Kitchen facilities Some hotels offer kitchen facilities or food storage. In some
hotels, this may be in the form of a
kitchenette, which may include a full-size or half-size
refrigerator, an
oven, a
stove, a
sink, and possibly some cabinets, although these are more common in
extended stay hotels. Other places may include just a half-sized
refrigerator, a
microwave oven, and/or a
Coffeemaker. Hotels without kitchen facilities in guest rooms sometimes provide them in the lobby for all guests to use.
Television A
television set is a standard item in most hotel rooms. In the past, coin-operated pay TVs existed. Standard TV channels are free to watch, but some hotels charge extra for
cable TV or
satellite TV services. With the advent of portable video through mobile and tablet devices, hotels have had a harder time generating revenue with their in room televisions.
Computer and Internet access Most hotels offer internet access, most commonly as
Wi-Fi, which can be used by guests who bring their own devices. In most hotels, this is free, though some charge a fee. Some hotels offer hard-wired internet service requiring the use of a cable for the hook-up.
Washer and Dryer Many hotel rooms, especially family rooms have a washer/dryer unit inside of the room They may also provide computers and printers in the lobby for all guests to use. Some hotels offer in-room tablet computers for guests to use.
Personal items Many personal items are provided complimentary for use by guests. These may include
irons and
ironing boards,
hair dryers,
soap,
shampoo,
mouthwash, or
shower caps. A trend in personal items in the United States is to focus on American-made toiletries. In 2007, hotel amenity provider
Gilchrist & Soames, conducted a voluntary worldwide recall, in cooperation with the
Food and Drug Administration of its 18-milliliter or 0.65-ounce tubes of complementary toothpaste with the company name on it. Gilchrist & Soames immediately quarantined its toothpaste, made in China, after the FDA issued its warning that the toothpaste possibly contained
diethylene glycol. The FDA stated at the time that it was not aware of any U.S. reports of any harmful effects from the toothpaste containing diethylene glycol. Not all items are provided by all hotels; for example, some hotels do not provide
toothpaste.
Hair dryer In some hotels, a hair dryer is offered for guests use.
Towels Hotels generally provide towels to guests for their use. One concern with the provision of towels is theft. Towel theft has proven costly to hotels, though hotels have been reported to do little to combat the problem. In 2003,
Holiday Inn offered
amnesty to those who returned stolen towels. Some hotels have outfitted towels with RFID technology to reduce the frequency of theft. ==Outside the room==