Bit of a dilemma for her isn't it. She's asking 'what people would do' as a way of outing them rather than doing what normal people would do which is speak to management, file a report/complaint. But I'm guessing given that as they've given her a free stay they may well have told her to piss off or perhaps she feels like she can't complain directly!
Lets look at this another way Em. What was the cost of your gifted stay vs your 'sentimental' sandals? Fairly sure you are still quids up and can just go and buy a new pair. All she has gone on about all week is how much money she's spent on food so surely this is just a drop in the ocean for luxe old Em!