We will be staying mostly in smaller 3 star hotels. Do they usually supply those cute little bottles of shampoo and lotion that American hotels do or should we bring our own? (trying to cut down on anything nonessential in luggage) (and would rather avoid shopping for the mundane while there) thanks

In my experience, shampoo—yes, lotion—don't count on it.

It depends of course. Some do, some do not. My wife takes the 3 oz minimum on shampoo, soap and lotion. If they have it, we use it, if not she uses ours. When we are low, she enjoys shopping for the necessities while there. Different scents, etc. She found a wonderful shampoo and lotion that she loves so much that she orders it through ebay when she need more.

A three star hotel will have these amenities, and so will most 2 star. However, Monoprix has a great selection of wonderful toiletries very inexpensively priced and it´s fun to take a look at what the French commonly purchase.

Even for men Monoprix carries Monsavon, shaving soaps costing 1.55€ which I have seen sold in the US for $9.

Even Ibis gives the little shampoo bottles. Don't count on any lotion in a hotel with less than 3 stars, though.

Yes to shampoo, but the quality varies. Some hotels we've been in provided a liquid soap dispenser fixed to the wall (not small bottles) and the soap was supposed to serve as body wash and shampoo. Lotion? 50/50 chance. If you're used to a rich thick body lotion, you may be disappointed.

Conditioner? Again, 50/50 and the quality varies. We were recently at a hotel that provided shampoo and conditioner. But we checked the ingredients - the conditioner formulation was exactly the same as the shampoo.

Also, many hotels provide only liquid soap but no sponge, scrunch thingy or facecloth. So I bring my own net scrunch from home plus small bottles filled with my shampoo and conditioner in case we get somewhere late at night, the hotel's supplies aren't up to scratch and I don't feel like going out hunting for supplies before the next day's morning shower.

Who cares? Use this as an excuse. Go have fun and shop in French pharmacy/Monoprix, etc to get some goodies! I usually end up buying more and bringing them home.

I think it depends on where you are going. We found that in larger towns or cities there may be shampoo but nothing else, but in smaller villages we usually found only a tiny packet of shampoo given if anything. I've often made the emergency run to the local market looking for toiletries, luckily L'oreal is available everywhere so you can usually find a brand you are familiar with.

>>>>>>Who cares? Use this as an excuse. Go have fun and shop in French pharmacy/Monoprix, etc to get some goodies! <<<<<<

I love shopping for ordinary things in France and since we camp, I spend a lot of time in the local Champion or Monoprix, but draw the line at hair care products where an "experiment" can be a disaster. My hair is very fine and limp so the wrong stuff on my hair can make it look dirty and greasy even if I'm just out of the shower. So I usually stick with a L'oreal shampoo I'm familiar with.

Vacation pics are no time for "bad hair"

> Even Ibis gives the little shampoo bottles.

Which Ibis is it? From my experience, all Ibis I tried in recent years, a few in Paris and in Marseille, had soap/body wash dispenser on the wall as FoFoBT wrote (supposed to be eco-friendly).

I agree the quality varies and I suspect most of the time what I buy/bring myself is of much better quality and better scent as well. In order to get great products, you need to stay in 5* or at least at a good 4* hotel. I'm ok with those 2 - 3* products myself though.

It is much more eco-friendly to have a dispenser as well as cheaper.

It really varies in the hotels I've been in. They always have soap, of course, but I don't think I"ve seen "lotion" that much. Usually shampoo, not that I use it, it's always too harsh for me. And lots of times it may be packets which aren't enough. Sometimes the more expensive hotels are cheaper with these things than the 2* ones, in my experience.

Just get some 3 oz containers from your local dollar store and pack what you like to use. Why take a chance on getting oddball products or none at all? I also take a small container with Woolite for anything that needs hand washing (knee highs) or if you have a spill.

Many smaller hotels do not provide wash cloths, in case you aren't aware. The last we stayed at did not but they did provide shampoo and soap.

I took those disposable "washcloths" that are loaded with cleanser that is activated by water. They are small and flat and easy to pack. I just have to have a wash cloth, of sorts, for my face. I think Olay or Ponds makes them.

thanks everyone for the excellent advice

In our experience lots of hotels in Europe have shampoo dispensers attached to the shower wall. Often there is no conditioner, lotion, shower cap, wash cloth, or shoe shine mitts.

Thus, good idea to take a small supply or like many others have suggested enjoy the experience of trying new products during your travels. You may find some extraordinary products, which also make great souvenirs!