Back in the day, when you stayed at a hotel, your room would be cleaned and refreshed each day. The bed would be made and fresh towels would be supplied each day. When you stayed at hotel, daily housekeeping was a standard expectation and even a key differentiator from a vacation rental or Airbnb. Ever since COVID, times are changing, and at many Marriott properties, that daily refresh is becoming less of an automatic service and more of an option.
Initially, Marriott asked you if you wanted daily housekeeping and if you opted out then you received points for foregoing this service. Recently, this have changed at Marriott.
The Current Landscape: Housekeeping on Request
Across various Marriott brands, the trend leans towards housekeeping being provided upon request rather than automatically daily. This isn’t a universal policy, and it can vary significantly between different Marriott brands (like Ritz-Carlton vs. Fairfield Inn), individual hotel locations, and even your booking rate. I guess housekeeping is covered by the ubiquitous resort fees!!
- Request-Based Service: Many Marriott hotels now require guests to specifically request housekeeping service, often by a certain time each day. Note that they are not providing any benefit if you do not request housekeeping service!
- Longer Stays: For longer stays (typically six nights or more), a full cleaning is often provided automatically at a set interval.
- “Go Green” Incentives (Often Gone): While some hotels initially offered loyalty points or small credits for opting out of housekeeping, this incentive has largely disappeared at Marriott properties.
- Luxury Exceptions: Higher-end Marriott brands are more likely to maintain daily housekeeping as a standard amenity.
Why the Shift? Several factors are likely at play:
- Cost Savings: Housekeeping is a significant expense for hotels, involving labor, laundry, and cleaning supplies. Reducing the frequency of service directly impacts the bottom line.
- Labor Shortages: The hospitality industry has faced significant staffing challenges, and housekeeping departments are no exception. Offering housekeeping on request allows hotels to manage their limited staff more efficiently.
- Environmental Concerns (Sometimes): While often framed as an eco-friendly initiative to conserve water and energy, the primary driver is often cost reduction.
- Guest Preferences (To a Degree): Some guests, particularly those on shorter stays or prioritizing privacy, may prefer not to have housekeeping enter their rooms daily.
What This Means for You, the Traveler:
- Lower Rates (Potentially, but not always transparent): In some instances, you might find slightly lower rates for rooms that don’t include automatic daily housekeeping. However, this isn’t always clearly communicated upfront. This is typically doubtful, think of this as shrinkflation.
- Proactive Planning: If daily housekeeping is important to you, you’ll need to be proactive and request it, often daily.
- Managing Your Own Space: Be prepared to handle basic tidying, trash disposal, and towel management yourself, especially for shorter stays where you might not request service.
- Checking Hotel Policy: Before booking, it’s crucial to check the specific hotel’s housekeeping policy, usually found on their website or by contacting them directly. Look for details on service frequency and how to request it.
- Adjusting Expectations: The automatic daily refresh might be a thing of the past at many Marriott properties. Adjust your expectations accordingly and be prepared to manage your room yourself if you don’t specifically request service.
The Debate:
The move away from automatic daily housekeeping is a point of contention for many travelers. While some appreciate the added privacy or potential cost savings, others view it as a reduction in service without a corresponding decrease in room rates. The argument that this is primarily for environmental reasons often rings hollow when other cost-cutting measures are evident.
The Bottom Line:
The days of automatically expecting daily housekeeping at every Marriott property seem to be fading. While service is usually available upon request, it’s no longer the default. As a traveler, it’s essential to be aware of this shift, do your research before booking, and be prepared to manage your room or proactively request the service you desire. The “make your own bed” era of hotel stays appears to be gaining traction, and understanding this new reality will help ensure a smoother and more predictable travel experience.
I would not be surprised if Marriott in the future, charges for daily housekeeping services!!