Remember how you always tell yourself to do a sweeping check of the room? How often does that happen? Most of us are in such a hurry to leave, we end up leaving half of possessions behind. Better than paying a late checkout fee, I suppose. However, I suggest you depart a few minutes earlier. This will give you enough time to do a fast sweep of the room. When doing your sweep, here are the following items to look for. Based on empirical evidence provided by hotel housekeepers, these are the most forgotten possessions:
1. Chargers
One of the most commonly left behind items is a charger. Makes sense, right? We have tons of chargers we use on the daily: cell phone charger, laptop charger, tablet charger, electric shaver charger, you name it! How often have you plugged your phone in to charge overnight and then forgotten to take it off the wall in the morning? You could have been in a hurry, absentminded, or could have thought you already had it with you. Check all wall outlets before departing. There are lots of them so make sure to catch them all!
2. Electronics
We live in an age of technology, so it’s almost unthinkable that anyone would ever accidentally forget an electronic gadget. Yet, electronics are often forgotten at hotels. You might think that it’s hard to leave something of such great value behind but it’s been known to happen. When traveling or checking into a hotel, people have so much on their mind and sometimes they completely forget to pack something. I suggest keeping a dedicated spot in your luggage for each electronic device. Make sure it’s been tucked away before leaving the hotel. The laptop goes in this bag, my phone goes in this pocket, etc.
3. Jewelry
Jewelry is often misplaced. Most people who wear jewelry or watches take them off before sleeping or taking a shower. Hotels are unfamiliar and they throw off your routine. You may have set your watch on the sink in the bathroom whereas at home you have a special drawer for it.
Small items of jewelry are especially noteworthy since they can very easily disappear between the bed and the wall or under a large piece of furniture. People have also been known to accidentally leave their jewelry or watches in a hotel room’s safe. Consider carrying jewelry insurance if you’re very forgetful.
4. Luggage
You might ask how someone would forget luggage in a hotel room, but many hotels claim that luggage is one of the most frequently forgotten items. Or rather, luggage is one of the most frequently left items. People often buy new luggage when traveling. I suppose it makes sense. After all, when better to shop for travel gear than when you’re traveling. You’ll know what you want in a new suitcase.
5. Children’s Toys
People usually remember things because they cherish the item. Kids rarely cherish all their toys. They don’t take responsibility for them. Families who travel with young children will often find themselves accidentally forgetting toys. If you’re traveling with a lot of toys for your kids, there’s a good chance you might not be able to keep inventory of what you have. Toys also have the tendency to show up in strange places – under the bed, shoved behind something, etc. – so they might not make it into your luggage. And parents are usually more concerned with remembering to pack to the essentials that they rarely think of checking for toys. At least children’s toys are usually cheap. Don’t forget children’s toys which they got on the trip. Even things such as McDonald’s Happy Meal toys may hold value to the child.
6. Credentials
It seems strange that someone might accidentally forget their passport or wallet, especially since these items are needed to travel. However, many hotels claim that people will accidentally leave them in a drawer. Sometimes they’re left in the hotel safe and forgotten about as well. Fortunately, many cases result in the owner return of the item after they (very quickly) realize they forgot it! I guess if you really need something, you’ll remember it in a hurry.
7. Medication
Like many of the items on this list, it seems strange that someone might accidentally leave behind medication. Wouldn’t this be one of the first things you make sure you have with you? But, again, as with many of the items on this list, medication is often put in places that are easily overlooked: the mini fridge, a random drawer, a table, a nook in the bathroom. Plus, people taking medication may not be at their most alert.
8. Final Thoughts
A good ol’ fashioned sweep of the room should keep your possessions safe. Allow literally just 2 minutes to do the following:
- Check wall outlets for chargers
- Open all drawers to look for any items
- rustle the curtains, making sure nothing has been left hidden behind them on the floor
- Look under the bed for monsters and shoes/socks
- Rustle the bed spreads to make sure there’s nothing hiding under the sheets
- Check all table tops
- Check inside the shower, top of the toilet, and on the vanity for items
- Check the closet and any shelves inside
- Check the mini-fridge
- Check the safe (if applicable)
- Pause for a few seconds before leaving to make sure nothing obvious sticks out
- Consider checking out early so if you did forget something, you can return without it ruining your schedule