The items it’s acceptable to take from a hotel room (and those that should ALWAYS stay put) revealed by etiquette expert William Hanson

Australia
By William

By Ted Thornhill, Ny Breaking travel editor

Published: | Updated:

What is and is not acceptable to take home from a hotel room?

This is a question about etiquette expert William Hanson who answers in a viral TikTok post he filmed in a ‘sundeck’ cabin on the QE2 floating hotel in Dubai that has been viewed 2.5 million times.

Mr Hanson explains that ‘basically anything small’ is fine to take home, for example the dental and shaving sets, miniature shampoo and body wash, and the slippers.

Mr Hanson points out that the slippers in his room are labeled ‘love me, use me, take me home’.

“Words to live by,” said Mr Hanson, who added in an email to MailOnline Travel: “You can also take the postcard with the nice photo of the hotel, or the stationery with their details on it, out of the room delete, if you will. It is good, accessible marketing for the hotel.’

So, what is not acceptable to pack before checking out?

In the videosays Mr Hanson: ‘Things like the mug or the cups and saucers, the glasses, the pillow, the dressing gown… please leave those in the room because stealing is not good etiquette.’

Mr Hanson told MailOnline: ‘If you fancy some china you may discover it is for sale in reception. Always ask.

What is and is not acceptable to take home from a hotel room? This is question etiquette expert William Hanson (above) responding in a viral TikTok post he filmed in a ‘sundeck’ cabin on Dubai’s QE2 floating hotel, which has been viewed 2.5 million times

WHAT IS THE IDEAL STATE TO LEAVE A HOTEL ROOM?

Mr Hanson said: ‘You don’t have to leave your hotel room looking like a show house, but it shouldn’t look like a bomb has just gone off either. That’s unfair to the housekeeping team, who have to service not only your room, but many others as well. Place all the towels in the bathroom – in the bath or on the floor in a neat pile – make sure the bed linen is on the bed and there are no pillows or duvets on the floor, and put all hangers back in the wardrobe.’

‘And cushions and decorative cushions, these are items that you should never remove. It’s amazing how many guests think they can get away with filling a suitcase or two. Here too they may be for sale, or the hotel can tell you the name of the supplier.’

We asked Mr. Hanson if it’s bad form to give people hotel gifts.

He replied, “I probably wouldn’t give many people a free gift from a hotel, but for example a close friend or family member might get an extra pair of fluffy slippers.

‘A few weeks before Britain went into lockdown, many Britons were panicking. I was staying in a hotel abroad and decided to steal the spare toilet roll to give to a friend as a (joking) hostess gift.’

And what are Mr. Hanson’s favorite small items to take with him?

He said, “I love taking the bag of bath salts home with me, especially when I’ve enjoyed a bath in that hotel. Then, when I’m sitting in my own bath, I can close my eyes and imagine that I’m on holiday somewhere else again.’

For more information from Mr. Hanson, visit his TikTok And Instagram profiles.

Slippers are always great to take with you, says Mr Hanson, who also told MailOnline: 'If you fancy some china you might discover it's for sale at reception. Always ask'

Slippers are always great to take with you, says Mr Hanson, who also told MailOnline: ‘If you fancy some china you might discover it’s for sale at reception. Always ask’

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