What are the 5 Most Common Items Hotels Guests Leave Behind?

June 15, 2010

Mealtickets hotel survey imageDigging Around in the Lost and Found

How many times do you check your belongings, dig through suitcases and peruse the room before closing the hotel door on the final day of vacation? If you’re anything like me, about a dozen. And yet, we still leave important items behind.

When I was a child we traveled often on weekends for my father’s business as an event promoter. Late night check-ins and early morning dashes to the van to get back on the road meant we often left essential items behind in our hotel room. Not on purpose of course, but it’s bound to happen when you’re in a hurry, or if you travel often enough.

A recent trip with my dad brought back memories of those excursions. And I started to wonder. What are the most common items hotel guests leave behind when they visit Northern Michigan?

Since I just happen to work with over 60 hotels in the Traverse City area, I thought I’d take a little survey and report the results.

 

 

The 5 most common items Northern Michigan hotel guests leave behind

#5  Swim suits

#4  Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, razors, etc.)

#3  Pillows

#2  Clothes

#1  Cell phone chargers

 

I’m sure the number one answer comes as no surprise. In fact, cell phone chargers are the number one item left behind in hotels worldwide. A study last year by Holiday Inn and Holiday Express in the UK revealed 42,000 cell phone chargers left behind in their hotels in one year. What’s more surprising is their collective value: nearly $1 million!

 

What Else Did They Leave?

Forget the most common items, what’s more entertaining is discovering what area visitors forgot in the closet, stashed in the safe and inexplicably left behind. Our survey of Traverse City area hotels revealed several stories, ranging from the odd to the downright embarrassing. Here’s our list of the top five.

 

Top 5 Most Unusual Items Hotel Guests Left Behind

#5  Adult toys
As you might expect, underwear and lingerie are often discovered after check-out. And more than a few hotels reported adult toys among the mix. We’ll spare you the EEEW factor and other details. This is a family-friendly website after all.

#4  False teeth
OK, I understand that you have to remove them for cleaning, and could accidentally leave them behind in a glass on the sink or something. But honestly, how do you forget them? And how often do you leave them behind that you can’t remember the last time you had them??

#3  A walker
Discovering a walker accidently misplaced, or folded neatly in the closet may not be all that unexpected. But finding one sitting in the parking lot at the center of a handicapped space gives it a ranking on my strange-o-meter. As Alanis says, "isn’t it ironic?"

#2  A police-issue 9mm handgun
Placed in the safe for security it was left behind. Unfortunately for the officer, that’s a big no-no. The hotel reported it and the officer got in big trouble with the department.

#1  Cremated urn of ashes
This one I just can’t paraphrase. An anonymous hotel found, "An urn of cremated ashes, yes of a person. When contacted the son said ‘throw him in the dumpster’. We tracked down a daughter who was happy to accept." Strangely enough that same survey respondant also listed "human leg and hip bones from a doctor who does replacement surgeries." Truth is stranger than fiction.

 

How to Keep Your Items out of the Lost and Found

It seems to me, we have all need to spend a few extra minutes packing and double-checking before we leave behind something essential…or embarassing.

Mealtickets vacation checklist imageOn that note I’ve created this handy Mealtickets Vacation Checklist to aid in your travel packing.

Click here to download our packing checklist for your next trip.

Staple it inside your suitcase, tuck it in your purse or duct tape it to your tailgate if you have to. Whatever works for you.

 

Have a great Up North Michigan vacation this summer. And may you, and your belongings, make it home safely.

 

 

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Lodging, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Free Fishing Weekend 6/12 - 6/13

June 11, 2010

Salmon fishing in Lake Michigan photo Get Your ‘Fish On’ this Weekend

 

Fishing is a great way to enjoy the beautiful lakes and rivers up North. And this weekend, June 12-13,  there’s no fee to fish. Michigan residents and out-of-town visitors can enjoy 2 days of fee-free fishing for all species. Fishing regulations still apply, but there is no license required thanks to the Department of Natural Resources Free Fishing Weekend. Twice a year the DNR offers free fishing weekends to encourage everyone to pick up a rod and cast for the "big one".

 

So whether you’re camping and want to cast a line with the kids, or you prefer to hop aboard a charter for some big lake action, this is the perfect weekend to get the fishing bug. I say, "Fish On!"

 

 

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Benzie, Events, Leelanau, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Colanta Walker Dairy Festival at The Village

June 11, 2010

Colantha Walker Dairy Festival logoA Day of Celebration for one Fabulous, Famous Cow

 

In the 1920s the star resident of the State Hospital in Traverse City was none other than a prize heifer named Colantha. At the time, the average milk production for a dairy cow was just under 4,000 lbs. And then along came a cow named Colantha whose record production in 1926 was 22,918 lbs in one year!

She was so revered by the residents and staff that upon her death a huge party was held in her honor and a special headstone carved in her memory. Now, with a new community developing at the Village, they want to bring that celebratory spirit back in her honor.

 

The first annual Colatha Walker Dairy Festival will take place on Sunday, June 13th in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Celebrate the famous cow with fun, food and special events in her honor.

 

Festival Schedule
10am-Noon Pancake Breakfast
10am-3pm Farmers Market
10am-7pm Food, Art & Merch Vendors
Noon-1pm Public Parade to Colantha’s Headstone @ Barns
1pm-7pm Live Music (Sister Wilene et al)
2pm-3:30pm Great Grilled Cheese Grill-off
5pm-7pm Street Dance

There will also be Food Demonstrations, Wagon Rides, Kid’s Activities, Wine & Cheese Pairings along with Milk & Cookie Pairings for the kids, thoughout the day!

 

For more details, check out www.thevillagetc.com.

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Attractions, Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Community Open House at the Opera House 6-6

June 2, 2010

Open House graphic for Opera HouseCity Opera House Introduces the 2010-2011 Performing Arts Series

 

The historic City Opera House is celebrating a new season of performing arts entertainment with a FREE community open house on Sunday, June 6th from 11am to 3pm.

The 2010-2011 Auto-Owners Insurance Performing Arts Series will be highlighted during the event. There will be ticket giveaways, family fun activities including face painting, balloon animals and even a caricaturist.

Meet the staff and board of directors, pick up a copy of the new performing arts series brochure, take a tour and "test drive" seats - all while enjoying light refreshments generously donated by Morsels Bite-Sized Bakery + Gourmet Coffee, Trattoria Stella and Elk Rapids Sweet Shop.

For more information please visit cityoperahouse.org or call 231.941.8082 for more details.

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Pirate’s Cove Raises Money for Wounded Soldiers

May 20, 2010

Putting For Patriots graphic“Putting for Patriots” Event at Pirates Cove

 

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, in Traverse City, Michigan will host the Fourth Annual “Putting for Patriots” fundraiser from Saturday, May 15 through Monday, May 31.  This national event will occur simultaneously at 36 Pirate’s Cove, Pirate’s Island and Jungle Golf miniature golf courses throughout the United States. 

 

This May event will culminate on Memorial Day weekend and support three charities, which serve our wounded, their families and survivors of the fallen.  These organizations include: “Hope For The Warriors”, “Homes for Our Troops” and “TAPS—Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.”  Pirate’s Cove, Jungle Golf and Pirate’s Island will donate a percentage of their total sales on Sunday, May 30.  In addition, from May 14 through May 31, each golf course will accept donations to be turned over to the three charities.  Since its inception, this event has raised over $57,000.

“Memorial Day was specifically founded to remember those who died serving our nation,” notes Brad Graft, Pirate’s Cove Partner and Regional Director.  “The Pirate’s Cove / Pirate’s Island family thought it appropriate to establish an annual event to serve charities that assist our living veterans and the survivors of fallen military members.  These are men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.”

Pirate’s Cove and Pirate’s Island operate 36 miniature golf courses throughout the United States.  For more information, visit their Web sites at www.piratescove.com, www.piratesislandgolf.com, and www.junglegolfminigolf.com . Additional information on the above charities can be found by accessing their Web sites:  www.hopeforthewarriors.org, www.homesforourtroops.org and www.taps.org.

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Attractions, Events, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

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