I agree, cmcc, though there would probably be some reading of "keep our costs and your prices down" as "keep our costs and our profits up."

I believe the cost being controlled is labor, not utilities. Less time to service the room if not changing sheets, and far less labor hours in the laundry room running washer and dryer loads, and folding sheets and towels. If utilities are the issue, why does virtually every hotel, even those in the deserts, not give me the option to reduce the water flow rate in the shower? I know some people hate low flow shower heads, but I find most hotel shower flow rates quite excessive. At least give me volume control instead of only temperature control. The combination of the "help us conserve" signs and grossly wasteful showers is especially irksome.

This thread caught my eye due to frustration during our last stay at the lack of recycling at a Denver property. When we asked at the front desk, one employee said he could take our glass and plastic bottles to his apartment's recycle pickup. Nice of him to offer, but Marriott needs to take care of this.