Items that hotel staff normally replace are the only things I might take. Shampoos and such. Since we don’t use bar soap, I haven’t taken any in years. I have zero interest in taking towels and such.

Interestingly, I spent a summer in China years ago and stayed at hotels virtually the entire time. Our dollar going further there, we stayed at what they’d consider some “upscale” places. Some of the things offered were quite interesting, from individual - one time use - shoe polishers, to paper shower slippers were typical. We stayed a couple of days in Bejing and the hotel had little packets of q-tips, a darning kit and I think a couple of other oddities. Heh, they even had a rubber duckie in the tub!! (I didn’t take it).

Usually I take the shampoo and soaps. They come in handy for when I go camping or simply run out at home.

My worst offense came about 13 years ago when I was in the Air Force on a temporary assignment in Germany when I was 21 or 22. We were staying in a nice hotel not on a base, and we were there 3 weeks. Over the last few nights we were there, me and a few of the guys emptied out the mini bars in all of our rooms while playing cards and making drinks. Before hand, using water, coffee from the room, and a coke from the vending machine, we mixed up solutions that had about the same various colors as the liquors we were pilfering. Obviously the vodka ones were easy to reproduce, straight water. We refilled the little bottles with the non-alcoholic solutions as we used them, and stuck them back in the fridge. We never got charged for any of it.

I realize I’m a borderline kleptomaniac when I think about this — On college trips, I started collecting “Do Not Disturb” signs from the backs of hotel doorknobs. Then, it was soap and shampoo. Lately, it’s been pens. For some reason, I like the feel of the pens I get from hotels. Lately, when I go to an event at a hotel ballroom I’ll even pick up about a dozen for my desk.

I just take the shampoo (what’s left of the bottle anyway ) and the little bottles of hand lotion, which are so handy to keep in your purse. I never take towels or soaps.

Last time I stay at an hotel I accidently packed up a towel in all of our wet clothes from swimming. Usually I leave everything there because I simply don’t have room for more stuff.

I travel a lot for work. The appeal of “gifting” myself with hotel items have long lost their appeal. I don’t even bother with the soaps, shampoos and such. Who needs the clutter?

I’ll admit to taking the soap and shampoo, but never did I have as sticky a finger as my grandmother. She brought home an ashtray (remember those?) from every hotel/motel she stayed at. Ditto for glassware, towels, mats and anything else she could safely filch and stash in her car. Her daughter and grandchildren were the lucky recipients of these “gifts”. Hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?

I always take the hand towels and then use them when I workout at my gym.

I’m such a square: I never take anything good from hotels. Usually just shampoo, lotion and pens. Considering what they charge for the stuff in the minifridges, I’d hate to see the ungodly fee they’d assess for a towel or iron.

I have taken a pillow once, because I really liked it. It is still my favorite pillow. Thanks

stlhartg - please see my earlier post on how to avoid mini fridge fees

I stayed at a hotel in Chicago where a sign hung by the towels stating they contained electronic fibers. An alarm would sound if they were removed from the building. It was the most ridiculous thing I had even seen. I took the towels and the sign. I am happy to report no alarm and the towels helped clean up a paint spill in the basement!

I once worked with a guy in the military who “Collected” entry way mats from major military HQs. I never knew why, I just guess he did it because he could. For myself, just the expendables, soap, shampoo, etc.