Another Marriott property has announced housekeeping at a luxury as opposed to a basic service. As last reported, certain Residence Inn properties will only provide housekeeping on request. Now, a guest posted on reddit, that his reservation at a Marriott hotel did not have guaranteed housekeeping service. We don’t know exactly what this means but it is pretty evident that the guest will not be receiving the daily service many of us expect at a hotel.
We all know that the way hotels operate has changed a lot in recent years. One change you might have noticed is the shift in daily housekeeping services. If you’re a frequent traveler, you may have asked yourself, What happened to daily housekeeping? This is especially true for Marriott properties, where policies have evolved.
What’s the Current Situation?
Many Marriott hotels have moved away from automatic daily housekeeping. You might find that your room is only cleaned after you check out, or perhaps every few days, especially for longer stays. This change isn’t unique to Marriott and reflects a broader trend in the hotel industry.
Why the Change?
Several factors have contributed to this shift:
- Cost Savings: Hotels are always looking for ways to reduce expenses. Labor costs associated with daily housekeeping can be significant.
- Environmental Concerns: Reducing the frequency of cleaning can conserve water and energy, aligning with sustainability initiatives.
- Staffing Challenges: The hotel industry, like many others, has faced staffing shortages, making it more difficult to provide daily housekeeping.
- Changing Guest Expectations: Some guests, particularly younger travelers, prioritize privacy and may not want their rooms cleaned daily.
What This Means for Marriott Guests
Here’s what you can generally expect at Marriott properties:
- Housekeeping is Often Upon Request: If you want your room cleaned, you’ll likely need to request it. This can usually be done through the front desk, the Marriott Bonvoy app, or sometimes even via a text message service.
- Longer Stays, Less Frequent Service: If you’re staying for multiple nights, you might receive full cleaning service every few days, rather than daily.
- Essentials are Still Available: You should still be able to get fresh towels, toiletries, and trash removal daily, even if a full cleaning isn’t provided.
Tips for Marriott Guests
- Check the Hotel’s Policy: Before you arrive, check the specific hotel’s housekeeping policy. This information should be available on the hotel website or the Marriott Bonvoy app.
- Make Your Needs Known: Don’t hesitate to request housekeeping when you want it. Marriott staff are generally happy to accommodate guest requests.
- Use the Marriott Bonvoy App: The app can be a convenient way to request housekeeping and other services.
- Be Prepared for Changes: Keep in mind that housekeeping policies can vary between different Marriott brands and even individual hotels.
The Future of Housekeeping
It seems that on-demand housekeeping is here to stay. While daily, automatic service may become less common, hotels are adapting to provide services in a way that balances cost, environmental concerns, and guest preferences.
Conclusions
Hotels and Marriott properties specifically, are looking for way to maximize profits and one way to do this is to reduce services (while maintaining the existing fee structure). The reduction in housekeeping service may only be the beginning on reductions in services. We may be faced with nothing included like a budget airline and everything is an add-on (with additional fees of course).
For me, this approach does not develop or enhance loyalty. You may be forced to re-evaluate your hotel choice based upon service offered and at what costs. If a hotel wants to set itself up as a budget airline, you should be as loyal to them as they are to you!!