These Are the Hotel Amenities That You Should Ask For

With airline bag policies constantly changing, travelers often have to make tough choices about what to bring and what to leave at home. Thankfully, hotels have noticed and usually stock complimentary amenities that most guests would never think to request. 

“We often encounter guests who either forget or choose to leave behind certain amenities that just don’t make the cut,” says Joon Chang, assistant general manager at Kimpton Hotel George in Washington, D.C. “Ultimately, we want guests to feel their best while staying with us, and if our amenities can free up a bit of suitcase space for souvenirs and unforgettable memories instead, that’s even better.”

The Essentials Most Hotels Offer

Travel + Leisure asked more than a dozen hotels what they offer and found that most hotels have basics like phone chargers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, mouthwash, and combs. Many properties also keep makeup wipes, shower caps, nail clippers, tweezers, and feminine hygiene products on hand. Sewing kits and lint rollers are among the most universally available yet rarely requested items. 

Hotels often provide irons, steamers, hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners—pretty convenient given the recent TSA ban on cordless hair tools. If you’re an international traveler, it’s a good idea to ask what plug adapters and voltage converters are available at a hotel before you purchase your own—it could save you a few extra bucks. However, before you decide to leave any essentials at home, it’s a good idea to call ahead and verify what the hotel actually has.

Small convenience items can make a big difference: think lip balm, shaving cream, stain-remover wipes, antistatic spray, hair bands, and even TSA-approved liquid bags for your return flight. Kimpton’s Forgot It? We Got It initiative makes all of these available at select properties, including Hotel Monaco D.C. and Hotel George. Pet-friendly properties often stock waste bags, water bowls, and even treats for four-legged guests.

Wardrobe Fixes

Beyond basic toiletries, many hotels maintain “wardrobe rescue” kits and services. Properties ranging from boutique hotels to luxury resorts keep backup clothing items, such as ties, bow ties, dark socks, pantyhose, belts, and fashion tape. Some concierge teams can even help you perfect a bow tie knot before an evening event or discreetly sew on buttons.

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California, takes the service a step further with complimentary laundry for workout gear, which includes two shirts, two pairs of pants or shorts, one sports bra, and one pair of socks, daily per room.

You can even customize your sleep experience.

Pillow menus are becoming increasingly common, with options ranging from ultra-soft to extra-firm, hypoallergenic, and even body pillows for pregnant travelers. White noise machines and humidifiers are frequently available, along with extra blankets, air purifiers, and blackout curtains or sleep masks.

The Rockaway Hotel + Spa in Queens, New York, provides earplugs alongside a curated pillow selection. Meanwhile, in Japan, Six Senses Kyoto has traditional Japanese hot water bags that warm the bed and soothe sore muscles after a day of sightseeing.

Tech Gadgets and Printing

Beyond the ubiquitous phone chargers, hotels are increasingly stocking extension cords, HDMI cables for connecting laptops to TVs, and international adapters. Some properties even offer printing and scanning services at the front desk, and bathroom scales are available as well for weighing luggage before flights to avoid overweight bag fees. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole goes the extra mile, with desk chairs and computer monitors for remote workers.

Family Essentials

Of all the kinds of hotel amenities that you can ask for, you will probably have the most options when it comes to things for the kiddos. Cribs, pack-n-plays, high chairs, and bed rails are standard offerings at most family-friendly properties. Many hotels even provide baby monitors, bottle warmers, changing tables, sterilizers, baby-safe bath amenities, and even diapers.

Leonidas Anagnostou, general manager of Sandblu Resort in Santorini, Greece, notes that families often overlook using the concierge for children’s needs. His property keeps walkie-talkies, bathtubs, safety rails, baby wipes, diaper bins, and soft towels available. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole even offers baby-proofing services, including bumpers for sharp corners, so parents can relax knowing their little explorers are safe.

Location-specific Surprises

Some amenities only make sense for their location. At The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, located between both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, guests can borrow bear spray and hiking poles, two hard-to-transport items that are essential for hiking in the area. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, provides hand and foot warmers and branded gloves during the winter, along with curated hiking and running trail maps, while properties near beaches often have umbrellas, bikes, kids’ swim toys, and floaties available for loan.

At Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood, guests can take guitars or arrange tours of the property’s legendary underground recording studio, NightBird. And at Fairmont Austin, guests can request record players and vinyl for their rooms, a nod to the Live Music Capital of the World.