Hockey Teams, Forgotten Wallets, and… What? The Wildest Things Left Behind in Hotel Rooms

If you’ve ever worked at a hotel front desk, you know that no two checkouts are ever the same—especially when a youth sports team storms through your lobby. But even the most seasoned hotel staff can be left scratching their heads at the aftermath. Take it from Reddit user u/Hotelslave93, who recently shared an unforgettable tale from the trenches of hospitality: a 15U hockey team’s stay that left more than just empty pizza boxes and misplaced socks in its wake.

From forgotten wallets to an unexpected abundance of used condoms (yes, you read that right), this story is a whirlwind of teenage chaos, parental oversight, and the mysteries of adolescent hotel behavior. Buckle up—because this is one wild ride behind the "Do Not Disturb" sign.

The Post-Checkout Scavenger Hunt

Let’s set the scene: it’s checkout morning. The 15-and-under hockey team has departed, leaving behind a trail of energy drink cans and the faint aroma of teenage boy. Hotel staff, armed with rubber gloves and a sense of duty, begin their post-stay sweep. What do they find?

  • Wallets (yes, plural—how many IDs are these kids juggling?)
  • Phone chargers (the universal hotel room relic)
  • Clothes (because who needs pants when the game is over?)

These aren’t items hidden under beds or wedged between couch cushions. According to Hotelslave93, most of these lost treasures were "just sitting there, out in the open." Even a diligent parent who did a last-minute sweep missed some of the loot. It’s as if the rooms themselves became black holes for teenage belongings.

But Wait—There’s More! (And It’s Not What You Think)

Here’s where things get… interesting. Four out of ten rooms—remember, that’s eight boys—were found to contain multiple used condoms. No, not in the trash, but out in the open like some kind of bizarre hotel room Easter egg hunt.

Let’s check the facts:

  • No girls visited the rooms.
  • The housekeepers confirmed the condoms were, ahem, used.
  • The only explanation: teenage curiosity colliding with a classic rite of passage.

The original poster jokes, “Is it just a replacement for a sock nowadays?”—evoking the age-old sitcom trope of the “stiff sock” (if you know, you know). Apparently, times (and techniques) have changed, but teenage boys remain as creatively messy as ever.

The Psychology of the Forgotten (and the Gross)

So, why do sports teams turn hotel rooms into impromptu lost-and-found centers? And what’s with the new décor?

  1. The Chaos of Travel: When you’re herding a gaggle of high-energy teens from rink to rink, the last thing on anyone’s mind is remembering to pack up that charger. Or wallet. Or dignity.

  2. Parent Oversight: Even with a parent double-checking rooms, items get missed. Maybe it’s the exhaustion, maybe it’s the assumption that “someone else grabbed it.” One thing’s for sure—nothing escapes the all-seeing eye of the housekeeper.

  3. Teenage Experimentation: Let’s face it, hotels are a magical space for teenagers: no parents (in the room, at least), anonymity, and a mini-fridge full of sodas. Add in a box of condoms from a well-meaning parent or a daring CVS run, and you’ve got the perfect storm for... exploration.

Hotel Staff: The Unsung Heroes

Behind every cleaned room and restored order is a team of hotel staff who have truly seen it all. Stories like this are just another day at the office for them—though some days are more memorable (and require more hand sanitizer) than others.

Housekeepers not only tackle the physical mess but sometimes the emotional aftermath, too. As one can imagine, a room littered with used condoms is more than just an “oops, forgot my toothbrush” situation. It’s a reminder that every guest has a story, and some are a little stickier than others.

What Can We Learn?

  • If you’re a parent or coach, maybe add “condom count” to your pre-departure checklist—right after “wallet” and “hockey stick.”
  • For teens, a little discretion (and a lot more trash can usage) goes a long way.
  • For hotel staff everywhere: you deserve a medal, a raise, and probably some industrial-strength gloves.

Share Your Wildest Hotel Tales!

Has your team—or your family—ever left something unforgettable behind at a hotel? Are you a hospitality worker with a story that tops this one? Drop your wildest lost-and-found tales in the comments below! And remember: what happens in the hotel room… sometimes ends up on Reddit.

Next time you check out, take one last look around. You never know what you (or your kids) might be leaving behind!

Original Reddit Post: Sports team left what?