Hotel Souvenirs Gallery

You don't have to steal towels and furniture to get great souvenirs of a hotel stay. Indeed, there is plenty of free stuff to be had at the average hotel, including soaps, shampoos, shoe polish kits, shower caps, tea and coffee supplies, and coasters. The hotels expect this stuff to be used and maids will always restock these items whether they've been used or simply stuffed into a suitcase as a memento. Unfortunately, in an effort to cut costs or provide better-quality products to clients, many hotels have replaced items that used to feature the hotel name with either generic soaps (Ivory, Dove, etc.) or speciality luxury brands with no particular connection to the hotel. Below are some "souvenirs" common to many hotels.

Paper beverage coasters obtained from a stay at the Citadel Halifax Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 2009.

A selection of coffee condiments originally contained in a plastic sleeve next to the coffee/tea maker found in the room at the Citadel Halifax Hotel.

A selection of hygiene products obtained from the Citadel Halifax Hotel, July 2009: face and bath soaps, a shoe polisher, and small bottles of shampoo and bath gel.

The electronic key card and a pen from the Citadel Halifax Hotel, July 2009.

A notepad taken from the room at the Citadel Halifax Hotel, July 2009.

A shoe shine mitt from the Westin chain of hotels.

A paper beverage coaster from the Westin chain of hotels.

A bar of soap from the Hotel Le Montagnais in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada, acquired during a stay in July 2009.

A stationary set from the Barceló Karmina Palace hotel in Manzanillo, Mexico.

Electronic key cards from the Barceló Karmina Palace hotel in Manzanillo, Mexico.

A shower cap from the Westin chain of hotels.

A shower cap from the St. Giles Hotel, London, UK, circa 1998.

Below: A brochure for the Sea Island Inn, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, circa early-1990s.

A paper coaster from the Hesperia London Victoria Hotel, London, UK, August 2009.

A disposable face cloth from the Holiday Inn Express in Portsmouth, UK, August 2009.

Below: An educational/instructional brochure on playing slots produced by the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, c. mid-1990s.

A dinner reservation confirmation card from 'Doug', the concierge at Vancouver's Metropolitan Hotel, 1 August 2014. (Donation courtesy of MoMI donor PC)

An in-room notepad from the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. (Donation courtesy of MoMI donor RV)

A Northern Delights cloudberry 'Fine Inuit Herbal Tea' sachet, featuring Inuktitut language. (Donation courtesy of MoMI donor RV)

A selection of in-room toiletries from the Radisson Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The items pictured were obtained on 24-26 March 2015 and comprise two mandarin and yuzu soap bars; a deep sea minerals and Japanese mint shampoo (blue bottle); a cherry blossom and rice milk conditioner (white bottle); and a white lotus and yiyi ren body lotion (green bottle). These Canadian-made toiletries are manufactured by Netherlands-based Rituals Cosmetics. The Radisson Colorado Springs Airport features 200 rooms and suites, a heated indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, free Wi-Fi, fitness and business centres, complimentary airport shuttle service, gift shop, the Bistro Colorado restaurant, and Bistro Colorado Lounge. (Donation courtesy of MoMI donor RH)

A complimentary shaving kit from the Barcelona Catedral Hotel, located in the Gothic Quarter of Barclona, Spain, next to the Cathedral, Plaza Catalunya, and Ramblas. (Courtesy of MoMI donors ES and DS)

Cardboard sleeve for hotel room key card, Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place Brussels, Belgium, 1-4 November 2016.

Front and reverse sides of the key card for Room 648, Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium, 1-4 November 2016.

Front side of an individually-wrapped tea bag by Ronnefeldt, part of the coffee/tea service in Room 648 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place Brussels, Belgium, 1-4 November 2016.

Reverse side of an individually-wrapped tea bag by Ronnefeldt, part of the coffee/tea service in Room 648 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place Brussels, Belgium, 1-4 November 2016.

Tubes of Nirvae Botanicals brand bergamot & tea tree shampoo and conditioner, and grapefruit & mint shower gel from Room 605 of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Brussels, Belgium, 18-20 October 2016.

A paper coaster from Room 648 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place Brussels, Belgium, 1-4 November 2016.

Tubes of Acca Kappa brand green mandarin body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel from Room 648 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place Brussels, Belgium, 1-4 November 2016.

A notepad from the Waverley Inn in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, courtesy of MoMI donor PC, circa 2017.  Established in 1876, the Waverley features 34 'uniquely decorated guest rooms' with such amenities as canopy beds and Victorian-era antiques.  The inn is situated in the former home of Halifax dry goods merchant Edward W. Chipman and his wife Mahala Jane Northup, completed in 1866.  As a prominent member of Halifax society, Mahala hosted notable Haligonians and officers of the British garrison for dances and social events in the house.  However, with his business declining, Mr Chipman was forced to turn the house over to the Sheriff of Halifax in 1870.  Sold at auction to real estate speculator Patrick Coston, Coston then sold the house to spinster sisters Sarah and Jane Romans for $14,200, who moved their father's business, The Waverley Hotel, into the house in October 1876.  The hotel passed through various hands between 1905  and 1960, when the Sterling Hotel Company bought the Waverley and commenced extensive restoration of the building.

The front and reverse sides of an electronic hotel room key card and the key card envelope, from the Courtyard Marriott Brussels, 15 April 2018.

Below: Photos and mementos from a two-night stay at the Homewood Suites Downtown Halifax, 24-26 April 2018.  A pleasant surprise of a room upgrade greeted your MoMI editor upon check-in.

The key card and key card envelope for Homewood Suites Downtown Halifax, Room 1606.

The door to Suite 1606 on the hotel's top floor.

Entering the suite, one finds a spacious two-bedroom accommodation with en suite bathrooms, a comfortable living room, and a full-function kitchen.

The living room in Suite 1606.

A Homewood Suites notepad found in Suite 1606.

A view of the kitchen from the living room of Suite 1606.  The door to the left leads into the master bedroom, whilst a short corridor on the right leads to the second bedroom.

A closer view of the kitchen, with full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, sink, cooktop, microwave, and sink. The drawers and cupboards contain a range of dishes, cookware, and utensils for guests wishing to prepare meals in the room.

A disposable paper cup provided in-room for guests of the Homewood Suites Downtown Halifax.  It is situated alongside the coffee/tea service in the kitchen. 

The master bedroom in Suite 1606, complete with king size bed, flat screen TV, en suite bathroom, and stunning views over Halifax harbour.

Part of the en suite bathroom in the master bedroom. The sink and a closet are located outside a separate room containing the shower and toilet.

The shower and toilet room, located just off the master bedroom in Suite 1606.

The second bedroom in Suite 1606, containing two beds and its own separate en suite bathroom.

Looking out over Halifax harbour from the master bedroom of Suite 1606. Look closely and you will see a Halifax-class frigate in the centre of the photo, framed by the two office towers.

A paper slip showing the room number assigned during a stay at Club Quarters Hotel Trafalgar Square, London, UK, 19-23 April 2018.

The front and reverse sides of the electronic key card for Room 710 at the Club Quarters Hotel, Trafalgar Square, London, UK.

A notepad from Room 710 at the Club Quarters Hotel, Trafalgar Square, London, UK.

Front and reverse sides of the electronic key card for Room 714 at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, 728 Humboldt Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 15 October 2018.

Front and reverse sides of the paper envelope in which the key card for Room 714 was provided, showing the room number and the nightly rate (taxes not included).

The elevator lobby on the 7th floor of the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.

The door to Room 714, Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.

Room 714 features a King size bed equipped with Marriott's wonderfully comfortable mattress and pillows.

Room 714 also features a large flat screen television, sitting area with wingback chairs, writing desk and chair, and several lamps.  An in-room electronic safe, ironing board and iron, mini-fridge, and tea/coffee service are also nice amenities.

Three-angle mirror and marble countertop in the spacious bathroom of Room 714.

The front and reverse sides of a Taylor's of Harrogate individually-wrapped English Breakfast tea bag, one of two included in the in-room tea/coffee service provided by the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, 16 October 2018.

A raw sugar packet from the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia, 16 October 2018.

The front and reverse sides of a white sugar packet from the in-room coffee/tea service at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour hotel, Victoria, British Columbia, 16 October 2018. 

The cardboard sleeve and front and reverse sides of the electronic room key card for Room 252 at the Courtyard by Marriott, Avenue des Olympiades, Brussels, Belgium, 13 November 2018.

A complimentary snack found on arrival in Room 524 of the Courtyard by Marriott Brussels, Avenue des Olympiades, Brussels, Belgium, 9 April 2019.  the plate contains a mini multigrain baguette, accompanied by a thick slice of mild, semi-soft Belgian cheese and butter.  A Leffe beer was left in the in-room refrigerator to chill.

A room key card and key card envelope from the Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street Hotel, April 2019.

The front and reverse sides of a room key card from the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Kanata, Ontario, May 2019. 

The front and reverse sides of a room key card and the front and reverse sides of the key card envelope for Room 524 at the Courtyard by Marriott Brussels, Avenue des Olympiades, Brussels, Belgium, 9 April 2019. 

A 1994 pamphlet from the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.  Hotel services and amenities, as well as the hotel's history, are listed here.

The reverse side of the Red Lion Inn pamphlet.  This side provides information on seasonal events and local landmarks and places of interest.

An insert providing the Red Lion Inn's 1994 rate schedule.

The front side of a room key card envelope, Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, UK, 11-16 October 2019.

The reverse side of the room key card envelope, Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays.

The inside of the key card envelope, Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays.  One of the electronic key cards is tucked into a sleeve on the right side.

The front and reverse sides of the electronic room keys for Room 322 at the Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays, 11-16 October 2019.

Room 322 at the Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, UK, 11 October 2019.

The room features a flat screen television, a tea service, and a chair and table. 

The bathroom of Room 322.

The shower stall in the bathroom of Room 322.  The toilet is in an alcove to the left, behind the door.  The clever design of the bathroom permits someone to use the toilet in privacy while another person uses the sink or shower; the main bathroom door also serves as the door to the alcove in which the toilet is sited.  

Room 322 at the Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays, looking towards the bathroom and the exit to the corridor.

A key card envelope from the Holiday Inn Express London Hammersmith, London, UK, 16-18 October 2019.

The inside of the key card envelope, with an electronic room keycard in the sleeve on the right.

Looking into Room 308 of the Holiday Inn Express London Hammersmith.

Room 308 features a comfortable Queen size bed, flat screen television, tea service, climate controls, and a settee and table.  Retractable reading lights mounted to the headboard automatically turn on when pulled out from their housing.

The bathroom of Room 308, Holiday Inn Express London Hammersmith.

The shower stall in Room 308.

The toilet in Room 308, located in a small alcove within the bathroom.

The front and reverse sides of a key card envelope from the Courtyard by Marriott Brussels, 8-11 October 2019.

The front and reverse sides of the electronic room key card for Room 402 at the Courtyard by Marriott Brussels, 8-11 October 2019.

The front and reverse sides of the electronic key card envelope for Room 508 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Halifax-Downtown, 3-5 November 2019. 

The front and reverse sides of the electronic key card for Room 508 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Halifax-Downtown, 3-5 November 2019.

Electronic key card from the Residence Inn by Marriott, Montreal Airport, 3 November 2019.

The front and reverse sides of an individually-packaged Mother Parkers Orange Pekoe teabag from the Residence Inn Montreal Airport, 11 November 2019. 

The front and reverse sides of an individually-packaged Higgins & Burke English Breakfast teabag from the Residence Inn Montreal Airport, 12 November 2019.  Unlike the hotel's rooms, where the tea provided is Mother Parkers Orange Pekoe (see above), the hotel serves a variety of teas with the complimentary breakfast service in the lobby, including a selection of black and herbal teas from Higgins & Burke, as well as Red Rose tea. 

The front and reverse sides of the cardboard sleeve for the electronic key card at the Novotel Brussels Airport, 27 October 2023.

The inside of the cardboard sleeve for the electronic room key card at the Novotel Brussels Airport, 27 October 2023.

The front side of the electronic room key card for Room 321, Novotel Brussels Airport, 27 October 2023.

The reverse side of the electronic room key card for Room 321, Novotel Brussels Airport, 27 October 2023.

An electronic room key card from the Waterfront Hotel, Sliema, Malta, October 2023.

One side of a pamphlet on the Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka, January 2024.

The other side of the pamphlet on the Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka, January 2024.

One side of a hotel amenities brochure from the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, Seoul, Republic of Korea, January 2024.

The other side of a hotel amenities brochure from the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, Seoul, Republic of Korea, January 2024.

A plastic-coated paper coaster from the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 18 January 2024.

The street-level entrance to the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun.  Elevators and stairs take guests up to the lobby and reception desk on Level 2 above.

Jung Kwan Jang's Sapoon Sapoon Café, a coffee shop located on the lower level of the hotel.  'Sapoon Sapoon' in Korean means 'the light and relieved state of body and mind'.  Drinks, snacks, and light meals are available at Sapoon Sapoon.

MoMo Lounge & Moments Lounge in the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, as seen from an upper level catwalk in the lobby atrium.  A casual cocktail bar, MoMo Lounge & Moments Lounge serves a range of snacks, wines, beer, and whiskeys.

A closer look at MoMo Lounge & Moments Lounge in the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun.

The elevator lobby on the 19th floor of the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun.

A dizzying look down the core of the hotel's central atrium at night.

The elevator lobby on the 22nd floor, the hotel's highest.

A bridge crosses from the 22nd floor elevator lobby to the rooms located on this level.  The glass partitions provide a sense of light and openness to the atrium, but can also instill nervousness in those with a fear of heights.   

Just inside Room 1928 is a slot for the electronic key card which activates lights and electricity.  A touchpad allows guests to activate 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Make Up Room' indicators mounted on the outside of the door, thereby doing away with clumsy traditional cardboard door handle hangers.   

A view of Room 1928, a 26 square metre (280 square foot) Premier room with a King bed.

A look at Room 1928, showing the entrance and the bathroom, visible through the floor-to-ceiling glass shower wall.

A gift bag of snacks provided by hotel reception staff for Marriott Bonvoy elite guests.

The contents of the gift bag, including Welch's fruit snacks, a small bag of potato chips, a can of ionised water, and a can of pear puree.

The view from Room 1928, overlooking the sprawling Namdaemun Market.

Looking down at part of the Namdaemun Market, a multi-block district of shops selling every conceivable item, from clothes, souvenirs, and furniture to electronics, kitchenware, and imported food & drink.  The Namdaemun Market is open 24 hours a day. 

Seoul public transit buses drive along Namedaemun-ro, the road marking the northern boundary of the Namedaemun Market.

A sunny January morning in Seoul, with a view of Namsan Mountain in the distance and the 236-metre (774-foot) YTN Seoul Tower with stands atop it.  

A touchpad control on the bed's headboard for activating reading lights, the night light, desk lamp, and minibar lighting.  USB plugs are also available for charging phones.

The minibar in Room 1928, with fridge, kettle, ice bucket, and mugs and tea and coffee supplies.

A closer look at the tea and coffee supplies in the minibar, stored in a convenient pull-out shelf.

A packet of freeze-dried coffee.

The contemporary bathroom in Room 1928, with marble counter top and large lighted mirror.

A lidded box containing soap, shampoo, shower cap, beauty supplies, and toothbrush kit.

The shower features floor-to-ceiling glass walls that permit views into the room.  A blind can be rolled down from inside the shower stall to provide privacy.

Looking down the central core of the hotel's atrium from an upper floor.  MoMo Lounge & Moments Lounge can be seen at the bottom.

Looking southwest from the hotel.  Sungnyemun Square is dominated by the Sungnyemun Gate ('Honouring Propriety Gate'), also known as Namdaemun Gate.  The pagoda-style gate was completed in 1398 and is one of the Eight Gates in the Fortress Wall of Seoul.  It formed the original southern boundary of the city during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897), when Seoul was ringed by an 18.2 kilometre (11.3 mile) long wall standing up to 6.1 metres (20 feet) high.  The wooden pagoda atop the stone gate was severely damaged by an arsonist in 2008 and subsequently rebuilt between 2010 and 2013.  Sungnyemun Gate is listed as the first National Treasure of South Korea.

A food and beverage service area to support meetings and receptions hosted in the hotel's nearby conference rooms.  

The hotel's Hanyang 4 conference room set up for a dinner.