One of the criteria for recognizing and ranking hotels by stars is to meet the criteria for in-room furniture and equipment. In-room equipment includes notepads and pens.
Providing paper and pens in the room allows guests to jot down necessary information, or these items can be used by children for writing and drawing.
Not everyone realizes that the pens provided in hotel rooms are usually pencils. There are several reasons why hotels choose to provide pencils instead of ballpoint or fountain pens.
Ensuring Safety
Ballpoint and fountain pens have sharp and hard tips, which can become potential weapons during conflicts or scuffles between guests. Pencils, on the other hand, have blunt and breakable tips, reducing the risk of unfortunate incidents.
Minimizing Loss
The cost of ballpoint and fountain pens is undoubtedly higher than that of pencils. After use, many guests tend to pocket the pens or put them in their bags and take them home. Pencils, without a clip, are less likely to be taken. Even if guests take them, the cost will still be lower.
Easier to Clean
The ink from ballpoint and fountain pens can be challenging to clean. In many cases, children may use the pens to draw on room items, or you may accidentally drop a pen on the bedspread, leaving ink stains that are difficult to remove. Guests may even have to pay additional fees for cleaning hard-to-clean stains on room items.
With pencils, the situation is much more manageable. Pencils do not leave severe stains, and cleaning is straightforward.
However, not all hotels use pencils exclusively. Some hotels, especially high-end ones, opt for ballpoint or fountain pens to maintain a luxurious image, matching the room’s interior and rental value.
Notepads and pens are among the amenities that guests can freely use and take with them. If needed, guests can take the hotel’s pens without incurring any additional charges. In larger hotels, the notepads and pens usually have the hotel’s name and logo printed on them. Taking these items is also considered a form of promoting the hotel’s image.
The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Making the Most of Your Hotel Room Amenities
“When you stay at a hotel, you expect a certain level of comfort and convenience. Imagine your delight when you discover that the hotel provides a range of useful items that you may have forgotten to pack. From a handy TV to keep you entertained to essential toiletries like rosewater and conditioner, the hotel has thought of everything. These little touches can make all the difference to your stay, especially if you’ve forgotten your charger, shoe polish, or even your shaving cream.”