Most people check into a luxury hotel and stick to the basics, even after paying a high nightly rate. But a lot more is actually included than people realize. Some of it gets overlooked because guests assume it’s off-limits. Even hotel staff expect you to use certain extras. A 2023 survey by Wellness Heaven found many guests take things they shouldn’t, while leaving behind perks they’re actually allowed to enjoy
Toiletries
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You don’t need to leave those small bottles behind. The shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash are meant for you to use and take if you want. Hotels stock them in bulk for exactly that purpose. As Ousman Conteh from Claridge House Chicago explains, these items are part of your stay. If they’re unopened, they often go to waste anyway, so taking them with you actually makes more sense.
Shoe Shine Kits
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Check the drawers before you leave. Many rooms include a small shoe-shine kit that most people miss. It usually comes with a sponge and a polishing cloth, and it’s meant for one-time use. Hotels don’t collect or reuse these. As Tamara Allen points out, housekeeping replaces them just like other small amenities, so you can take it without a second thought.
Stationery
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That notepad and pen on the desk aren’t just there for show. Hotels place their logo on them for a reason. When you carry a branded pen outside, it quietly promotes the property. It’s part of how hospitality works behind the scenes. Taking the pen or notepad isn’t frowned upon. It’s expected, and most hotels see it as part of the experience.
Coffee and Tea
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Everything set up at the in-room coffee station is there for you to use. The coffee packets, tea bags, hot chocolate, sugar sticks, and stirrers are all restocked after each guest, so taking what’s already in your room is completely fine. Just don’t start collecting extras from shared stations in the lobby. That’s where staff usually draw the line.
The Bible
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The Bibles placed in some hotel nightstands come from Gideons International, an organization that has been placing Bibles in hotel rooms since 1908. The organization leaves them there, hoping travelers will pick them up and keep them, so the hotel pays nothing for the copies.
Disposable Slippers
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Those lightweight slippers in your room are often meant for one-time use. Unlike the thicker pairs some hotels wash and reuse, these are usually thrown out after a guest leaves. So if you want to pack them for your flight or use them later, that’s completely fine. Housekeeping already treats them as disposable, so taking them doesn’t cause any issue.
Sewing Kits, Razors, and Cotton Swabs
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Five-star properties regularly stock the bathroom or a small amenity tray with toothbrushes, nail files, razors, cotton swabs, and mini sewing kits, which management knows guests can take with them. Unlike robes or in-room electronics, these small items are priced and stocked with guest removal already built into the calculation.
Promotional Items and Dry-Cleaning Bags
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If you notice amenity bags, dry-cleaning bags, or small promotional items in your room, those are usually meant for you to use and take with you. Hotels often include them as part of the overall experience, especially in higher-end stays. Sometimes, branded tote bags or small lifestyle products may be part of a seasonal welcome. If it’s placed in your room when you arrive, it’s there for your convenience, not something you’re expected to leave behind.
Complimentary Champagne and Gifts
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Some five-star hotels offer complimentary gifts that never get advertised on the booking page. Joanna McCreary, general manager of the W Hotel in Austin, Texas, has noted that her property offers complimentary Champagne to guests during peak check-in periods because the hotel purchases in bulk and passes the goodwill along. Other luxury properties occasionally leave welcome chocolates or locally sourced products.
Sunscreen at the Pool
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Several resort hotels, particularly in beach and tropical destinations, stock complimentary sunscreen at pool or beach concierge stations as part of the overall outdoor guest experience. At high-end all-inclusive properties, it's common for them to include these amenities in the nightly rate. Travel-size versions are sometimes available to take back to the room, though availability varies by property. Asking the pool concierge can clear any doubt or confirm the hotel's policy.