I’m a luxury hotel manager – and these are the do’s and don’ts of hotel freebies, from the ones you can take, to the items you MUST leave in the room

You arrive at your luxury hotel for a much-needed getaway and settle into your wonderfully comfortable room.

You’ll admire your hotelier’s attention to detail and the wonderful amenities at your disposal.

As you sit back and relax in your cloud-like robe, think how wonderful it would be to experience this softness and comfort at home. Surely your bathrobe is free and you can take it home with you, right?

Simon Steele, general manager of the luxury Lake District hotel Armathwaite Hall, reveals the answer, plus the rules around other free hotel offers. He also reveals the strangest items guests have tried to take with them.

You can bring: toiletries

Do you feel guilty leaving your hotel with small bottles of shampoo, conditioner or body lotion in your luggage?

It is not necessary.

Simon notes: ‘You can of course take mini disposable toiletries with you from your luxury hotels. In fact, we encourage you to try them out or take them home and enjoy them – quality hotels usually offer quality products!’

Lorela Movileanu, Spa Manager at Armathwaite Hall, offers some additional insight into how your toiletries are selected in luxury hotels.

She says, “We offer Temple Spa miniatures in our hotel rooms. It’s a touch of luxury and lets our guests know they are experiencing only the best. If you love complimentary toiletries in your room, we also offer Temple Spa goodies in our spa so you can stock up on products before you go!’

You can bring: slippers

Simon notes: ‘You can of course take mini disposable toiletries with you from your luxury hotels. In fact, we encourage you to try them out or take them home and enjoy them.” Above – Armathwaite Hall

Want to put those hotel slippers in your suitcase? That’s fine.

Simon says: ‘Our slippers mold perfectly to your foot for that unparalleled comfort, so we don’t reuse them.’

Do not bring: bathrobes and towels

Bathrobes and towels are often stolen from hotel rooms, but Simon says they are off limits.

He says: ‘We only buy the softest and most beautiful bathrobes for our guests. They contribute to the luxury AA Red Star hotel experience we offer, but that means they cannot be taken home.”

What if you’re looking for your own hotel-style robe to recreate your luxury experience at home? Simon says: ‘Our luxury bathrobes provide a superior level of comfort that is almost indescribable. They’re perfect for post-shower lounging, and you’ll be happy to know they’re on sale!

‘Our bathrobes also have our hotel initials, AHH, embroidered on them so you can remember your special stay with us.’

Do not bring: electricity

Bathrobes and towels are often stolen from hotel rooms, but Simon says they are off limits. Above – Armathwaite Hall

Most hotel rooms come with basic amenities, including kettles and hairdryers. But the more expensive your accommodation, the higher your expectations – and the better the facilities.

At boutique hotels you can expect everything from coffee makers to luxurious hair accessories, but make sure you leave these behind.

Simon says: ‘We know that in-room amenities are essential for our guests. But these must remain in our rooms so that all our guests can enjoy these extra special touches.’

Simon adds: ‘In the past we’ve had guests try to take light bulbs and remote controls. Although these items are small and portable, they are not easy to replace. So take future guests into account and leave them where they are.’

Bonus pro tip: don’t steal jewelry

What’s the most unusual item a guest has tried to take from Armathwaite Hall?

“A bulldog ornament, named Winston, from our reception room,” Simon laughs. ‘We couldn’t believe what we saw! It is very unusual for guests to try to bring items from outside the room.”

Does this mean Winston would never be seen again?

Simon adds, “Don’t worry, Winston is back in his house safely. We spoke with the overzealous wedding guest and determined that there had been an obvious misunderstanding. So he welcomes our new customers at the reception again!’