It appears that at least a couple of full service Marriott properties in the Vancouver area have introduced rates that don’t include housekeeping, as flagged by LoyaltyLobby. I can’t decide whether this is part of the sad race to the bottom for the hospitality industry, or kind of smart.
In this post:
Marriotts with “Stay Green Save More” rates
The pandemic impacted the hotel industry in many ways, and that includes with housekeeping services. Pre-pandemic, daily housekeeping was basically a standard across hotel brands, from limited service to luxury.
Then during the pandemic, we saw many hotels reduce housekeeping services. This was due to a combination of staff shortages, plus wanting to minimize contact between people. But of course hotel owners noticed how these initiatives were saving them money and improving their margins, so at many properties, more limited housekeeping service became standard.
For example, as it currently stands, Marriott seems to have three different housekeeping policies, depending on the tier of hotel:
- Luxury properties offer full, daily housekeeping
- Full service properties offer daily tidying
- Limited service properties offer tidying every other day
That brings us to a couple of “creative” full service Marriotts. Both the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre and Westin Vancouver Wall Centre are offering a noteworthy rate option, which seems to currently be available for stays of at least five nights. The rate is called “Stay Green Save More,” and it simply doesn’t offer housekeeping.
Here’s how the rate rules describe this:
Thank you for choosing to travel Green — This rate gives an extra discount for travelers to decline any housekeeping or overnight service — This helps Wall Centre Hotels attain our ambitious environmental targets — Declining overnight service allows us to reduce our water consumption and energy use in a very meaningful way — For your safety and comfort, we will enter your room for a wellness-check and a modest refresh every 3 days —
So to recap, the hotel (graciously) does a wellness check every three days to make sure you’re still alive, and there’s also a “modest refresh” every three days, which I assume includes emptying trash, bringing more towels, etc.
The reason for this rate is obvious — providing housekeeping services is a material expense, especially in a city with fairly high labor costs. But of course the hotel doesn’t even mention that. Instead, it’s claimed that the rate is offered to help the hotel reach its “ambitious environmental targets,” and to “reduce water consumption and energy use in a very meaningful way.”
My take on Marriott rates without housekeeping
On the surface, I’m of course skeptical of hotels moving in this direction. This is essentially the basic economy-ification of the hotel experience. There are certain things that are supposed to differentiate full service hotels from limited service hotels, and consistent housekeeping is one of them.
That being said, at least in the case of the above examples, I do have to give the hotels credit for offering a meaningful discount for the rates without housekeeping. The hotel is essentially giving guests who stay at least five nights the option of saving 20 CAD per night in exchange for forgoing housekeeping.
Since this rate is only available on longer stays, the savings actually are meaningful, and you’ll see that all other rates are significantly more expensive.
Now, the biggest concern here is that in the future, the standard rate simply won’t include housekeeping, even on shorter stays. If that were to become the case, this would shift the dynamics a bit. It would no longer be that a small number of guests receive a discount for forgoing housekeeping, but instead, hotels would likely make the current rate the one that doesn’t include housekeeping, and give people the option of booking a higher rate with housekeeping.
Marriott used to have the “Make A Green Choice” program, where you’d get bonus points if you requested not to have housekeeping. However, that was eliminated at the start of the pandemic. So it seems this concept is now shifting in the opposite direction. Rather than incentivizing people to skip housekeeping by offering extra points, instead charge them extra for the service.
Bottom line
At least in the Vancouver area, a couple of full service Marriotts now have rates that don’t include housekeeping. This is only available on longer stays, and guests who book these rates will just receive a wellness check and “modest refresh” of their room every three days.
I don’t necessarily mind the current implementation of this (since it seems to represent a real discount, rather than jacking up rates that do include housekeeping), though I have concerns it could be different if this were to spread.
What do you make of the concept of “green” rates without housekeeping?
I, for one thing this is a brilliant idea and one that is rolled out to more hotels and is applicable for all bookings. If I'm staying one night at a hotel, I don't mind turning down housekeeping to save a few bucks.
I'm not bothered by the absence of daily housekeeping. It's not like I change the sheets and towels and sweep/mop/vacuum every day at my own house. I don't need more attentive service when in a hotel than I provide for myself at home.
If hotels are going to go this route, though, would it be at all possible that they not have such small trash cans? Could the hotel either have the big bottles of...
I'm not bothered by the absence of daily housekeeping. It's not like I change the sheets and towels and sweep/mop/vacuum every day at my own house. I don't need more attentive service when in a hotel than I provide for myself at home.
If hotels are going to go this route, though, would it be at all possible that they not have such small trash cans? Could the hotel either have the big bottles of shampoo and conditioner in the shower with pumps or give multiple minis? If the hotel wants the standard to be "Every three days you get a refresh," then set up the room to make it possible for the occupants to go three days...and assume the room is double occupancy.
Them: "Would you like to stay green and help save the environment?"
Me: "Your valet just parked my daily driver 1970 Cadillac Eldorado, which is pre-catalytic converter and gets 9-11 MPG. I'll let you guess."
In the Krakow (Poland) area Marriott hotels still offer points bonus for declining housekeeping.
If hotels would really care about energy and water consumption, they would have started really following the wish of guest with regards to towel changes. How many times did I hang up the towel to indicate that I do not need replacement, just for this to be ignored by housekeeping?
Poor service
Anthony Capuano CEO of Marriott promised Wall Street 100,000 million in savings the coming year.
Never good to over promise when you really don't have a full grasp of the corporation yet. This is probably part of that ploy.
There are plenty of brands to walk to.
Great frauds in history: Albert Dunlap – “Chainsaw Al”
Albert Dunlop gained a reputation for turning around companies – until his methods were found out.
Green initiatives - the greatest con job in hotels and airlines: as brought to you by unlikely allies, corporations and deranged environmentalists. When these two villains team up, you know you're in for a good f&*%king, as Jimmy Dore correctly says..
My problem with this is that being green for Marriott is all smoke and mirrors. You'll say hey I like that I'm saving a bit of money and I really don't need housekeeping anyway. But like I said, all smoke and mirrors. In about 2 years, they'll shift all their rates. The current rate today will be the future green rate. It's all a tactic to raise rates without saying you're going to raise rates....
My problem with this is that being green for Marriott is all smoke and mirrors. You'll say hey I like that I'm saving a bit of money and I really don't need housekeeping anyway. But like I said, all smoke and mirrors. In about 2 years, they'll shift all their rates. The current rate today will be the future green rate. It's all a tactic to raise rates without saying you're going to raise rates. Many people fall for it because most people can't think pass what am I having for dinner. It worked for coke. You're now buying 24oz bottles instead of 12oz cans because it's no longer possible to buy single cans. They used their tactics beautifully. Nobody talked about that bait and switch and it's been more than a decade since they did it.
Its a race to the bottom.
There is also the green initiative of replacing plastic water bottles with glass bottles shipped from Europe. Huh???
Many friends have had good luck staying at nice AirBnb's. I have chosen not to do so for the reason that maid service is not available. If this becomes more of the norm especially on long stays, it could be advantageous to AirBnb at the expense of hotels, and will serve them right.
If I were to stay in a hotel without service I would probably be better off renting a place on VRBO or Airbnb. If it is called “hotel” it better come with housekeeper. Don’t try to BS me saying you are saving the planet.
It's a close race to the bottom between AirBNB and their cleaning fees (for which you often have to clean things yourself) and Marriott with Basic Economy (all prices go up and you can pay the old rate to get less).
All goes back to the main objective of America: how do we spend less and get more? Nothing about "how do we make this pleasant so that people want to stay here? How...
It's a close race to the bottom between AirBNB and their cleaning fees (for which you often have to clean things yourself) and Marriott with Basic Economy (all prices go up and you can pay the old rate to get less).
All goes back to the main objective of America: how do we spend less and get more? Nothing about "how do we make this pleasant so that people want to stay here? How do we retain customers?" You have to go to a true resort, Asia or the Middle East for that. :(
But those hotels elsewhere don't provide better service out of love for their customers. They do so because the market requires them to - otherwise they'd lose customers. So the real question is why do American consumers put up with this crap, seem content giving their money to companies that don't deserve them and accept terrible quality without voting with their wallets?
That’s not entirely true. Hospitality and treating your guests well is much more engrained in culture in some parts of the world. I’ve stayed in smaller, locally managed hotels across Asia where you can feel that good service isn’t only about making money. In fact, I often find that service in a multinational chain hotel in Asia is subpar because they come in and force their systems and process onto the local employees.
How about a Green rate where you sleep on a hammock outside, under the trees. Only $247 + taxes per night. Doesnt include the $37.99 resort fees which provides you unlimited access to walk on the lawn and drink all the rain water that falls on you.
While I don't have a Wayback Machine, one could bet money that the former base rate was CA $222/night, and the new rate of CA $242 is to make the guests pay $20/day for housekeeping, which would mean that there is no net savings to be realized by the new pricing.
Like how fares didn’t drop when basic economy was introduced.
A concern I have, based on past experience, is that hotels that have reduced housekeeping, sometimes have an increase in bugs, not just those pesky night visitors that scramble when the lights come on.
Bugs are attracted to food and some people leave crumbs on the carpets, pizza boxes on the dresser by the TV, food containers overflowing from the trash cans, etc. This creates an attractive environment for insects to multiply and conquer.
...A concern I have, based on past experience, is that hotels that have reduced housekeeping, sometimes have an increase in bugs, not just those pesky night visitors that scramble when the lights come on.
Bugs are attracted to food and some people leave crumbs on the carpets, pizza boxes on the dresser by the TV, food containers overflowing from the trash cans, etc. This creates an attractive environment for insects to multiply and conquer.
At a minimum, they should empty the trash and vacuum. Like most, I am not concerned about replacing the towels or the sheets during my stay.
If one of these critters makes it's way into your luggage or carry on, you have a surprise souvenir coming home with you .
At one point Marriott hotels were offering points for declining housekeeping. I thought that was a fair trade-off. This, however, is a tax on guests who want service.
Another brilliant idea, conceived in a brain of a MBA grad.
That’s not going to fly when Canada becomes the 51st state on Monday.
Nah, it's easier to keep Canada as territories like Guam or Puerto Rico.
Same with Greenland as well.
Adding a state is a huge pain in the a...
We had to give Hawaii and Alaska state status because of it's strategic military location and resources for Alaska.
If it was today with current military technology and geopolitics, Hawaii would never become a state.
If today the Caribbean is controlled by Russians...
Nah, it's easier to keep Canada as territories like Guam or Puerto Rico.
Same with Greenland as well.
Adding a state is a huge pain in the a...
We had to give Hawaii and Alaska state status because of it's strategic military location and resources for Alaska.
If it was today with current military technology and geopolitics, Hawaii would never become a state.
If today the Caribbean is controlled by Russians or Arabs filled with ballistic missile subs, Puerto Rico would definitely become a state.
Also, as all of you forget, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a trusted ally who has gone above and beyond for us for decades. Sacrificed their soldiers for us.
So, you know, taking it would be an act of war. Like Russia in Ukraine. So maybe let's tell the Charlie Kirk and the bumbling morons about to land in the white house to start with our own country first.
@Aisha Muhammed
Are you crazy?
"taking it would be an act of war"
America would "buy" these territories or they volunteered to join.
There are only 2 countries in the world that "take it".
One we're sending weapons for, the other we're sending weapons against.
And that should make Biden an old hypocrite.
Basic Economy for hotels.
Soon TV and wifi will cost you extra.
Front desk is an elite perk and not included in basic fares.
Use the stairs and skip the elevator to avoid an extra $5 fee.
You need extra closet space, another $10 to unlock it.
Swimming pool, that's $10.
Gym, an extra $10.
And did we mentioned $33.79 destination fee which includes useless things like in room eco light bulbs, portrait of Donald Trump, daily dvd rentals and beach access in Denver?
I believe Premier Inn and other brands in Europe, basically equivalent to a Fairfield or maybe a Courtyard, already don't have fully staffed 24/7 front desks. They have kiosks for check-in. That's inevitably coming to the US.
Remember, Marriott experimented with having a fancy vending machine replace the market at certain brands. That experiment seemed to have failed.
Alarm clocks and even phones are being removed at many hotels. It's quite conceivable that...
I believe Premier Inn and other brands in Europe, basically equivalent to a Fairfield or maybe a Courtyard, already don't have fully staffed 24/7 front desks. They have kiosks for check-in. That's inevitably coming to the US.
Remember, Marriott experimented with having a fancy vending machine replace the market at certain brands. That experiment seemed to have failed.
Alarm clocks and even phones are being removed at many hotels. It's quite conceivable that TVs will be removed at some point.
Please remove all alarm clocks from hotels! Please!
All alarms clocks are in hotels are unnecessary sources of light at night that sometimes randomly wake up with alarms I didn't know were set. I unplug them. If I need an alarm - I've got my cell phone!
Premier Inn always have staff available in the lobby 24/7. The kiosks are great. I’ve never had to spend more than 60 seconds from walking in the door to having my room key. I’ve always had very good service and rooms are cleaned every day. The value is fantastic and they have a very consistent product.
"Soon TV and wifi will cost you extra."
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Motel 6 charged a dollar a day if you wanted the (black and white) TV in the room to work.
If you agreed to pay, they gave you a key to turn the TV on. They key could not be removed once inserted into the lock.
I had forgotten those types of TVs, as I stayed in a hotel once in the mid-70s and in order to get the premium movies, you needed a type of key.
They are making even more money as this “green” rate is listed as non-commissionable. That means they won’t pay the 10% to travel agents who book it.
"Green", a gift from the god to the industry.
Literally every single industry on this planet.
You can reduce service and call your move "protecting the nature."
You can sell low quality products and excuse that on "reducing the waste."
You can increase the price and advertize the increase as "green tax".
And the governments subsidize those who employ those hypocrite agenda. Regardless of which side are they on.
...
"Green", a gift from the god to the industry.
Literally every single industry on this planet.
You can reduce service and call your move "protecting the nature."
You can sell low quality products and excuse that on "reducing the waste."
You can increase the price and advertize the increase as "green tax".
And the governments subsidize those who employ those hypocrite agenda. Regardless of which side are they on.
Biden wants you to eat vegan crap. Costs a fraction, sells for a...
Trump wants you to buy a Tesla. Know how much does the electricity production pollute?
Truely the age of "convenience".
How convenient is that?
Let's not forget how they torture their own people with green initiatives.
While Hunter can hunt for red meat because he was pardoned and Trump can eat cheeseburgers because he will be pardoned.
Those who Strom the capital on January gets pardoned, but if you're not white Christian you're a terrorist.
That how democracy works.
As long as you can brainwash people to believe in existence of democracy, nepo-autocrats would always get a new face every few years.
Bitter, table for one please
Next to come will be guests being expected to fully vacuum and clean the room and if not back to the "original" condition an Airbnb style "cleaning" fee tacked on checkout!
I'm all for this. If I'm staying at hotel, alone, on a business trip for 2-4 days, I don't need housekeeping. I've already got multiple towels in the room, and it's not like I'm changing the bedsheets or vacuuming/dusting every day at home anyway. This is fine. Short stays, I prefer no housekeeping.
Marketing it as "Green" is ridiculously thought.
I'm gonna put "Requires Full Housekeeping Daily" in my profiles.
They can't even properly read your elite status. Don't expect them to see anything in your profile.
Call me crazy, but I would rather not have anyone else enter my room for any reason during my stay unless it's a fairly long stay.
That is what the do not disturb sign is for.
@Regis... nice try, but this rate option is about saving money....not comparable
Some day the standard rate will not include any housekeeping before your stay. You put on the sheets and vacuum the floor.
Ben writes: "Now, the biggest concern here is that in the future, the standard rate simply won’t include housekeeping, even on shorter stays. If that were to become the case, this would shift the dynamics a bit."
This is happening already. Many of the big brands quietly amended brand standards or have chosen to look the other way as individual properties eliminated daily housekeeping on stays of anything less than 3 or 5 nights. Of...
Ben writes: "Now, the biggest concern here is that in the future, the standard rate simply won’t include housekeeping, even on shorter stays. If that were to become the case, this would shift the dynamics a bit."
This is happening already. Many of the big brands quietly amended brand standards or have chosen to look the other way as individual properties eliminated daily housekeeping on stays of anything less than 3 or 5 nights. Of course, the brands or properties don't tell you this, in most cases, until you physically arrive and check-in at the hotel.
Some Hyatt Regencies are doing this. The Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport (not really at DFW) doesn't provide any daily housekeeping. Ironically, IHG as far as I know requires at the minimum Holiday Inn Express properties to remove trash, replace towels and make the bed every day.
This is also true with other now-former brand standards. Marriott has quietly lifted the requirement that hotels flagged under many, if not all, brands provide bars of soap. Of course, they don't tell customers this.
I once walked out of a hotel in Orlando when I arrived and was told "No housekeeping until the fifth night", pointing out that (1) this wasn't on their website and (2) this really wasn't a reasonable expectation (every-other-night, sure). I also politely read the Riot Act to a hotel in Louisiana that was doing something similar and saying "We're still social distancing!", noting that they were clearly the only folks within 500 miles still...
I once walked out of a hotel in Orlando when I arrived and was told "No housekeeping until the fifth night", pointing out that (1) this wasn't on their website and (2) this really wasn't a reasonable expectation (every-other-night, sure). I also politely read the Riot Act to a hotel in Louisiana that was doing something similar and saying "We're still social distancing!", noting that they were clearly the only folks within 500 miles still doing that (though I also made it clear that if they just said they were having staffing trouble, I'd get /that/...it was the BS excuse that bugged me more).
So, they’re charging guests more money for what used to be included. What next: special rates with no TV or non-en suite bathrooms?
For all the people who say they don’t need daily housekeeping, I don’t think you realize that rooms are dirtier because you skip housekeeping. The vast majority of hotels do not give a housekeeper more time to clean a room after a guest who skipped housekeeping checks out from the property.
Most...
So, they’re charging guests more money for what used to be included. What next: special rates with no TV or non-en suite bathrooms?
For all the people who say they don’t need daily housekeeping, I don’t think you realize that rooms are dirtier because you skip housekeeping. The vast majority of hotels do not give a housekeeper more time to clean a room after a guest who skipped housekeeping checks out from the property.
Most hotels, across all brands, expect a housekeeper to flip a room in under 30 minutes. Sure, they will deep-clean a room at a regular or semi-regular interval but you would be surprised what can accumulate if two or three guests in a row skip daily housekeeping.
The kind of cleanliness-related issues that I’ve experienced at about 60% of my stays since the pandemic almost never happened before the pandemic, when daily housekeeping was the standard at even relatively low-end brands like a Fairfield or Holiday Inn Express
As long as it's crystal clear (which, based on your screenshot, it looks to be), I have no problem with that. Does it give nickel and dining vibes, and will the front desk likely have many confrontations over it, absolutely,
The law currently requires them to include junk fees and taxes in their rates. Maybe marriotts lawyers have figured out a way to use this green option as a way around the junk fee law.
They have been doing this in Japan for awhile. Discounted rates if you do not want your room cleaned daily.
They will put a bag outside your room daily with clean towels. You can also ask them to take the trash out.
These discounted rates are for stays as short as two days.
Can you get the green rate if you only stay one night?
Sorry I meant to say North America (USA and Canada)
No, I think you just realized your reading comprehension error. "The decline of the once great North America..." - said no one ever lol.
Citing a Sheraton and a Westin is hardly the "decline" of USA/North America. Talk about dramatic. Plenty of fantastic properties across the board, especially independent and boutique hotels.
Mexico is North America too.
I definitely do not want to stay in a hotel where the room is cleaned, vacuumed and dusted only every 5 or more days. Grime and dust gets into the carpeting, the crevices and so on.
It's sad to see the decline of the once great USa taking place in front of our eyes.
Hotels with carpet are totally gross!
This Insanity needs to end!
Vancouver is not in USA
It will soon be part of the US of A when our dear emperor takes over the reins
Quit talking stupid as that will never happen. On the other hand maybe he can trade shithole California for Greenland.
The day hotels in locations I travel to stop providing daily housekeeping, I'm moving to Airbnb because there'd be no longer any point of staying at a full service hotel. Luckily this plague hasn't arrived to Europe (at worst I had few hotels where you had to request housekeeping, but simply hanging out the sign worked).