Take away tales

As Parag K,of a leading business hotel in the city says,it’s something that hotels experience often. “These kind of incidents keep happening quite regularly. However,we factor this in as part of the hotel’s operational cost and that’s why,it’s not such a setback for us,” he adds. While it’s understandable that some guests,especially first-timers,may be tempted to take away toiletries and bath accessories,what defies logic is the shenanigans of some hotel regulars,especially those from an affluent background. “We once had a guest who loaded all items in the mini bar into his suitcase before check out. When we billed him for it,he was shocked and said he thought they were complimentary,” informs Vrushaali,a senior executive at another business hotel in town.

However,though flicking stuff which does not belong to them might appear appalling to many,for hotels (tough to believe but true) it’s actually a huge plus if you get into the ‘take away mode’. “If a guest decides to take away a particular item from the room,it’s only a continuing reminder of his/her stay at the hotel; in that sense,it’s almost good as carrying the hotel’s brand name along,” avers R Manwani,who’s been in the industry for 10 years now.

So,whether it is bath accessories in mini bottles or luxurious,monogrammed bathrobes,those suffering from even a minor form of kleptomania,have been there and done that. However,though the official line adopted by many hotels is that it’s either a part of the operational cost or a reminder of their stay at the hotel,in reality,many hotels are taking a less liberal view of these minor pilferage. “We are left with no option but to pass it on to honest guests,in the form of operational costs,” informs one senior manager at a hotel located in Koregaon Park.

However,what is also true is that it’s very difficult for a hotel to prove that a particular guest is the culprit. “It becomes a question of your word against the housekeeper’s,and you can always get away by saying it was the guest before you who had stolen it,” avers a housekeeping in-charge at a boutique hotel in the city. “If a guest likes a particular item so much as to comprehend taking it away,he always has the option of purchasing it. That would simplify matters so much more,” she adds. Touché!

Items flicked most often from hotels

* Bottle openers

* Fruit knives

* Monogrammed bathrobes

* Sugar tongs

* Tea strainers

* Shower gels

* Bathroom slippers

* Stationery