to be able to go out and find a shop, and no one is going to be that bothered what brand of towel it is. Sure, you could bunch up some loo roll, but you would be nervous about leakage, and I'm not sure I'd take the risk on the first day of a period.

As for religious issues - sanitary towels aren't going to upset anyone, though tampons might (but who cares, you're not forcing them in, are you, and most likely you're not even leaving them in the bathroom). Anyway hotel rooms still sometimes contain bibles!

I suppose that's always an option - absorbent but hardly comfortable.

And:

1. I think most women would just be glad to have any kind of protection in an emergency. Pads can be used by all, whereas there may be religious, disability or other issues with using tampons. I've been asked for emergency sanipro from time to time, by strangers and colleagues, and no one has ever turned up their nose because it's not their usual type. They tend to be grateful and (sometimes) a little embarrassed.

1. They don't even need to be in the bathroom if that's going to upset the poor men - hotels almost always have extra kit in the wardrobe, usually shoe shine kit, sewing kit, laundry bag - this would be an easy and discreet place to leave a couple of pads. You could then list it on the piece of card in the bathroom that usually lists extra amenities.

The problem I think is that its so variable. Shampoo is shampoo. May not be the personal preference for your hair but the hair will be cleaner for using it. Same for soap etc.

Now, let us consider what would happen here if there were hotels offering this:

1. Only tampons = thread about toxic shock syndrome here on MN.
2. Only tampons of one type = thread about applicators, materials and absorbencies and how dare hotels not provide a supermarket array of different choices.
3. Only pads = threads on here about them either being not enough or only thick ones and how dare they treat all women the same. And then seperate threads from women complaining about scented ones.
4. Mix of tampons and pads = threads that not all types are available with sub-comments about the danger of leaving out tampons when a daughter has her first period when they are on holiday or away from home and the issue of toxic shock syndrome.

And so on.

Seriously, do you think it is more or less hassle to provide Sanpro when the inevitable complaints roll in? These are personal products yet will generate vast acreage of complaints because the hotel will not offer the correct items.

I think if you're in desperate need a basic pad would be gratefully received. Most people wouldn't moan about that.

Coffee shop near me has complimentary sanpro and nappies too. Considerate!

@scottishdiem
Have you ever been caught out? I have. I’d have been so grateful for a pad. I never wear pads normally. Pads can be worn by anyone so would be ideal to have.

For all those saying just buy them from the shop most hotels don’t have a shop (or if they do it’s not 24h).

My luggage has been lost twice. The first time I was given a lovely ‘female’ toiletry selection, toothbrush,t-shirt, etc as an apology from the airline. No Sanpro!

I agree that it does seem an example of how women are not catered for. I remember as a teenager occasionally stuffing tissue paper in my knickers if I had been caught short, so to speak, and it was a but nerve-wracking!

I have seen a single towel provided, as part of an 'emergency box', in one hotel I stayed in. I didn't need to use it but I appreciated the thought! I was at a conference at a hotel recently and a whisper went round requesting a sanitary towel (the tampons I had in my bag were rejected). Someone suggested asking at reception. Don't know if they were able to supply any, but I didn't notice any leaks!

Yes! get on to it it would be marvellous to do. I have never used the shoe polish thing in a hotel- so what's the point of it. Some sanitary towels or an option where you could request them in with your toiletries would be a great idea

What a truly remarkable person the Indian man is, what a hero.

I've even ASKED in a hotel after being caught short and been told they don't have any for emergency situations. I think it's disgusting.

Having said that, it's surely not a money thing. Why quote the price? Presumably you can afford to buy them.

Good grief! Do you want the hotel to supply your bikini too! Yabu the hotel should not have to supply you with sanitary products. Yes they should have a machine maybe but one you pay for.

PS hotels don't supply razors...... So why would they supply sanitary products free?

Plenty of hotels Ive stayed in provided razors in the rooms.

Razors are pretty standard in the types of places I’ve stayed. Also I’ve never requested a razor from reception but I’d imagine that there are a lot of hotels that would provide one from reception on request even if they’re not in the room.

If it’s a budget hotel that doesn’t provide anything then no, I don’t see why they should provide them free... but there should be some 24hour facility to buy them.

But if it’s a hotel providing soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, shower cap, shoe shine etc etc then why shouldn’t they provide a couple of standard towels for free?

This is another case of men being seen as the default setting for humans and women being some awkward aberration.

It makes sense to have emergency towels in a room. The only place I’ve seen it is a nice independent B & B.

As for the ‘I always carry spares brigade’ bully for you but sometimes bags get lost.
I use a mooncup and reusable towels and I do carry emergency towels but I wouldn’t begrudge another woman a free towel.

Surely premier inn and the like could get sponsored by Always or such like.

PS hotels don't supply razors...... So why would they supply sanitary products free?

Many do. Which makes me think of the comfort packs you get on an aircraft. Many have razors along with a toothbrush and toothpaste but I’ve never had one with a sanitary towel in it. Not even the ones that are gender specific.

True Flora, but they are complementary sanitary pads in the toilet drawers, so they're not needed.

True Flora, but they are complementary sanitary pads in the toilet drawers, so they're not needed

Ive never actually looked. But that said my periods are a very distant memory.

-I've never stayed anywhere that's supplied razors... Even the P & O Brittania with a valet/butler suite we stayed on last Aug didn't supply a razor only the usual shampoo conditioner etc etc

Staying in an IBIS hotel, I saw this and thought of this thread.

this happened to me in February when i was getting a long haul flight, normally keep a couple pads in a bag just in case but in the hurry of trying to keep the number of bags down they got packed into a main bag and checked in, without me giving it much thought as i wasnt due on for at least a week.
got to the airport waiting around for flight go to the loo and boom-period.
check every shop in the airport asked staff no idea what i was talking about (major language barrier)
got onto plane for 12 hour flight with tissue shoved in my knickers.
if there had been free protection offered on that flight i would have been so grateful. most uncomfortable flight ive ever been on worrying about leaking onto the seat, constantly getting up and going to the loo to check i hadnt leaked, change the tissue. definately cost them more in loo roll than i would have too have provided a couple of pads
thankfully managed to get some when i arrived in frankfurt or it would babe been another 2 hour flight on top.
it easy to do if your not expecting your period.
all these people who are its your problem you should deal with it are a bit condecending. i think the majority of women just get on with it without complaint and that i why we are never given any thought.

I agree wholeheartedly! Lovely hotel in London where not only do you get tampons and sanitary towels but they come in a little bag marked tampons in case you are confused! They also have a little bag with condoms in!