The Top 10 Items People Leave Behind in a Hotel Room 

We’ve all been there—rushing to check out of a hotel, doing a quick once-over of the room, and later realizing something important was left behind. Hotel staff around the world find all kinds of forgotten belongings, but some items are more common than others. Here’s a list of the top 10 things travelers most often leave behind in their hotel rooms.

1. Chargers and Cords – Phone chargers, laptop power cords, and other electronic accessories top the list of most-forgotten items. People often unplug them from outlets behind nightstands or desks and forget to pack them before heading out.

 2. Clothing – Jackets, socks, underwear, and other clothing items frequently get left behind, especially in drawers or hanging in closets. One of the biggest culprits? Swimsuits left to dry in the bathroom!

 3. Toiletries – Toothbrushes, razors, and expensive skincare products are often left behind on bathroom counters. Many travelers remember their toothbrush but forget their higher-end items, like electric shavers or specialty cosmetics. I recently forgot my whole grooming kit at a hotel in San Antonio. I had had it for over 10 years. I called the hotel lost and found but they could not locate my kit. 

 4. Jewelry and Watches – Rings, necklaces, and watches are often left behind on nightstands, sinks, or in safes. Guests take them off before bed or while showering and forget to grab them before checking out.

 5. Eyeglasses and Sunglasses – Reading glasses and sunglasses frequently go unnoticed when left on desks or bathroom counters. Many people don’t realize they’ve left them behind until they need them hours later.

 6. Books and Magazines – That novel you were reading by the pool or the magazine you grabbed at the airport? It’s easy to forget them on the nightstand or tucked between pillows on the bed.

 7. Medication – Prescription and over-the-counter medications are commonly left behind, usually in bathroom cabinets or bedside tables. This can be one of the most stressful things to forget, so always double-check your personal items before leaving.

 8. Keys – House keys, car keys, and even rental car keys have a way of hiding in couch cushions or pockets of robes. Hotel staff often find them after guests have already reached the airport.

 9. Laptops and Tablets – Incredibly, even expensive electronics like laptops and tablets are sometimes left behind—often in safes, under beds, or plugged in behind desks. Some travelers get distracted during checkout and forget to pack them up.

 10. AirPods and Other Small Tech Gadgets – Wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and portable battery packs often go missing because of their small size. They get left on beds, in couches, or even tucked into room service trays.

 Here are my five tips to avoid forgetting your belongings – 

• Do a final sweep of the room before you leave, including under beds, in drawers, and behind furniture.

• Use a checklist for essential items like chargers, keys, and medications.

• Keep all your valuables in one place so they’re easy to grab when you pack up.

• Check the bathroom—this is one of the most common places people forget things.

• Always open the safe before checking out, even if you don’t remember putting anything in it.

Next time you check out of a hotel, take an extra minute to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. It could save you the hassle of having to call the hotel and arrange for lost items to be shipped back home!