(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Leap Year is something that only comes around once every 4 years and to celebrate there's many leap day deals around Southwest Florida.
I've always wondered for those born on a leap year when they celebrate their birthday. If it's on the 28th or March 1st. But today is the day to really go all out. For the first time in 4 years we have a February 29th! And even if it's not your birthday, it's still a bonus day for the rest of us, so there's a lot of places that have fun deals going on today.
- Krispy Kreme- buy a dozen of any regularly priced donuts and get a dozen original glazed donuts for $2.29. Also, if today is your birthday, you'll get a free dozen original glazed donuts (no purchase necessary)
- Chipotle- rewards members today can get a free side of guac if you place an order online or in the app
- Wendy's- get a free Cinnabon Pull-Apart in the drive-thru or dining room
- Staples- Staples is giving away 29,000 passport photos to rewards members today
- Planet Fitness- everyone, including non-members, can get a free workout today
- Dunkin'- $2 medium Cinnamon Vanilla coffee if you order in the app
- Taco Bell- rewards members can get a Crunchwrap for $2.29 in the app
- 7-11- customers can get any combination of 5 wings for $2.29
- Hooters- loyalty members can get select apps for $2.29
Plenty of ways to celebrate Leap Day in Southwest Florida!
An email crossed my inbox this week that was titled, The Expert’s Guide To What You Can And Can't Remove From A Hotel Room. I immediately thought, 'Do we really need a guide for this kind of stuff?' Then, I reached for the moisturizer in my purse that had Walt Disney World Resorts on it. It sparked a conversation with a friend whose family owns hotels in Southwest Florida and another who has been in hotel management for decades including properties in Fort Myers, Naples and Key West. You won't believe the crazy things taken from hotel rooms in Florida.
I get it. You are having a great time on vacation and want something to remember it by. Back in the day you could swipe a matchbook with the hotel logo. Some still have pens and notepads. Then you look over and see the cool coffee mug, robe, fill in the blank here. You think, 'Surely they won't miss this one.' Then I hear my mom saying, 'What if EVERYONE took just one? Then there wouldn't be any to take.'
I put the question to friends on Facebook. Here are a few confessions of the things taken from hotel rooms.
Jeff Webb is the area general manager for Home2 Suites in Fort Myers, Naples and Nashville. Over the course of his 37 year career in the hotel industry he has seen some pretty crazy things. One of the most bizarre happened in Key West. Housekeeping called him to a room which had been cleared out. Literally. Everything single thing in the room was stolen. He says that is why televisions and even some artwork is bolted down in hotels these days.
Finally, getting back to that original email. It was from Mark Johnson, the founder of H18NY. He says, "Before you put anything you’re not sure about into your suitcase, remember you can always ask hotel staff if it’s okay to take." Here are some general guidelines from both Jeff and Mark.
Toiletries and Stationary
These are meant for you to use and are OK to take. Especially if the toiletries were opened and used during your stay. A friend of mine keeps a bag of them and puts them in her guest bath so there is always something there for visitors to discover, use and maybe even take for themselves to keep the cycle going.
Food and Drink
Mostly yes. For instance, it would be OK for me to pocket the pods from this coffee maker pictured below. But not the coffee maker itself. By the way, this was the best in room hotel coffee I think I've ever had. It was at Bardessono in Yountville, California. Then there is the mini-bar. Feel free to clear it out. You'll be charged handsomely for that one.
Linens
Nope. I get it, the sheets and the pillows gave you the best night of sleep ever. But they need to stay. I know we always need beach towels living in Florida, but those you got from the pool should stay too. Definitely that plush robe as well. I've had so many great robes including a leopard print one at hotel in Portland, Oregon. NO, it did not end up in my suitcase. Most hotels will sell their bathrobes and some sell their pool towels too.
Electronics
This should be a common sense "don't". But apparently that is not the case. Never take cable boxes, hairdryers, irons, or lightbulbs. Yes lightbulbs. Keep the TV and its remote and the batteries in your hotel room. It's not going to work with your television anyway. Also do not remove the clock/radio or tablet. These things are not souvenirs.
Miscellaneous
If your room provides a small sewing kit it is generally thought to be OK to take. It is typically part of the bathroom 'amenities' anyway. So are slippers. They are designed for single use and great to use on the plane. Toss them when you depart. However, if you hotel still has an ashtray, you should leave it along with glasses, mugs and dishes. Artwork belongs to the hotel too. Don't take it or any other décor, including furniture.
