Over 130 General Managers and front office staff from Choice-brand hotels in the UK, Italy, France and Germany took part in the survey* to establish, amongst other things, guest forgetfulness, adherence to eco policies and transport choices.

The survey revealed that electronic chargers and adaptors (68%) are the most frequent accidentally left behind item in Choice-brand properties across Europe followed by clothes or shoes (21%), reading materials (8%) and spectacles (7%). 

More unusual items to be left include artificial legs, false eyes and dental appliances.  One hotel in France found a guest had left a cooker and dogs have been left behind in hotel rooms in UK, Germany and Italy, but not France. 

When it comes to respecting the eco policy of using the same towel over a two or three night stay very few were compliant.  39% of respondents believed that fewer than 5% of their guests complied with the policy although 19% believed that between a quarter and half of all guests staying at their hotel in an average week held on to their towels for two to three nights.

According to the survey, travelling habits to Choice brand properties vary. After the car, train is the most popular mode of transport when travelling to a Choice-brand property in Europe with 56% of guests arriving this way, followed by bus (23%).  Travellers in Germany differ from the main European trend as their second choice of transport after train is coach which is used by 30% of guests.

The survey also revealed that the habit of drinking tea is still popular in the UK with over 65% of respondents claiming that between 25% and 75% of all guests choose to drink tea with breakfast rather than coffee.

Duncan Berry, CEO UK, Choice Hotels Europe said: "Our survey reveals the trends hoteliers are seeing at their properties across Europe and gives an insight into guest behaviours and expectations.  We will incorporate this valuable intelligence into the regular review of our programmes, processes and amenities as we strive to offer the best possible experience for business and leisure travellers at our nearly 500 hotels across Europe."

Choice Hotels Europe franchises nearly 500 hotels across Europe alone. Choice Hotels Brands in Europe include Clarion which could be described as four-star, Quality, which sits in the three-star bracket and provides a mid-scale full service offering and Comfort, the largest Choice Hotels brand worldwide, known for value and reliability.

*Methodology
Quality Hotels Ltd. (Choice Hotels Europe) conducted this online survey during July 2012.  A random sample of 130 managers and front desk staff at its franchised hotels across the UK, France, Italy and Germany chose to participate.