rb: your analogy is ridiculous - filling raincoat pockets with soup. Are you saying that when they place that yellow rubber ducky by the tub at the Renaissance Hotel, they DON'T want you to take it? Gee, let me see...I should leave it for the next guy to take or it's just "for show". Nonsense. Good marketing, if you ask me.

If the hotel provides kleenex, I use it. Yes, I even place some in my bag as I head out for the day. I'm not stealing and don't feel the need to use TP instead - what, to save the hotel money. To each their own, I guess.

In several areas of the US this month, the girl scouts will be conducting "April Showers". They leave a bag on one Saturday and ask you to fill it with toiletries and paper products to be picked up the next Saturday. It all goes to food pantries and shelters. They would welcome any unopened samples.

Toilet paper and kleenex are also welcomed by the food pantries, because food stamps cannot be used to buy these items.

So if you see a bag stuck to your door, donate those samples!

Not only do I not take them, I bring my own conditioner because I usually don't like what is provided by the hotel(even 5 star hotels). I can get away by using an unknown shampoo, but not conditioner. I can see the value in bringing them home to give to give to a shelter, but come on, how cheesy and cheap is it to give them as gifts or put in your own guest room?

I agree cheap to give as gifts, but what's wrong with having a basket of this stuff in the guest bathroom? Why is that cheap?

My guests bring their own shampoo and hand lotion, but if they should happen to forget something, I definitely have them covered!

The hand lotion samples are the most useful item for me. I throw one in my carry on, keep one in my car, etc.

I give mine to a women's shelter.
I have recently ordered from France, some stuff I loved and can't buy here, from one place we stayed.
And here at a sofitel hotels, the shampoo I can't find by Roger Gallet

BUTTERCUP: Do you know if the Girl Scouts will be collecting in Westchester County, New York? I have some I can donate - I can even drop it off at their office (there is one right in my village). My DH is away more than he is home, and I have lots of samples. But I won't part with my rubber duckies :D They are lined up nicely under my computer monitor -- every now and again I make them quack!

When I was a kid, I had an uncle who traveled a lot on business. For birthdays and Christmas, we'd always get ugly clothes that my aunt had chosen, but there would be a few of those exotic hotel soaps in the package, too, and we were just thrilled with them. We could never undertstand why Mom wasn't as thrilled as we were . . .

rb, I was in hotel management for years. I can tell you for a fact that the price of the little hotel soaps and shampoos are paid for by whomever pays for the room.

Marilyn, in my guest rooms, I put regular size containers of every possible item that someone might need.
By the way, I do realize that it is perfectly acceptable to take these items from the hotel. I just don't want them and don't quite understand why others would. As an old lady whose been around a long time I know the best soap, etc. for my uses. Using an unknown product is not something I want to do.

Take them. Like Go Travel said you are paying for them anyway. Also if u ever stay at a cheap motel you can bring your fancy soaps and shampoo.

SusieQQ, I think that is very thoughtful of you. But I don't see anything cheesy about offering a selection of small samples. If one of my guests likes it, I hope they feel free to take it with them ('cause there's plenty more!). Some of the better hotels now offer soaps and shampoos from higher end brands.

Like you, I have my own soap and shampoo that I prefer, but if I had forgotten an item I wouldn't have a problem using a substitute for a couple of days.

it's the size, that I dislike. I always bring or buy when there, bars of soap that are full-sized bars, and give a clean fresh one for a guest at home.

I find that my hair is more sensitive to the change in water regardless of what shampoo I use. But since I have paid for them, I like to take them for the same reasons many others have expressed. Marilyn, you are right -- many hotels are using high-end products, which are very enjoyable.

Ooo, cigale, I sure do agree about the size of the soap! I hate those tiny bars! I've found most of the US hotels have gone to larger bars of soap, but I still get those tiny bars in Europe sometimes, depending on where we are staying. Still, it's fun to buy a bar in France or Italy.

I travel a lot. My principle is that if customer stays one night or five nights, hotels normally charge the same rate. This means that the rate includes all the toileteries, etc, costed into the rate for each day you stay. For customers who stay for only one night, hotel will have to replace it soap etc anyway. You are paying for each of the five days, nothing less.

I would not feel guilty taking it, as you as a customer has already paid for it....

GoTravel - I've put in my dues too in the hospitality industry, and I disagree that the guest has paid for them. "Overhead" - variable expenses that can make or break a business. You wouldn't advocate a guest leave light on all hours or open the window with the AC on - reasoning that the guest already paid for it, would you?

Again, no one is surprised when the amenities are removed, even on a daily basis, but just like any other expense a hotel has: energy, labor, taxes ... the more the overhead is (including those shampoos) the more frequent the price increases are. But please restrict yourself to the amenities, not the ashtrays, towels, artwork or lightbulbs (yes- it happens).

So everyone, enjoy, or at least find a USE for those amenities, just as I do those tissues - but remember how much you enjoy them when the rates go up.

I bet you even Paris Hilton takes the soaps, shampoo, robe and even more.

As an employee of the leading hotel amenities manufacturer, I highly encourage you to take them. Don't feel guilty. Think of all of us you are helping to keep employed!

Having just unpacked from nine days away from home on vacation, I have to admit that I just unloaded shampoo, conditioner, shower caps and mending kits. I only take the sample if I like the product. I don't see anything wrong about bringing them home with me. But I certainly wouldn't feel free to helpself to the robes, roses (that were in our hotel at the Williamsburg Inn), ashtrays, decorative arts,or umbrellas, etc., that are in the room to make our stay more "homey". Like one of the posters, I bought large bottles of a wonderful shampoo in the hotel gift shop made just for The Homestead Resort in Virginia. It is a wonderful way for them to advertise their own product.
My advice: When in doubt, ask someone at the hotel. Oh by the way, I DO eat the chocolates left on my pillow! And I tip the maid!

Taking the robes would be like taking the bed linens - a no, no. In many hotels, you can buy the robes and even brand new linens (love the ones at the Ritz). I think muffin collects the robes from various hotels - but I assume she/he pays for them, lol. Speaking of muffin....