A lot of hotel rooms have Bibles—and it’s not because they want to convert you
Why Do Hotel Rooms Have Bibles?
Updated on May 20, 2025
Traveling may feel unpredictable at times, but seasoned globetrotters can always count on one standard comfort: the Bible in their hotel room. In fact, few things are more reliable than finding the religious text tucked away in your bedside drawer. But have you ever asked yourself: Why do hotel rooms have Bibles?
We did, and we vowed to get to the bottom of the strange travel tradition. Keep reading to find why so many hotels have Bibles and whether that might soon be a thing of the past.
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Why do hotel rooms have Bibles?
Gideons International is partly responsible for Bibles in hotel rooms. The evangelical Christian association was formed in 1899 after two traveling salesmen met in a hotel room and shared their beliefs. By 1908, it was distributing Bibles to hotels around the United States, according to the Los Angeles Times. Members of Gideons International often met with the managers of new hotels, presented them with a free Bible and offered to equip every room in the hotel with a copy too.
In other words, a major reason why hotel rooms have Bibles is that Gideons International is a Christian missionary organization that uses hotel Bibles to share its faith.
But you’ll find Gideon Bibles in more places than just your hotel room. “While we are often recognized for our work with hotels, we also place and distribute Scriptures in strategic locations so they are available to those who want them, as well as to those who may not know they need them,” the Gideons International website reads.
Do hotels have Bibles today?
It’s not just a 20th-century tradition. The organization continues to donate Bibles and New Testaments around the world today. Here’s a hotel secret you may not know: Plenty of modern hotels get Bibles this way. Take, for instance, Marriott International. According to the Washington Post, the chain still gets Bibles for free from Gideons International, and it’s keen on placing a copy in each room of its newly acquired properties.
Still, times are changing. There’s been a steady decline of religious materials in hotels that want to avoid alienating nonreligious or multi-faith guests. So you may not find a Bible in every single hotel room drawer these days. The number of hotels that provide religious materials has dropped by about 15%. In 2006, 95% of hotels provided a Bible at the bedside. These days, only about 69% do, according to a survey by STR, a hospitality analytics company.
Some speculate that hotels are now trying to attract millennials, who are reportedly the least religious generation in American history. Or perhaps they’re pivoting to account for the fact that people can now read the Bible and Bible quotes on their smartphones. After all, about 98% of hotels now offer in-room Wi-Fi, according to the STR study. And true to the need of the day, many hotels are experimenting by offering digital alternatives like QR codes that you can scan to download religious texts or on-demand religious programming.
FAQs
Where can you find the hotel bible?
Whether you’re Christian, curious or a nonbeliever, you can check out whether your hotel room has a Bible the next time you travel. Try the bedside drawer first—it’s the classic location. If you don’t see a Bible, ask the front desk. Many hotels now keep religious material out of the room but still accessible by request.
Can you take the hotel Bible with you?
Yes. Gideons International provides Bibles to hotels free of charge, and the organization even encourages travelers to take them from their hotel rooms. “Some hotel guests find such comfort from the Bible, they pack it up with them as they leave,” the organization’s website states. “If having that copy of God’s Word helps someone continue on their journey with Christ, then Gideons rejoice.”
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Los Angeles Times: “More hotels are checking out of the Bible business”
- Gideons International: “Sharing Copies of God’s Word”
- The Washington Post: “Marriott has room at the inn … for more Bibles”
- Quartz: “Hotels are ditching nightstand bibles. The new religion is Wi-Fi”
- The Washington Post: “Hotel Bibles are still a thing. But for some brands, they’re on their way out”
- Sage Open: “Declines in American Adults’ Religious Participation and Beliefs, 1972-2014”
- Gideons International: “A Welcome Comfort to Hotel Guests”
