Guide
Hangers, trays and small room accessories worth the money
Small accessories rarely get a budget line of their own, yet guests handle them every day. Here is where a little extra spend pays off and where it does not.
Hangers: the item that disappears
Hangers are lost, broken and swapped between rooms more than any other accessory. Wooden hangers look better and hold a jacket properly. Plastic hangers are cheaper and quieter but look basic. Hangers with a locking hook or a security pin deter removal in higher-risk locations, though they are less pleasant to use.
Decide on a standard count per room before ordering. A typical double room may carry six to eight garment hangers and two trouser or skirt hangers, with extras for suites. Check the width, since narrow hangers let a suit jacket slide off the shoulders.
Track losses for a month before deciding. If you lose a handful of hangers a week, the cost is trivial and not worth a security fitting. If losses reach several dozen, it may be worth changing the type. Let the count decide.
Trays and dressing-table items
A tray gives a spot for the guest's keys, watch and small items, and presents amenities neatly. Choose a material that survives humidity, such as treated wood, moulded resin or a metal with a protective finish. Avoid thin lacquer that peels when wiped with a damp cloth.
Dressing-table extras, such as a vanity mirror, sewing kit or shoe-shine cloth, are small, low-cost items that guests tend to value when they need them. Offer them on request or in the room, depending on your category.
Laundry bags, bins and small bathroom items
A laundry bag with a clear price list is one of the more useful items in a room, but only if it is robust. Thin bags tear and spill. Pick a stitched fabric bag or strong paper bag, and ensure the form is printed clearly.
Bathroom bins need a lid that closes quietly and a finish that is easy to wipe. Soap dishes, tumblers and toothbrush holders should be stable on wet surfaces. A tumbler that tips over is a small thing, yet it is a common complaint.
Do not overlook the waste bin liner. A bin without a liner is a daily wipe-down job, and a liner that slips into the bin is a daily irritation. Choose liners that fit your bin size and have a good grip at the rim.
Where quality is worth paying for
- Hangers: because every guest uses them and they are on display in the wardrobe.
- Trays: because they sit in view and anchor the amenity presentation.
- Bins and tumblers: because stability and finish are noticed daily.
Where a basic version is usually enough: shoe horns, sewing kits and disposable accessories that are used once. Spend carefully on what is seen daily, and keep it simple elsewhere.
Consistency and finish
Aim for one or two finishes across the room. For example, if taps and dispensers are brushed steel, choose accessories in a warm metal or natural wood, not three competing finishes. A tidy palette makes inexpensive items look chosen rather than accumulated.
If you already use a refillable system on the wall, think about how a tray, soap dish and dispenser sit together at the basin. The room accessories range is arranged with this in mind.
Weight is a quiet sign of quality. Pick up a tray or a soap dish in each hand. The one that feels solid usually survives a steam-filled bathroom longer than a hollow one, though you should check by wiping, wetting and drying a sample.
A quick purchasing method
- Walk three rooms with a notepad and list every accessory.
- Mark which ones guests touch daily.
- Note which items go missing or break most.
- Set a par level per room type.
- Order samples of the daily-touch items first.
- Check a sample for stability, weight and finish after a week of use in a trial room.
You can see more options under products, or ask for samples to try in one room first.
Finally, photograph the finished set-up in a trial room and share it with housekeeping. A single clear picture is a better standard than a paragraph of description, and it shortens the training time for new staff.
Questions on this topic
Should hangers be fixed to the rail?
Fixed hangers deter theft but are less convenient. Many hotels use locking hooks only where losses are high, and standard hangers elsewhere.
How many hangers per room?
A common starting point is six to eight garment hangers in a double room, adjusted for suite size and length of stay.
Are branded accessories worth it?
Subtle branding on trays and laundry bags helps recognition without looking pushy. Heavy logos on hangers rarely add value.
Keep reading
- How to choose hotel slippers: materials, sizes and cost
- Terry or waffle slippers: which suits your hotel?
- Disposable or reusable slippers for hotels
- A buying guide to hotel robes
- How to stock an Airbnb bathroom
- Hospital and clinic bathroom amenities: what to consider
- Gym locker room amenities: a practical checklist
Looking for supply? See Hotels & resorts, browse the product range or request samples.