You know how some people have a liking to hotel bath amenities, such as shampoos, conditioners, lotion, and bring them back for use later or donate it to charity?
Well, I have a small confession to make:
In the same way that some people are fond of bath amenities, I have a soft spot for hotel slippers. Not all hotels offer it, so I always get a little giddy if a hotel offers it!
Ridiculous, right?
The irony is that I’m not even lacking in slippers. I have a durable pair at home – I just never pack them since I like to travel light. At the same time, we all know that the hotel room floors are kind of gross. I don’t ever walk around barefooted in a hotel room, so one that offers room/bath slippers is a welcomed amenity to me.
Where Are Thou (Slippers) most commonly found?
I would sum up my experience this way:
There are always going to be exceptions, but I generally find it less common for hotels to offer room slippers in the states and Europe. This includes mid-tier hotels like Hilton’s or the Sheraton’s. The exceptions are the luxury hotels (i.e. Intercontinental Hotels or Conrads).
Generally speaking, I find that many hotels across Asia (including average ones) offer slippers, even if it’s a pair of cheap, unbranded flimsy single-use paper-backed slippers. Similarly, at the higher end hotels, they tend to offer a better quality, comfortable and branded pair of slippers.
Can you take the slippers home?
In most cases, the room slippers are complimentary — yours to keep if you want them. Most hotels are not in the business of washing slippers for re-use, which would turn off most guests anyway.
I have a small collection at home from my travels. I love having a few extra pairs lying around.
There are a couple of easy ways to tell if you can take the slippers home:
- The single-use flimsy types are yours to wear and keep. The don’t last for long. I don’t take the used ones, but I’ll keep the extra ones if they are still unopened.
- Even the higher quality (hotel branded) pairs are generally there for the guests to take, if it’s got paper-like backing materials. It’s a safe bet because those can’t be washed. The ones offered by Conrad are some of my favorites. It’s like a trip souvenir. Every time I see them, I think about the great stays at the Conrad properties.
- You can also check to see if the slippers are on the room price list. Some hotels allow you to buy some hotel room items, like bathrobes, so that’s another way to check.
In majority of the cases, the hotel slippers are complimentary for guests. If, for whatever reason, you’re still not sure, there’s the tried and true way. Just call up the front desk and ask.
Do you tend to keep the hotel slippers from your travels? Have you ever run into a case where you got charged for hotel room slippers?
I really want to do that but I know it’s not possible.
Agree! Thanks for this item. Hotel slippers are very useful. In the Middle East most hotels offer slippers in executive rooms or higher. Some offer in standard rooms like Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. I collect them for visitors and as memories of hotels visited. Prefer the embossed branded ones. Some Asian ones are more durable and washable, and not the soft cotton type. Have even found some offering rubber flip flops which are great for the beach or pool. Why are most white? Would like some colors for a change.
Bath robes are another issue, but these are not give-aways! I have bought some really nice branded ones cheaply when I know the hotel well, and was even gifted one by Crowne Plaza.