Guide to hotel toiletries

Here's a helpful guide to some of the leading hotels and the brands of luxury products they have on offer in their maid's carts.

Starwood Hotels

Sheraton: Shine by Bliss

Four Points by Sheraton: Caswell-Massey

W Hotels: Bliss
·
Westin: Heavenly (made especially for Westin
)
Aloft: Bliss
· Luxury Collection,
St. Regis and Le Meridien: Signature bath products

Marriot Hotels
·
JW Marriott, Nervae

Marriott- Bath and Body Works

Renaissance- Lather

Courtyard: Davies Gate

Fairfield Inn: Pantene

Residence Inn: Davies Gate

SpringHill Suites: Pro Terra

TownePlace Suites: Pro Terra

Intercontinental Hotels (IHG)

Hotel Indigo: Aveda

Holiday Inn: Garden Botanika products

Holiday Inn Express: Simply SmartTM

Crowne Plaza: Reneu Botanicals collection

Staybridge Suites: SIMPLY be wellTM herbal bath collection

Hilton Hotels
 Crabtree & Evelyn LaSource
Hyatt Hotels Varies, but some properties use eShave
Wyndahm HotelsS
 Bath and Body Works
Four Seasons Hotels L'Occitane products in Lemon Verbena
Ritz Carlton Hotels Bulgari

LOCAL FAVORITES
New York
The Franklin Hotel, Bulgari; The Shoreham Hotel, Aveda; 
The Mansfield Hotel, Aveda; 
The Bowery Hotel, CO Bigelow
; Gramercy Park Hotel, Mixture, hand-picked by Allure editor; 
Carlyle Hotel, Kiehls; 
The Carlton, Penhaligon; Flathotel, Essential Elements; Soho and Tribeca Grand, Kiehls; Alex Hotel, Frederick Fekkai

Atlantic City
Lather
Water Club, L'Occitane
; The Chelsea AC, Kiehls

Boston
Liberty Hotel, Molton Brown; 
XV Beacon, Fresh products; 
White Barn Inn (Maine), Molton Brown; Fairmont Copely Plaza, Penthaligons Quercus

Miami
The Tides South Beach, Molton Brown
; The Setai, Aqua di Parma
; Angler's Resort, Aveda; 
The Raleigh, Kiehl's; Sagamore, Fresh; The Biltmore, Gilchrist and Soames; Acqualina, ETRO; Trump International Beach Resort, Ecru

Los Angeles
Hotel Oceana, Kiehl's; 
London West Hollywood, Clear; 
Palihouse West Hollywood, C.O. Bigelow
; Sunset Marquis, Aveda;
Sofitel, Rodger & Gallet; Roosevelt, Fresh; Hotel Bel-air, Kiehls; Shutters, Molton Brown Signature

Las Vegas
 Bulgari at 
Mansion; Bulgari
 Signature at MGM Grand; Gilchrist and Soames tangerine and olive flower at Caesar's Palace.

Sonoma/Napa The Sonoma Mission Inn, proprietary Apricot Cream products, Kenwood Inn, Arconna; MacArthur Park, proprietary blends of grape and wine based products and green tea infused skincare products; Carnero's Inn, Red Flower Blood Orange

Other US Cities
Topnotch in Stowe, June Jacobs; Little Nell in Aspen, June Jacobs; 
Stoneleigh in Dallas, Baronessa Cali; 
Hotel Zaza in Houston, Molton Brown; 
 James in Chicago, Kiehls; Bacara in Santa Barbara, Fresh; Chanier in Newport Beach, Pentahligons Quercus

The St. Regis in San Francisco - Laboratorie Remede toiletries.

Finding relief in public restrooms

Remember the good old days when buying staples like ipods and $60 miracle lip plumper went without thinking?

Understandably, it's a bit of a shock to find yourself standing perplexed in the dry goods aisle calculating which toilet paper brand comes out best on a cost per sheet basis, factored with the ply and estimated absorbency ratio. Quilting isn't even an option.

Here’s a little known secret to help you cope: there’s unsecured toilet paper, paper towels, light bulbs and possibly even soaps, fine linens and spare change out there that are yours for the taking. You just need to keep your eyes open and plan ahead. And by plan ahead, I mean carry a large empty bag with you at all times.

Sadly, the genteel practice of laying out fine linens, soaps, perfumes and lotions with an attendant and change dish in public restrooms is dying fast. A few hoity-toity clubs you can no longer afford to join and Belgium still have these amenities.

If you're lucky enough to be visiting a hoity-toity club or Belgium, distract the attendant, by making horrible sound effects while in the stall. When she's checking out the damage, shove everything in the bag and run. Chances are the attendant will be too old to catch you. And since most restrooms aren't equipped with alarms, you'll have no problem getting away with your Bounty, Charmin or Scott).

The bright side of living in an restroom attendant-free society is that stocking up on the basic staples (ie: TP, light bulbs) is a breeze.

If you're a stickler for quality, your best bet is four and five star hotels. If you’re near one, stop in. Enjoy the interior design, watch the people, use the bathroom. Take all the toilet paper you can from the stall and put it in your bag. If nobody is around, repeat the procedure in every stall and proceed to the paper towels, or luxurious hand linens if the hotel is four or five star. (guide to free luxury products from hotel maid carts, spas and gyms coming soon.)

If the light bulbs in the rest room are compatible with your fixtures, take them. If they're not compatible, take the fixtures as well. Always make sure to turn off the lights for several minutes before attempting to take bulbs. If you're in a hurry, wear gloves or pot holders which will also help if you're worried about fingerprints.

If you don't live near any luxury hotels, you can make due with gyms, libraries, hospitals, museums (go on the day admission is free), police stations…virtually any public facility. Don’t feel guilty. You paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes over the years. The least you could get out of it is a little free toilet paper. It’s not like you’re asking for a $700 billion bailout or anything.

If you have friends who still have jobs, visit them at their office. (detailed guide to fabulous free items from office kitchens and supply rooms coming soon).You wouldn’t believe the riches you can find in an office restroom. Possibly even tampons, depending on the industry. Forget any moral qualms you might have. Chances are your friend works for some huge multi-national corporation that has received millions in tax breaks and incentives and is about to fire your friend to help with their bottom line despite the huge amounts their executives get paid in salary, perks and bonuses. Dick Cheney is probably a stockholder in the company. Take everything that's not bolted down.

If you're anything like me, you've probably spent most of your life avoiding public restrooms. But once you open your mind and eyes, you'll realize opportunity is everywhere. Seize it. Just make sure nobody is watching.

Warning: Do not attempt if you have a wide stance.