Why Do Hotels Have Bibles in Them? Complete Guide [2023]
Are you able to recall the very first time that you were in the hotel room? It could be a young child or an adult who was full-grown, but you certainly had. You may have gone to the bedside table and wondered why are there bibles in hotel rooms. What is the source? Are bibles found inside hotel rooms a common sight?
If you’ve traveled since then, you’ll know this wasn’t an error. One of our guests didn’t leave their Bible when their stay ended. The Bible is a standard item in almost every hotel. Why is that?
Where do the Bibles come from?
If you discover the Bible in your hotel room, be thankful to Gideon International, an evangelical organization established in 1899. Three salesmen traveling came together in a hotel; they thought of leaving an unopened copy of the holy text in their Superior, Montana hotel room to promote the gospel.
Even today, Gideon International still does this by providing Bibles and New Testaments to hospitals, hotels, convalescent homes, medical offices, shelters for domestic violence, prisons, jails, and many more.
Hotel Bibles aren’t as common as they once were
A little more than 15 years ago, in 2006, most hotels offered a Bible for guests in their rooms. Only 79% do, according to the company that analyzes hospitality STR. Some people still wonder why hotels have Bibles, and we’re determined to find the answer, even when the trend is declining.
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Why? There isn’t a definitive answer, but there are some common theories.
Millennials: In 2019, CNBC stated that the average young millennial (aged 21 and 37) would take about five trips over the year. Three of those excursions were scheduled as international. As a general rule, millennials – said to be the least religious generation – are constantly in motion, and hotels seek to draw them in and make accommodations for their needs.
WiFi: When you were in a hotel thirty years ago, What would you have done during your spare time? Perhaps you went to the spa or bar in the hotel and even called your loved ones via the telephone provided, or maybe read the news. However, once you got beyond that (and at the time, it got dark), you were close to being out of options.
WiFi was an extra cost when it was first made available in hotels. Then, it was decided to offer the service as a bonus to guests who earn the highest level of rewards as a loyalty reward.
Many hotels have shifted to providing free WiFi in the same way it is now standard at all properties. This has led to a significant change in how hotel guests spend their free time and access content worldwide.
Nowadays, there’s no lack of entertainment, even when you’re on the move. Hotels usually have WiFi available to ensure guests stay connected with their families, stream music, surf the Internet, and access social media. The absence of boredom does not give people the idle time that they would have to read the Bible.
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Why Do Hotel Owners Agree To Put Bibles In Hotel Rooms?
There are three significant reasons hotel owners might be willing to distribute the bibles through Gideons inside their hotel rooms. The first reason is that a single hotel owner may believe in the Bible’s teachings and would support the mission to spread the message and concepts of Christianity.
However, not every hotelier who places a Bible in the nightstand drawer is an ordained Christian. Hoteliers may be something other than coffee drinkers. However, he’ll still offer coffee in the guest rooms since he believes it benefits business.
Also, hotel managers could see a bible in the hotel room as an extra that guests would like. In this case, hotels put Bibles in their rooms because they are convinced that many guests would enjoy or even be opposed to a Bible throughout their stay.
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A third factor is that hotel owners of the present may allow the use of Bibles in rooms because it’s always been the way, and they haven’t had any reason to change things.
The books are also free. Why not? In the last few years, more hotel managers have been considering the “why not” and ditching the Gideons Bible from their rooms.
Can I take the Bible?
Suppose you’re a hotel guest who likes free shampoo, soap and conditioner, pens, and so on. You might wonder if you’ve also stumbled across the free Bible. You know what? You’ve got.
The Bibles are free and available to those who find value in the Bibles. You are not alone if you are inspired to bring Gideon’s Bible home. Gideon Bible home with you. No one can hinder you!
Features of a Gideon Bible
The Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms come with particular pages near the front. They provide an introduction with a list of Bible verses that may help or comfort you with various troubles and a brief description of the evangelical view of salvation.
There are many legends and stories regarding people who leave Money in Bibles, perhaps to reward someone looking to Scripture for help. While this has not been proven to be an ongoing practice, it’s more likely, that the Money found in hotel Bibles was accidentally left by a previous guest trying to conceal their cash in a cramped hotel room.
If you ever need support or encouragement in your hotel room, look through the Bible in the drawer of your nightstand. It’s possible to find the answer you’re looking for on the pages. If you frequently travel and want to be an integral part of the Gideons International ministry, contact them to inquire about joining.
You can be an angel that brings peace and hope wherever they travel. For more information about the Gideons who visit our hotel, please speak to our staff members at The Best Western Siesta Key the next time you’re in our hotel. We’ll be delighted to share our knowledge with the group.
How Modern Hotels Are Responding?
The number of hotels offering Bibles has been declining, according to the STR survey carried out every two years in coordination with the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
The proportion of hotels that provide religious materials in rooms has decreased over the past few years, from 95% of hotels in 2006 to 48% in 2016.
Wherever the actual numbers stand, there has been a steady decline in hotels that offer religious texts in rooms. Some sources contest these numbers based on incomplete reporting, but it seems clear that wherever the actual numbers stand.
Conclusion – Why Do Hotels Have Bibles?
Hotels have Bibles because of the efforts by Gideons International. Gideons are evangelists. They believe that the teachings found in the Bible can aid people with various problems, and they strive to convince others of Christianity. Christian faith.
Hotels don’t pay for the Bibles. They let Gideons keep them in hotels. However, increasingly hotels are selecting to enhance the Bible with other religious books or not offer any holy books.
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If Microsoft offered all hotels a free Xbox, you could have a more significant number of game devices in the hotel room. However, Microsoft will never do this because they are motivated by profit.
The motives for that hotel’s Bible are religious, and in the case of what religious beliefs do, “why” isn’t always quickly clarified. However, if you spot a Bible in your hotel room, look.
You could earn only a couple of dollars. And what do I know? You may even meet Jesus! In the final part of this article, I’m planning to perform some proselytizing…
The following is Rocky Raccoon by the Beatles, perhaps the most well-known song referencing Gideon’s Bible. If you listen to it, you could become an avid Beatles music lover!
Frequently Asked Questions: Why Do Hotels Have Bibles in Them?
Is It A Law To Have Bibles In Hotel Rooms?
No, it is not a law to have Bibles in hotel rooms. The hotel owner or management can decide whether to offer religious books, such as Bibles, in the rooms. As a service to visitors who might need them, some hotels prefer to offer Bibles, while others do not.
Hotels must ensure that all visitors, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds, are welcomed and treated equally without engaging in religious intolerance.
Is it normal for hotels to have Bibles?
Hotel Bibles aren’t as standard as they once were
Just under 15 years ago, in 2006, 95 percent of hotels provided a Bible to guests at their bedsides. Today, only about 79 percent do, according to the hospitality analytics company STR.
Can you take the Bible from a hotel room?
Removing The Bible from its place in a hotel room does not support the reason it was put there in the first place, as they are intended for the next guest to read. The Gideons are constantly in contact with their local hotels to ensure a Bible remains in every room.
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Why is there no room 420 in hotels?
The reason is that 420 related items have become stoner trophies. Road signs are one target: road markers bearing the number 420 in Colorado have had to be replaced with 419.99, for instance. Hotel rooms have become another, forcing some hotels to eliminate the room number.
What is Bible in hotel rooms?
The first Gideon’s Bible was placed on a nightstand at the Superior Hotel in Superior, Mont., in 1908. More than 100 years later, the group has ballooned to more than 300,000 members and, along the way, added “International” to its name.
Are hotels required to change sheets between guests?
It’s probably safe to say that all major hotel chains, including Hampton, instruct their housekeepers to change sheets between guests. Yes, you’ll always find some no-tell motels in the sticks that try to skip a guest or two, but as a general rule, the sheets are swapped out.
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