The tiny, wrapped bars of soap barely outlast the stay, yet they’re appreciated when compared to BYOP(Bring Your Own Places.) Large, new, wrapped bars are pleasant, albeit wasteful. (Unless saved for BYOP.)Shampoo, conditioner and moisturizers in small plastic packets don’t elicit much excitement, but they do the trick. Bottles depending on the shape, material and size are standard, but glass is a sign of class. (And shampoo works great for those hand-washables.)
Sewing kits are great to have (over the years I’ve accumulated an ample supply). Disposable shoehorns and faux shoeshine (It’s usually just a black sponge.) are less my thing.
Mouthwash and shaving equipment are a rare find.
A toothbrush, toothpaste, and comb can be a treat.
Ditto for slippers (the soft ones are meant for the taking, the plastic ones are not).
Bathrobes, mints on pillows are only high-end. Water bottles, fruit? It depends.
Towels: the size, how many, how soft, washcloths, bath mat, line-dried (stiff from drying in the sun.), machine-dried. The quality and quantity varies from place to place. I’ve encountered BYOP.
Plastic cups, plastic cups wrapped in plastic, glasses, glasses with paper wrappers: all good indications of the price I am paying.
Ice bucket. That’s a maybe.
Hot water. Bathroom. Usually, but they are not assured.
Outdoor showers are a delight.
Curtains.Venetian blinds. Sometimes nothing at all.
One pillow, two, three. Long, square, rectangular. Soft or hard. It too depends.
Clock. ( BYOP abound. Best to be prepared.) But even the shabbier places have TVs.
Telephone. Maybe. Room service is not guaranteed.
Soft bed, firm bed, clean bed. All valid concerns.
But after all, it’s just a place to stay before morning’s awakening.
