The Ritz-Carlton, an upscale chain owned by Marriott, has begun doing away with displays of fresh-cut flowers in hotels around the U.S. Instead, the chain is setting up apples or potted plants, which are cheaper and need replenishing less often. "It isn't something that the guest is going to notice, but yet it can cause considerable savings," says Vivian Deuschl, vice president of public relations for Ritz-Carlton.

Ritz-Carlton, like many other hotel properties, also is reducing operating hours for restaurants, spas and retail shops, says Ms. Deuschl. The cutbacks allow the hotels to reduce staff as well as bills for heating and cooling. Ritz's layoffs have been "in hotels where occupancy has not been able to justify staff-to-guest ratio," says Ms. Deuschl.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in Virginia has cut opening hours for its spa, which used to be open seven days a week. Now the facility is closed on Mondays. If a guest asks for spa services on a Monday they are encouraged to schedule something later in the week, says Ms. Deuschl.