I'm a luxury hotel manager - and these are the do's and don'ts of hotel freebies, from the ones you can take, to the items you MUST leave in the room

You arrive at your luxury hotel for a much-needed getaway and settle into your gorgeously comfortable room.

You admire your hotelier’s attention to detail and the beautiful amenities you have been provided with.

As you lay back and relax in your cloud-like robe, you think about how wonderful it would be to experience this softness and comfort at home. Surely your robe is complimentary and you can take it home, right?

Simon Steele, General Manager at luxury Lake District hotel Armathwaite Hall, reveals the answer, plus the rules around other hotel freebies. He also divulges the strangest items that guests have tried to take.

You can take: toiletries

Simon Steele (above), General Manager at luxury Lake District hotel Armathwaite Hall, reveals the rules around hotel freebies

Feel guilty for leaving your hotel with dinky bottles of shampoo, conditioner or body lotion in your luggage?

There’s no need to.

Simon comments: ‘Mini disposable toiletries are of course OK to take from your luxury hotels. In fact, we encourage you to try them out or take them home and enjoy them – quality hotels usually offer quality products!’

Lorela Movileanu, Spa Manager at Armathwaite Hall, offers a little extra insight into how your toiletries are selected at luxury hotels.

She says: ‘We offer Temple Spa miniatures in our hotel rooms. It is a little touch of luxury and lets our guests know that they are only experiencing the best. If you love your toiletry freebies in your room, we also offer Temple Spa goodies in our spa, so you can stock up on full-sized products before you leave!’

You can take: slippers

Simon comments: ‘Mini disposable toiletries are of course OK to take from your luxury hotels. In fact, we encourage you to try them out or take them home and enjoy them.' Above - Armathwaite Hall

Want to pop those hotel slippers in your suitcase? That’s toe-tally fine.

Simon comments: ‘Our slippers mould perfectly to your foot for that unrivalled comfort, so we do not reuse them.’

Do not take: robes and towels

Bathrobes and towels are commonly stolen from hotel rooms, but according to Simon, they are off-limits.

He says: ‘We procure only the softest and finest-made bathrobes for our guests. They add to that luxurious, AA Red Star hotel experience that we offer, but that means they cannot be taken home.’

What if you are looking to get your own hotel-style robe to recreate your luxury experience at home? Simon says: ‘Our luxury robes offer a superior level of comfort that’s almost indescribable. They’re perfect for post-shower lounging, and you’ll be pleased to know that they can be purchased!

‘Our robes are also embroidered with our hotel initials, AHH, so that you can remember your special stay with us.’

Do not take: electricals

Bathrobes and towels are commonly stolen from hotel rooms, but according to Simon, they are off-limits. Above - Armathwaite Hall

Most hotel rooms will come with basic amenities, including kettles and hairdryers. But the more upmarket your accommodation, the higher your expectations – and the better the facilities.

You can expect anything from coffee-makers to luxury hair tools in boutique hotels – but be sure to leave them behind.

Simon says: ‘We know that in-room amenities are essential for our guests. But these must stay in our rooms so all our guests can enjoy these extra-special touches.’

Simon adds: ‘In the past, we have had guests try to take lightbulbs and remote controls. Whilst these items are small and portable, they are not easily replaceable – so please consider future guests and leave them where they are.’

Bonus pro tip: no stealing ornaments

So, what is the most unusual item a guest has tried to take from Armathwaite Hall?

‘A bulldog ornament, called Winston, from our reception area,’ laughs Simon. ‘We could not believe what we were seeing! It is very unusual for guests to try to take items from outside of the room.’

Does that mean Winston was never to be seen again?

Simon adds: ‘Not to worry, Winston is safely back in his home. We spoke to the overzealous wedding guest, where we established that there was a clear misunderstanding – so he is back welcoming our new customers arriving in reception!’