The sight of a Bible tucked away in the nightstand drawer has long been a familiar fixture of a hotel room stay. This tradition, which has persisted for over a century, is not a universal hotel mandate but rather the result of a focused, long-running distribution effort. The presence of this religious text is rooted in a specific history and provides a particular amenity to travelers. Understanding this tradition requires looking at the organization responsible for the distribution, the original intent, and the modern policies that now govern its inclusion.
The Organization Behind the Practice
The widespread placement of Bibles in hotel rooms is primarily the work of The Gideons International, an association of Christian business and professional men. Founded in 1899, their mission quickly evolved into distributing copies of the Bible and New Testament globally. The Gideons began their hotel distribution program in 1908, placing the first Bibles in the rooms of the Superior Hotel in Superior, Montana. They approach hotel management and offer to supply enough Bibles for every room, completely free of charge to the establishment. This model ensures that the hotel incurs no cost for the amenity, making it an economically attractive tradition to maintain.
The Reasons for Placing Bibles in Rooms
The original intent behind placing the Bibles was to provide spiritual comfort and solace for people traveling away from home. The founders understood the loneliness and isolation that could accompany life on the road. The presence of the religious text was intended as a gesture of care. This practice became a long-standing tradition within the hospitality industry, particularly in the United States. The books are often placed discreetly in a drawer, allowing guests to access them without being overtly displayed.
Variations in Hotel Policy
While the tradition remains strong in many places, the practice of placing Bibles in every room is declining. A survey found that the percentage of U.S. hotels providing religious texts dropped from 95 percent in 2006 to 79 percent by 2016. Many modern, boutique, and luxury hotels now opt out to maintain a secular or minimalist aesthetic. Some hotel chains have adopted alternative policies, such as moving the Bibles to the reception desk for guests to request.
The practice is also less common in international hotel chains. A notable exception is Marriott International, which requires its properties to include both the Bible and the Book of Mormon in every room. This policy extends to acquired brands, such as Sheraton and Westin. Other hotels have begun replacing religious texts with non-religious materials, such as local guides, or simply leaving the nightstand drawer empty.