Souvenirs are a great way to keep the memory of a traveling experience alive. For some travelers, keyrings and postcards aren’t enough. Everyone wants a good deal on a unique item, but many travelers go too far. The result is usually a high credit card charge and a story of unwise behavior while traveling.
From sneaking silverware to hauling out mattresses, these items have mysteriously vanished from hotel rooms.
01 Silverware
Admiring the elegant silverware of your hotel? Some guests decide to steal the entire set. From a luxurious tableware set to a simple butter knife, these utensils are unfortunately removed from all types of rooms. Some particularly ambitious thieves try to ask room service for additional items for a full matching set.
02 Remote batteries
Most people head to convenience stores when their camera or other device has dead batteries. Enterprising hotel thieves, however, turn to TV remotes. You may not have thought of swiping a few used batteries from a room, but someone else has, making this a common item stolen from hotels.
03 Hotel robes
This one is mainly on the list because of accidental theft. Many travelers believe the hotel robes are complementary and pack them away in their suitcases. Unfortunately, robes are cleaned and reused for other guests. Taking a soft robe for use at home may be accidental theft, but it's still against hotel policy.
04 Shampoo
The first item on this list that’s not technically theft, shampoo bottles are acceptable to take with you. Most hotels have high-end brands or unusually calming scents, so go ahead and pack those little bottles for use at home or throughout your journey.
05 Towels
High-end hotel towels use tracking microchips to prevent theft. This doesn’t stop travelers since towels often end up missing from rooms. They may be comfortable, but these expensive items are washed and made ready for future guests, so they aren’t for you to take.
06 Linens
Enjoyed a great night’s sleep in your hotel room? Some travelers attribute it to the linens and take these silky smooth sheets with them. Leave the linens behind and order yourself a high thread-count set for your home.
07 Pillows
Some hotel guests seem eager to take anything not bolted down. This includes all types of pillows from beds, couches, and chairs around the room. Not only is this theft, but hotels will charge your account for any missing items. That fluffy pillow better be worth it.
08 Artwork
Quirky, classy, or iconic artwork greets travelers in many hotels throughout the world. Some guests feel that the artwork is too good to leave behind. Sneaking artwork out of a hotel is a common issue that results in quite a high credit card charge. In some cases, you’ll even be banned from staying at that hotel or chain again.
09 Hangers
For a more low-budget theft, some travelers take the hangers from a room. Hangers aren’t a high-dollar item but will still come with a charge on your card. Who knew those ordinary household items were so tempting?
10 Wall mirrors
The winner for the most illogical theft is a wall mirror. Some guests actually remove wall mirrors and walk out with them. Not only is a mirror difficult to transport safely, it’s pretty much impossible that the housekeeper isn’t going to notice, and report, this theft.
11 Snacks and breakfast food
Shampoo isn’t the only item that’s acceptable to take from a hotel. Breakfast food and snacks, as long as they’re complimentary, are totally fine to take for the road. You don’t have to practice your ninja skills to wrap up a roll or piece of fruit for your travels.
12 Coffee and tea
It may not be the latest nitro cold brew or matcha, but the coffee and tea at many resorts are quite good. This is another complimentary item to pack up any coffee pods and tea bags you enjoy. These items are commonly taken but are only considered theft if you aren’t paying for a room.
13 Mattress
Travelers looking to add the highest credit card charges to their tab should reach for a mattress. Yes, entire mattresses have been taken from rooms. This ill-advised theft comes with a steep bill and the tough task of hauling a mattress to a vehicle. Assuming the staff doesn’t see the act in progress or a vehicle leaving with a mattress strapped to it, the housekeeper will obviously spot this missing item.
14 Minibar drinks
Many high-end hotels have a stocked minibar for your convenience. You have to pay for any item you take, but some thieves have resorted to refilling items to avoid the fee. This ruse may work for some time, but the housekeeper or next guest is likely to notice a broken seal on a bottle. Some minibars even use sensors, so the staff will know if you remove a bottle from the fridge.
15 Room decorations
Beyond artwork and mirrors, rooms may be furnished with other unique and stylish items. Nothing is beyond the reach of hotel thieves, so light fixtures, picture frames, and other decorations have all been removed. It’s hard to imagine these decorations are worth the resulting credit card charge and possible hotel ban.
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