Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pinching stuff from hotel rooms/villas

360 replies

Januaryisjustaweirdmonth · 19/01/2023 21:22

Do you do it? Is it acceptable, is it illegal? I actually have no idea.
Would you take bath soaps/bubbles etc, loo rolls, towels, a robe?
Just curious really
I’ve always taken the little bottles/soaps with me when I’ve left somewhere I’ve stayed and thought nothing of it.
Do people take more though and is that illegal actually?

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/01/2023 14:13

I did used to take tea bags etc as well - and be really keen on having the toiletries - but I was in an EA (and I think also financially abusive) relationship, and I think it gave me a feeling of a bit of control.

Ive realised now it’s better just to buy a jar of coffee for guests (I don’t drink coffee) than to pinch the mini sachets. Less annoying to store for one thing!

limitedperiodonly · 20/01/2023 14:26

I've had cause to use a free hotel sewing kit today to repair a tear in my cardigan where the sleeve came away from the body at the armpit seam. Wool would have been better, cashmere for preference but the strand of black cotton and needle did the trick. Otherwise the whole sleeve would have come off and it's a really nice cardigan.

In the 30+ years I've been taking stuff thoughtfully provided by hoteliers for guests I've never had to use a sewing kit. Well, the little gold safety pins. A rummage through the large oriental-style jar I keep them in has reminded me on some lovely holidays and how inventive some hotels are.

Obviously I've used all the shampoo, shower gel and body lotion. But I found a stash of emery boards, disposable razors, plasters, dental floss, some tampons - I don't need tampons any more but I might put them out for guests which is a Mumsnet hot topic along with bathroom bins - some toothbrushes that are a bit crap but would come in handy for going round the taps. There are some items that should go. The little shoe polish sponges are dried out and crumbling like me and so many shower caps. Why does anyone ever take shower caps?

The best thing was a compressed loofah from one of the nicest hotels I've stayed in which was a 5-star converted sultan's harem in Istanbul on the European bank of the Bosphorus. It had an infinity pool before infinity pools were a thing. You could imagine the swimmers were like Lord Byron crossing continents We didn't try it because Istanbul can be very bracing in springtime.

I might rehydrate that loofah tonight when DH comes home.

xogossipgirlxo · 20/01/2023 14:26

I don't, but I know someone who does it. It's Ross Geller 😁

Atichen · 20/01/2023 14:29

I Recently stayed in a cottage and ended up leaving more roles of toilet paper that was there when we arrive.

HoteIs -I will take the tea/coffee as they are useful for hiking, and would take miniatures (that I use). I have also refilled my own travel shampoo bottle from the one screwd on on the wall (next place i was saying wouldn't have any) but as others haved said not loo roll and nothing that gets re-used/is attached. Though I don't stay in fancy places that have slippers or robes

limitedperiodonly · 20/01/2023 14:43

We have loads of slippers. It's my husband who takes them because they are always man-sized though they are useful if I'm getting out of the shower so long as I don't walk too far.

He takes at least a pair a day when using the hotel gym or swimming pool. It all adds up. He was ashamed when I discovered his slipper stash but so happy when I just shrugged.

These things are made to be taken and are used by hotels to remind us at this dreary time of year of what a smashing time we had in the summer and how we really should go again.

JimHensonWasAGenius · 20/01/2023 14:44

Hotel branded Notepaper, Envelopes, Notepads, postcards and pens are fair game in my book.

I do use them though and the way I see it it's advertising for the hotel.

GasPanic · 20/01/2023 14:54

I used to work in a place where there was a minibar next to the sink where we used to keep the milk. I never got round to asking where it came from but this thread has made me wonder.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 20/01/2023 15:01

I do apologise, ExasperatedbyJanuary - I misinterpreted your saying 'most of this stuff' and I now realise you were only referring to the consumables that are intended for people to use up and/or take.

EasterIsland · 20/01/2023 16:35

but if the shower gel and body lotion are nice then I might take them.

The only time I ever take hotel toiletries home is if they use Le Labo products, and then only certain scents from that range.

TellMeTheTruthTheWholeTruth · 20/01/2023 17:35

I've just remembered, I've taken a few of those little sachets of decaff coffee in case I go to a friends house who doesn't have decaff!

Pandor · 20/01/2023 18:11

I wouldn’t want second-hand towels/robes nicked from a hotel any more than I’d want someone’s stolen second-hand underwear.

StarlightLady · 20/01/2023 18:16

Mini toiletries, tea bags etc in an hotel are yours. They come included in the room price. Dressing gowns etc do not.

limitedperiodonly · 20/01/2023 18:21

EasterIsland · 20/01/2023 16:35

but if the shower gel and body lotion are nice then I might take them.

The only time I ever take hotel toiletries home is if they use Le Labo products, and then only certain scents from that range.

That's very niche. I have them too. They are excellent and I was given them in my important work role. They were free but it's so much better than saying you took them from the hotel bathroom like trashy people.

Original poster
Januaryisjustaweirdmonth · 20/01/2023 19:16

Ok, so, what if on the hotel guide/pamphlets thingy, it says ‘Complimentary toiletries’ but they are large bottles? One in each bathroom, they’re not fixed to the wall, just large bottles…would you take those?

OP posts:
StarlightLady · 20/01/2023 19:49

I would not take a large bottle.

Mydogatemypurse · 20/01/2023 19:51

Januaryisjustaweirdmonth · 20/01/2023 19:16

Ok, so, what if on the hotel guide/pamphlets thingy, it says ‘Complimentary toiletries’ but they are large bottles? One in each bathroom, they’re not fixed to the wall, just large bottles…would you take those?

No

Purplebunnie · 20/01/2023 19:58

Friends episode where Ross stole everything, couldn't get it all in the case and the case opened in Reception or did I imagine it

woodhill · 20/01/2023 19:59

Only the complimentary items otherwise it is stealing.

Blossomtoes · 20/01/2023 20:11

I don’t understand taking tea bags and coffee. They never supply enough for use in the room, let alone to take away.

Beeswood · 20/01/2023 20:21

Purplebunnie · 20/01/2023 19:58

Friends episode where Ross stole everything, couldn't get it all in the case and the case opened in Reception or did I imagine it

Here it is!

BonjourPetitPois · 20/01/2023 22:30

I definitely sneak a few of those mini Nutella pouches into my bag at the buffet breakfast, as a treat at home for the kids (ahem, me).

limitedperiodonly · 20/01/2023 22:34

People should broaden their horizons from shower gel and bath robes. I was once on a work trip to Finnish Lapland with a popular soap actress for a cosy story for our Christmas cover.

She attempted to steal a £2,000 fur coat we lent her for the photo shoot. When I said she had to give it back she said I was a bitch and she was freezing. She wore it on the plane home and in the taxi from Heathrow where it was unseasonably warm. I wrestled it from her on her doorstep because otherwise it was going to come out of my wages.

Therefore I am quire relaxed about people pinching gin miniatures from the mini bar and jars of Tiptree jam at breakfast

Purplebunnie · 20/01/2023 23:07

Beeswood · 20/01/2023 20:21

Here it is!

Show quote history

Thank you, glad I didn't imagine it😂

ChopSuey2 · 20/01/2023 23:32

I take the mini toiletries I'll use and the tea bags (got to have emergency tea bags in the cupboard!) I don't take the biscuits because I don't eat dairy and they are always buttery ones.

Taking robes, towels etc is just plain theft

Dummycrusher · 20/01/2023 23:33

All you people taking teabags and coffee sachets, do you seriously go and put them in your cupboards and use them? I can't believe anybody can be arsed to do this!