There is a wide range of preferences. For me, I rarely have housekeeping at all throughout my stay. If 5+ days I may have them come in once. Even then, I tend to just call the front desk to exchange towels. I prefer not to have people in my room for both business and leisure stays. At the same time, I understand other folks truly like daily (or at least more frequent) housekeeping. Marriott taking away the choice is definitely a cut back in service no matter how they try to spin it. I haven't checked yet but I imagine Hilton, IHG, and even Hyatt probably won't be too far behind and implement similar housekeeping policies if they haven't already.

The housekeeping cutback is just another step in the continuing trend of hotel rates increasing while service is decreasing. There have been some limited improvements in lounge service over the last 6 months or so. Other than that it has been service reductions and that is the overall trend. Eventually the bubble will burst when supply exceeds demand. Increasing of and reduction of services is usually cyclical. How long the downhill spiral continues is hard to predict. Vote with your wallet. YMMV....

--Jon