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Lost, Found & Kinda Unforgettable: The Wildest Things Left Behind at The Grove (and Beyond)

  • Writer: Jennifer Flynn
    Jennifer Flynn
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

What do a pet lizard, a car tire, and a Hermès Birkin bag have in common?


Apparently, they’ve all been left behind in hotel rooms. Yes, you read that right—left behind. Like a casual pair of socks or a phone charger. (But really, who forgets a lizard?!) We recently came across the Hotel Room Innsights Report from Hotels.com, and let’s just say—we laughed, we gasped, and we felt very seen.


Across 400+ hotels worldwide, staff were asked to spill the beans on the most commonly forgotten and most absolutely bonkers items ever left behind. Here's a little taste of what made the list:

  • 🦎 A pet lizard (emotional support reptile?)

  • 🛞 A car tire (???)

  • 🎒 A Birkin bag (we’re still recovering from this one)

  • 🐣 A live chick

  • 🦷 A tooth

  • 💍 A Rolex watch

  • 🧱 Construction pipes

  • 🍚 A rice cooker

  • 💵 Stacks of cash

  • ⌚ A $6 million luxury watch (we're guessing someone really wanted to forget their ex)


Of course, they also highlighted the more relatable “top 10 most commonly forgotten items” like phones, chargers, makeup, dirty clothes, and the always-awkward toiletry bag full of… well… private things.



But let’s be real—at The Grove Hotel & Motel, we’ve got our own greatest hits when it comes to things left behind.


Here’s a peek into our very own Lost & (Never) Claimed list:


🪿A full-sized garden goose statue. Dressed for the weather. Clearly on vacation.

🖼️ A framed photo of Matthew Mcconaughey in a cowboy hat. (ok, maybe we left this one in the room for the guest, but no explanation is needed)

😳 A briefcase full of ahem intimate accessories. Bless our housekeeper who found it.

🥿 A lone, blue Croc, size 9. We’re still holding out hope for a reunion.


And our personal favourite: a forgotten teddy bear, who extended his stay and became an honorary member of the crew. We documented his adventures—folding towels, checking in guests, even helping in the café. He was later reunited with his tiny human (along with a scrapbook of his Grove journey, obviously).



We’ve never officially been asked to pack for someone, but trust us—we’re ready. We’ll color-code your outfits, roll your socks with military precision, and even include a motivational sticky note if you need one.


We’re not the only ones going above and beyond either. According to the report:

  • One hotel staffer drove 100 miles to return a passport.

  • Another literally sprinted several city blocks to catch a guest before a cruise ship sailed.

  • And one sweet soul replaced a lost teddy bear and wrote a book about its imaginary adventures to help a little guest sleep better.


Honestly? Hotel people are built different.


At The Grove, we totally get it. Travel is chaotic. Things get left behind. And sometimes the weirdest items hold the most emotional value. So whether it’s a priceless watch or a priceless stuffed animal, we’ll always do our best to get it back to you—with a smile, a story, and maybe a few photos of it living its best life.


Now it’s your turn...What’s the weirdest, wildest, or most embarrassing thing you’ve ever left behind on a trip? (No judgment here. We’re the ones caring for a Croc and a goose.)

👇 Drop it in the comments or shoot us a message—we live for this kind of stuff.


Until next time, don’t forget to check under the bed. Or in the mini fridge. Or inside the goose. 🫣



BLOG by: Jennifer Flynn, Chief Fun Maker & Experience Curator at The Grove Hospitality Group (April 2025)

 
 
 
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