Originally Posted by
pinniped
That's probably because most parts of the U.S. don't have many unique hotel properties where that really matters much. I imagine if you were staying in a small boutique or a B&B it would still be considered a normal request. (Or more normal anyway...)
My favorite example of this was a stay at The Library Hotel in NYC. On checking in, I was asked "Fiction or Non-fiction?" (You can reserve specific rooms, but I had actually been walked from another hotel.)
The chains where I have status seem to do well at meeting my needs, but I'm not remarkably fussy. As long as it is non-smoking and not next to the elevator / ice machine, I'm fine.