Skip to main content

The Three Amenities Missing From Your Hotel Room

the three amenities missing from your hotel room bathroom 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Having the concierge say, “Sorry sir, but we don’t have toothpaste,” at 2:30 am was…an inconvenience. And an annoyance.

“Not even mouthwash?”

“No, I’m terribly sorry sir.”

Recommended Videos

I agreed. And it was a true sentiment for the both of us, especially since the closest convenience store wouldn’t open until the sun came up and my wine-soaked teeth were itching in a way that was making me cross the border of sorry-land into irritable.

I won’t call out said hotel, which is considered high end, but I will point out that while there’s some posh shampoos, conditioners and body washes to be had in most moderate-luxury hotels, the problem remains: there are a few obvious grooming amenities that most hotel chains seem to have collective amnesia about. Here are the three hotel amenities we’d prefer to find along our sink than that useless body lotion.

1—Toothpaste

Any cursory overview of your local drug store’s travel-sized section will tell you there’s no dearth of compact sized toothpaste. And unlike, you know, hand cream, this is one product that is truly problematic to forget or prematurely use up.  Mouthwash would also be nice and a toothbrush. At the very least, we’d give up that hand cream for a bowl of Altoids.

2—Shave Gel/Cream

So…sometimes hair conditioner isn’t a bad alternative but…usually it is. Depends on the brand. Also design in travel sized shave cream still has a way to go—anyone whose had the cap unexpectedly pop off in transit already knows this. A simple solution? How about some 2-in-1 shave/soaps. Both men and women might find use in this.

3—Face Soap

An observation: A lot of hotel rooms will include a body wash and a hand soap. Or, a bar of soap for the sink, a separate one for the shower and, also a body wash. A plea for sudsy sanity? Make one non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging), formulated for face.

If your hotel includes a spa you’ll probably be able to snag any three of these by calling down to the concierge, but best not to wait till you get there to realize you’ve left your stuff at home.

Image courtesy Evru/Shutterstock

Matt Bell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Bell is a travel and grooming writer. He's endured Thai face slapping massages, swam in a cage with crocodiles and…
Delta announces largest-ever Atlanta schedule for summer 2025
Delta announces busiest ever Atlanta schedule for summer 2025
Delta A330-900 aircraft

In the summer of 2025, Delta Air Lines will fly its largest-ever schedule from its home city, Atlanta. Day after day, flight after flight, the carrier will go to destinations far and wide, while offering premium in-flight experiences through Delta One, First Class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta Comfort+. The new flights add to Delta’s bustling schedule at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), where the airline handled 70% of total passenger traffic in 2023.
Delta’s summer 2025 ATL schedule: Details and destinations
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Louis Souza via Unsplash

The statistics of Delta’s summer 2025 schedule from ATL are stunning, with 1.1 million weekly seats, 968 daily flights, and service to 215 destinations. That’s almost 75 more daily departures than a year prior, demonstrating ATL’s status as a global hub.

Read more
Sip and cycle: Study reveals the best states for scenic vineyard bike tours
Explore America's top wine regions by bike
best states for vineyard cycling 03 santa barbara  united photo by erwin vina via unsplash

Vineyard cycling is on the rise as outdoor enthusiasts seek to combine scenic bike routes with the beauty of vineyards. A recent study by buycycle identified the top U.S. states for this experience.

California ranks first and is home to over 6,000 wineries and iconic routes like Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail, which stretches for 29 miles and features gorgeous views of vineyards like Stag’s Leap.

Read more
Move over stars, Michelin keys are checking in
What are Michelin keys? The new Michelin system to pay attention to
Four Seasons Napa suite

Even non-foodies know about the Michelin star system. But did you know there are now Michelin keys? In September, the awards list was made public, celebrating the very highest caliber of hospitality in hotels across the nation.

The list was four years in the making and put together by an extensive list of experts. Like the restaurant awards, the hotel awards are issued from one to three keys, three being the most impressive. Hotels were gauged based on a number of factors, from interior design and service quality to personality and value for the price. Plainly put: These are the hosts with the most, touting amenities and locations worth salivating over.
How hotels make the list

Read more