Hotel supplies

They provide everthing. Toss out a couple of brands and I'll confirm. Edit: Margaret's right about wash cloths. I use my paws so never thought about it.

In my own experience of UK budget hotels, you're likely to get a towel (which might be quite small but still serviceable) and some small 'sample' size bottles of shampoo etc. These will be OK, if you don't mind going sparingly with them. There's nothing wrong with bringing, or buying your own, toiletries. As for pillow cases and sheets, the only time I ever experienced that was in 1989 when I was 7 years old and we stayed in a boarding house in Skegness that made the Bates Motel look like the Ritz :D

In my experience, budget hotels supply towels, but not washcloths--I always bring my own. They usually supply soap, shampoo, and conditioner, but I always bring my own. I have never had to bring sheets and pillowcases. The only time I have ever heard of that was "back in the day" at some of the cheaper hostels. If you have questions about what the hotel supplies, by all means contact them.

Simple solution if they dont provide it: Go to Boots the chemist and you can find all the toiletries you need.

Back in 1972, when I was taking my high school trip to Europe, they recommended that we bring a bar of Ivory soap to wash with. It was an all purpose soap that was good for your body and your laundry. I'm thinking of getting a bar to take to Scotland with me in April. Pam

Pam. I'm pretty certain you can get Ivory soap in the UK.

We've never lacked for towels either, though they're not always what we're used to here. However, I did buy a package of microfiber squares for dishes (wash cloth size), I think at Ross, and just pack one of them for myself to use for face washing. They dry quickly, but I also carry extra baggies if I need to close it up.

About the sheets. Some self-catering cottages and flats do not provide them, but that will always be stated in the amenities description. Hotels will always provide sheets. At least bottom sheets. But there's another issue. In the UK, it seems people don't use top sheets. You know how we do a fitted sheet, then a top sheet, then a comforter or a blanket? Most places don't do the top sheet. And for some bizarre reason, my husband MUST have a top sheet. We're spending two months in the UK this spring, and our first stop will be some kind of store that sells sheets, and we'll haul our own around the country. Eight weeks, eight different cottages, one top sheet from Tesco or where ever the heck we can buy a sheet. It will be a wonderful trip... as long as we get the damn sheet. Have a nice time, Deborah.

The soap they supply is fine, but unless it's a great place and you get Molton Brown toiletries I would take your own/ buy locally as suggested. Hotel conditioner is usually not fit to use - and I'm someone who usually uses L'Oreal or equivalent, nothing very special.

This question was asked in February so Deborah may have taken her trip by now. How did you find it if so, Deborah? There are lots of good answers here.

We leave in 3 week!!!! I'll let you know when we get back.

My two bits: Bring your own wash cloth. Getting one depends on the hotel. Buy one of those quick-drying thingies from an online travel shop. Bring your own soap and shampoo only if that's what you insist on using. Otherwise, you'll get the same teeny bars and bottles you do in the States, just different brands. I just buy locally on the first day. I've never stayed any place in the UK that did not provide a top sheet on the bed.

Deborah, I stayed in a budget hotel in London last summer. There were no wash cloths and only a couple of towels. I asked the cleaners, and within minutes got more towels, a bath mat, and wash cloths - by the way, in England they are called FLANNELS. In Paris, I have never been supplied with wash cloths, though. I concur about the toiletries - stop in Boots and pick some up, take them with you to Paris.

Depends how "budget". Sheets, pillow, towel ok. If very budget soap may be squeezy bottle attached to the wall. Check out Boots chemist (best one - you'll get everything there). Brands may be diff to USA. If mod- budget you'll get most things. Give them an e-mail they won't mind. S :0)

Trip was great. Budget hotel - The Celtic- Fantastic breadfasts, they clean the rooms every day. And yes they were tiny - about a foot of space around the bed, but I was warned about that. They supplied TP, hand soap and plenty of towels, but we had an in room toilet. Otherwise they would have only provided TP. It was no big deal to pack washcloths, shampoo and conditioner. I even packed but didn't use TP, towel and handsoap