What the rich love to 'steal' from hotels

According to the August issue of Town & Country magazine, which covers the comings, goings and doings of the rich or wannabe affluent, it's soap.

Not just any old bar, but the name brands found in the sinks and baths of luxury lodgings, such as Acqua di Parma, Bulgari, Hermes and L'Occitane. Now why would people who could buy and sell most of us 10 times over stash those little rectangles and orbs of scented soap into their Louis Vuitton cases instead of just ordering it at home?

Because, writer Vanessa Friedman theorizes, the HSS (Hotel Soap Syndrome) hits guests who think "I deserve it" since they are "paying through the nose to be cosseted." Or there's wanting to take away as much of the pampering experience as possible -- and "toiletries are the portable answer," she writes. Or it simply may be "mere access to a great product that's hard to get."

RELATED:  What happens to used hotel soap?

Let's go from there to the larger issue. Is it "stealing" to take home hotel soap? Some would say the toiletries placed in the room are yours to use or to hoard. It's not as clean-cut as hotel robes, which are clearly not meant to be taken without paying.

Probably nobody would say it's a sin to pack up partly-used bars of fabulous soap, because they can't be used for the next guest. And some would argue that if you get two bars of soap in the room and only use one, you can take the other home. It's interesting that many times when I leave an especially large tip for the housekeeper, she will leave me extra toiletries when there already are enough. Does that say that housekeepers know many people love to take toiletries home?

So let's take a survey to see how readers feel.

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Hotels in Seattle propose $2-per-night tax for tourism promotion

Hotels in Seattle want to add a $2-per-night room tax to fund a tourism promotion campaign, according to The Seattle Times.

A majority of the 53 hotels that would be included already have signed petitions expressing support and the Seattle City Council could vote on the measure this summer, it says. The new tax would raise about $6 million to be spent next year, mostly for advertising.

The hotels in the city already charge 15.6% in sales taxes and a room tax.

"I think traditional sources of funding tourism in many cities and many states is changing dramatically," Tom Norwalk, CEO of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the paper. "We're really using something that's been adopted widely around the country."

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How To Find Good Hotels

The deals are there, but sometimes you have to work to find them. Call the office to book a hotel to accept the quoted price will often result in that paying a dollar. For the best deals you have to do your homework and keep your options open. After a few simple steps can lead to your ability to save up to half the normal rate.

Plan your trip in advance and during non-peak season to get the cheapest prices.

Book a room during the off-season months.

Check online on major online agencies for special discounts, but always call the hotel first to see what the normal rates. Sometimes what may seem like a good deal online turns to cost you more than it would cost if you had called the hotel directly.

Participate in programs of hotel frequent guest and check the first hotels to book your stay. The points earned in the programs of more effort will be made by operators to negotiate their reserve price.

Airline cash for hotel rooms when possible.

Be direct and tell the operator you are looking for reservation in the price and ask about any special deals they can offer rates AARP seniors, students and military discounts and AAA (American Automobile Association) and discounts.

Once the room rate is quoted, ask if there are other rooms available at a lower rate.

Always ask about extra charges such as parking fees, taxes and other hotels charge small fees.