Beyond the Toiletry Bag: Hospitality Industry Reports $100 Million Annual Loss from Guest Theft

A new 2026 survey of 1,200 hotel staff reveals that towels and bathrobes are the most stolen items, costing the U.S. hospitality industry $100 million annually.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 7:24 AM EDT

Source: Southern Living

The High Cost of Missing Textiles

Contrary to the popular belief that mini shampoos are the primary target, towels have been identified as the most frequently stolen item from hotel properties. Over 88% of survey respondents from Deluxe Holiday Homes cited towel disappearance as a major operational hurdle. The logistics of towel theft are surprisingly simple; their soft nature makes them easy to compress into suitcases, and they are often perceived as a "low-stakes" item by guests. However, for a high-occupancy hotel, the cumulative cost of replacing plush bath and pool towels represents the largest single category of theft-related expenditure.

Bathrobes and Luxury Item Shrinkage

Ranking second in the survey, bathrobes are reported as a commonly stolen item by nearly 66% of hotel staff. Unlike small toiletries, these are high-cost luxury goods, often retailing or costing the hotel a minimum of $50 per unit. Industry experts suggest that the "blurring of the lines" between complimentary gifts and hotel property often leads guests to assume that branded robes are inclusive of the room rate. This misconception significantly impacts boutique and luxury resorts that rely on high-quality linens to maintain their brand identity and guest experience standards.

Functional Hardware and Room Accessories

The theft trend extends beyond linens into functional room hardware. Hangers ranked third in the report, favored by guests for being lightweight and easy to pack. Perhaps more surprising is the disappearance of electronics and furniture-adjacent items; the survey highlights that hair dryers, remote controls, and even dishes and pillows frequently go missing. These items represent a "hard cost" for hotels, as a room cannot be flipped for a new guest until these essential utilities are replaced, often leading to temporary room downtime and lost revenue.