A new survey asked hotel staff what guests steal most often from hotel rooms. Some of the results aren’t surprising — but a few might be.
In 2019, Wellness Heaven, a luxury and spa hotel guide based in Germany, surveyed 1,157 hoteliers to find out what their guests stole and the nationalities of who stole what. They updated their survey in 2023, and we reported on those results.
There hadn’t been another big survey on hotel theft since then and, let’s face it, even a couple of years can feel like a long time in the travel world. So we’ve been on the lookout for a newer survey, to see if trends had changed. Were people stealing different items?
Finally, a new survey was released earlier this year and both Forbes and Travel + Leisure, among others, wrote about it.
The actual report was done by Deluxe Holiday Homes, who surveyed over 1,200 hotel staff members and hotel owners to ask them what items were stolen most from their properties.
The top ten most-stolen items
Spoilers! When you compare 2019 to 2026, things haven’t changed all that much.
1. Towels
In 2019, the #1 item stolen from hotels was towels, with 77.5% of respondents saying they were frequently taken.
In 2026? Towels were still the item most often stolen from hotels. In fact, more than 88% of the survey respondents said they were commonly stolen. According to the hospitality industry expert from Deluxe Holiday Homes, the high theft rate is because of how easily towels can be packed and snuck out.
“Hotels lose more money replacing towels than any other stolen item,” the expert stated in the report. However, some hotels are fighting back.
2. Bathrobes
Bathrobes were the second most-stolen item in 2019. They still are.
In fact, nearly 66% of participants in the 2026 study said that bathrobes were commonly taken by guests.
“Sometimes guests think the bathrobes are free to take, but that’s never true. They are actually quite luxurious items, costing hotels at least $50 each,” the expert shared. Again, hotels are becoming well known for tracking and charging for stolen bathrobes.
3. Hangers
Just as in 2019, hangers were the #3 most stolen item from hotels in 2026.
685 survey participants (55%) reported hangers being among the top stolen items, mainly because they’re lightweight and easy to pack. And if you’ve ever had to deal with those annoying hangers that don’t have a hook on them, now you know why.
4. Toiletries
In 2019, the #4 item most stolen was pens (although I personally always thought pens were something you were encouraged to take).
In 2026, the #4 item is toiletries.
Of course, if you’re like me, you may be wondering how toiletries made the list at all, since those little personal-size bottles are becoming a dying breed. The survey specified soap, shampoo and tissues, but didn’t say if the soaps and shampoo were sample sized ones or the big bulk containers (some of which are easily removed from the bathroom, while others could be pumped out into another, more portable container).
5. Blankets
Back in 2019, cutlery was #6. But in 2026? It’s blankets. In fact, over 1/3 of respondents (36%) said that, despite the bulk of a blanket, they’ve experienced people stealing them.
6. Pillows
Almost one in three respondents said pillows had been stolen from their hotel. In 2019, the #6 item was cosmetics, according to Wellness Heaven. (I’m assuming by “cosmetics” they mean Q-tips, cotton balls, etc.)
7. Hair dryers
Hair dryers aren’t exactly luxury items, but that apparently doesn’t stop people from stealing them. According to over 25% of the 2026 survey respondents (in 2019, the #7 most stolen item was batteries [from remote controls, etc.]).
8. Pens
2019’s #4 is 2026’s #8. 21% of hotels said pen theft was an issue (in 2019, #8 was artwork).
9. Dishes
While blankets were #9 way back in 2019, nowadays it’s dishes. 14% of hotels said their guests have stolen plates, cups, and other items.
10. Remote controls
People were stealing remote controls back in 2019, too – it was #13. Now it’s #10. Not that most remove controls can be used between TVs, but there ya go.
Final thoughts
Stealing items from a hotel room might seem harmless to some guests, but the costs add up fast. Industry estimates say hotel theft costs properties around $100 million a year in the U.S. alone.
And despite changes in travel trends, the items people swipe most haven’t changed all that much. Towels, bathrobes and hangers are still just as tempting now as they were years ago.
Be honest — have you ever taken anything from a hotel room besides the toiletries?
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