From Wool Blankets to House Cats: What Gets Stolen from Hotels

The Bio-Wellnesshotel Daberer in Austria's Gailtal valley is grappling with a persistent problem: theft of high-value items, particularly its distinctive wool blankets. Marianne Daberer, the hotel's host, has lost 37 of these specially produced blankets, each retailing for 290 euros. "Probably we should just put out cheap plastic blankets from China. Then they won't be taken," she remarked with a touch of dark humor, contrasting them with the "pleasantly light wool blankets from small-scale Carinthian production."

“

Probably we should just put out cheap plastic blankets from China. Then they won't be taken.

Daberer described the situation as serious, emphasizing that these are not minor offenses. The blankets are custom-made, and she is obligated to purchase a certain quantity. In January, she bought the last remaining stock of seven blankets, all of which vanished by July. "The first time I thought it was an isolated incident," she said. "Then it happened again. And again and again."

“

This is not a minor offense.

This is the third major theft incident for the Daberer hotel. Previously, they experienced the disappearance of books and branded "Soulbottles" water bottles, priced at over 30 euros each. A staggering 1300 water bottles have gone missing from the restaurant alone. Daberer noted that guests are explicitly informed these bottles belong in the restaurant, yet they continue to vanish. "Sometimes I try to rationalize it: Daberer is written everywhere, so people will at least always think of us when they have the bottles on their dining table at home," she admitted.

“

The first time I thought it was an isolated incident. Then it happened again. And again and again.

The hotel also reports a loss of 80 to 100 books per season from its curated "book nooks" throughout the property. These books are carefully selected for specific themes and locations within the hotel. While Daberer acknowledges that guests might occasionally take a book to finish at home and return it later, the sheer volume suggests widespread, deliberate theft. The cumulative financial loss, coupled with the annoyance and organizational effort, presents a significant challenge for the hotel.

“

Sometimes I try to rationalize it: Daberer is written everywhere, so people will at least always think of us when they have the bottles on their dining table at home.