Across the USA, hotels are rethinking the traditional travel-size toiletries placed in every room. These small bottles have been a familiar part of the guest experience for decades, yet most guests only use a portion of what’s inside. Once opened, the bottle can’t be reused — it must be thrown away, along with any leftover product.
The result?
More plastic waste, more chemical waste, and a growing push for hotels to adopt better solutions.
With several states already restricting single-use amenities in guest rooms — including California, New York, Illinois, and Washington — the industry is shifting toward refillable options faster than ever.
Are Travel-Size Amenities Still Practical?
Travel-size toiletries remain popular in short-term rentals, boutique properties, small hotels, and condos. These operators often prefer:
- Luxury-looking mini bottles
- Easy distribution per stay
- Flexibility in ordering smaller quantities
- A “gift-like” presentation for guests
- Clear and predictable cost per bathroom (typically under $2.00)
STR operators also benefit from not replacing amenities daily. For multi-night stays, products are placed once at check-in. Standard hotels, however, typically replace used items daily, increasing cost and waste.
For some STRs and luxury hosts, mini amenities still make sense. But for medium and large hotels, the cost, waste, and new regulations make travel-size items harder to justify long-term. Many operators now explore broader options within bath amenities for hotels to build consistent, sustainable programs.
Why More US Hotels Are Choosing Refillable Dispensers
Refillable systems — whether pump bottles or wall-mounted dispensers solve many operational and environmental challenges. Their adoption is accelerating across the country for several reasons:
- Less Waste: Only the product guestsactually use gets consumed. No more partially used bottles thrown away.
- Lower Costs Over Time: Bulk amenities reduce the cost per occupied room and help hotelsoptimize purchasing.
- Fewer Housekeeping Tasks: A 500 ml dispenser lasts several weeks depending on occupancy.
Housekeeping simply checks the fill level while cleaning the room, instead of replacing multiple bottles daily or every other day.
This efficiency is one of the major reasons many hotels are transitioning to hotel shampoo dispenser solutions.
- Compliance With State Regulations: Refillable systems help hotels stay compliant and avoid penalties as more states strengthen rules around bathroom amenities
- Modern Look and Guest Approval: Well-designed dispensers look clean, premium, and intentional.
- Better Inventory Control: Fewer SKUs, more predictable ordering, and reduced storage needs
The Two Main Concerns Hotels Face and How They Solve Them
1. Drilling Into Bathroom Walls
Many hotel managers, maintenance teams, and operations staff are cautious about drilling into tile, marble, or other bathroom surfaces. They want to avoid damage, extra labor, and long-term structural issues.
Modern dispenser systems offer flexible installation options to address this concern:
- Strong 3M VHB™ double-sided tape that bonds securely to textured or smooth surfaces
- Optional screws for properties that prefer permanent wall mounting
This helps hotels select the safest installation method depending on the wall material and room type.
2. Hygiene & Guest Interferance
Hotels must ensure that dispenser systems are both safe and easy to manage, meaning:
- Guests cannot open the bottles or access the product inside
- Only housekeeping staff can open the bottles and refill them
- The product remains clean, uncontaminated, and protected at all times
- Housekeepers can quickly check fill levels during room cleaning
Lockable brackets, tamper-resistant pumps, and visible bottles make hygiene checks simple and secure — especially when choosing reliable hotel soap dispenser systems designed for heavy use.
What Guests Prefer Today
Most guests support eco-friendly practices as long as the system feels clean and well-presented. A well-installed dispenser appears modern, premium and safe.
In many cases, guests prefer a clean, consistent refillable system over a collection of mismatched mini bottles—an insight increasingly recognized by leading guest amenities suppliers.
What This Means for Hospitality Professionals
The industry is clearly moving away from single-use plastics. For STRs and small operators, travel-size amenities may still fit their guest experience. But for hotels facing higher occupancy, regulations, and housekeeping demands, refillable systems offer:
- Significantly lower costs
- Less waste
- Better compliance
- Faster room turnover (especially when bottles are swapped rather than refilled in-room)
- Improved guest satisfaction
As more states introduce new regulations for the industry, and guest expectations evolve, refillable dispensers are slowly becoming the long-term standard for US hotels.
For additional context or product inspiration, properties may consult trusted providers such as Hotel Items, a hospitality supplier based in South Florida, supporting hotels and STRs across the USA and the Caribbean.
Camilo Sosa
E-commerce Manager
Hotel Items (A & S Suppliers, Inc.)
