Stealing from the Hotel?

Have you ever taken the amenities; shampoo or soap? A hanger? The letterhead? or maybe something more substantial? Is it stealing or is it a gift from the hotel included with the room rates. Besides wouldn't there be a note that the item is for sale or you will be charged for it?

I think most of the smaller items are OK to take home. The marketing gurus want you to remember what a great time you had at their hotel. But have you ever taken larger items? What about the hanger? Is that a gray area? You don’t really need it, just has a great logo that would look nice in your closet.

Have you ever been to a hotel where you love the key? I don't mean an electronic key, but rather a real key with a logo on the keychain. I love those and quite frankly, cant resist. There was a time when I had to have the match box from every hotel I stayed, it was an obsession. I was able to stop the habit cold turkey after the house almost went up in flames.

Most hotels do want you to take amenities with logos, but some of the more substantial items should stay in the room like ash trays, sheets, pillow cases, umbrellas, silverware, plates, alarm clock, CD/DVD player, towels and bathrobes. These items can be for sale thru the hotel and their websites. www.shopmarriott.com, www.hyattathome.com, and www.whotelsthestore.com are a few that I have used.

I enjoyed the article from our friends at Travel + Leisure Magazine, Stealing Hotel Amenities: Right or Wrong? by Lynn Yaeger. www.travelandleisure.com/articles/stealing-hotel-amenities-right-or-wrong Lynn admits to finding the heavy ivory linen dry cleaning bag irresistible. What do you find irresistible?