Phone chargers plugged in behind the nightstand, clothes hanging in the back of the wardrobe, jewelry left beside the sink: hotels find items like these every day. Most hotels have an established process for logging and storing what housekeeping and other staff find, so there is a good chance your item has been kept safely. Here is how to report it and improve your chances of getting it back.
Contact the hotel as soon as possible
The sooner you report the loss, the easier it is for the hotel to trace. If you are still nearby, call or visit the front desk. Housekeeping usually hands in items found during room cleaning shortly after checkout, and staff can often check straight away. If you have already left, submit a report through the hotel's lost and found process rather than relying on a phone call alone, so there is a written record of your request.
Where items are usually found
- Guest rooms: the most common place, found by housekeeping during turnover.
- Restaurants, bars and room service trays
- Pools, spas and fitness centers
- Meeting rooms and event spaces
- Lobby, business center and parking or valet areas
If you lost something in a car or shuttle provided by a third party, contact that company directly as well, because those items may not come back to the hotel.
What to include in your report
- The hotel name and location
- Your check-in and checkout dates and the room number
- The name the booking was made under and any confirmation number
- Where in the property you think you left the item
- A detailed description: brand, color, size, model and any distinguishing features
- Your phone number, email address and shipping address
Be as specific as you can. "Black phone charger" matches many items, while "white 20W charger with a braided cable and a small blue sticker" is far easier to identify.
How hotels return lost items
When your item is found, the hotel will usually confirm that it belongs to you before releasing it, often by asking for a description, your booking details or identification. If you are still local, you may be able to pick it up at the front desk. Otherwise, most hotels can ship items to you. Shipping costs are normally paid by the guest, and you may be asked to pay securely online before the item is sent.
How long hotels keep lost items
Every hotel sets its own policy, and holding periods can depend on the value of the item. Everyday items may be kept for a shorter period, while valuables are often stored more securely and for longer. Unclaimed items may eventually be donated or disposed of. Because policies vary, report your loss promptly. Read our guide on how long organizations keep lost items to learn more.
A quick room check before you check out
Most items left in hotels are found in the same handful of places. Before you close the door for the last time, take one minute to check:
- Every power outlet, especially those behind the bed and desk, for chargers and adapters
- The in-room safe, including the back corners
- Drawers, the wardrobe and the back of the bathroom door
- Under the pillows, the bed and the sofa cushions
- The bathroom counter and shower for jewelry, glasses and toiletries
Report your lost item
Select Hotels & Resorts on our home page and search for the property by name or city. If the hotel is part of the Official Lost Recovery Network℠, you will be taken straight to its official lost and found portal. If it is not listed, our team can file the report on your behalf. A Lost Item Reporting Fee applies to that service.