Stealing From A Hotel Room

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Going on vacation? What can you take from the hotel in good conscience and what is not yours for the price of the hotel room?

A recent study by Hotels.com asked about the honesty of hotel guests, and what they felt free to take home with them.

Globally, 35 percent of travelers say they make off with more than the shampoos, taking home towels, robes and even lamps. Come to think of it, what can you legally take with you from a hotel?

While hotels have their own policies on what guests may or may not bring home, in general the toiletries that are yours to use while you're there are yours to keep if you don't use them. Shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions if supplied in individual bottles are yours.

If disposable slippers are provided, you may take those as well since they can't be reused. And stationery and logo pens which may be used may also be taken with you. But other items like towels and bathrobes are not to be taken home just because they're not nailed down. Ditto for the coffee mugs and hair dryers.

If they are missing, you will be charged. And it should go without saying that if you take the television or mini-refrigerator, you can be charged for money and with the crime of theft. Plus, who wants a mini-Toblerone bar anyway?