• Towels are the most frequently stolen hotel item, reported by nearly 88 percent of surveyed hospitality staff.
• Hotel theft creates a significant financial burden, costing the United States hospitality industry roughly one hundred million dollars annually.
• Guests frequently experience confusion regarding which small room amenities are complimentary versus which items remain hotel property.
• High-value items like bathrobes and blankets are regularly taken despite guests knowing they are not free gifts.

A January 2026 report released by the vacation rental platform Deluxe Holiday Homes highlights the most frequently stolen items from hotel rooms. Based on a survey of 1,239 hotel owners and staff members, the study reveals that towels are the most commonly taken amenity, with nearly 88 percent of respondents indicating that guests frequently pack them upon checkout. Industry experts attribute this high rate of theft to the ease of packing such items, which results in significant replacement costs for hotel operators.

Following towels, bathrobes are the second most stolen item, reported by approximately 66 percent of hotel employees. Despite their high replacement cost of at least fifty dollars each, guests often mistakenly assume bathrobes are complimentary. Hangers rank third, with 55 percent of staff reporting their disappearance, largely due to their lightweight and easily packable nature. Toiletries, including soap and tissues, take the fourth spot at 53 percent. The survey notes that the frequent restocking of these items blurs the line between complimentary gifts and hotel property, leading guests to feel less guilty about taking them. Blankets round out the top five, with 36 percent of respondents noting their theft, despite their bulky size and high replacement costs ranging from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty dollars.

The broader financial impact of these thefts is substantial, costing the United States hospitality industry an estimated one hundred million dollars annually. While some guests genuinely confuse small, branded freebies like pens with complimentary gifts, industry experts note that larger items such as blankets and bathrobes are taken with the clear understanding that they belong to the hotel.