Last night the hotel where I stayed was very empty. There may have been a dozen cars in the lot this morning at a property with 6 floors and, I'm guessing, well over 100 rooms. So, I'm amazed to notice on my way to breakfast that half the doors on my floor have a newpaper hanging from the handle (signifying occupancy), including rooms on both sides of mine.

I realize that cramming all the guests into adjacent space makes the housekeeping job easier. But, my #1 requirement in a hotel is a quiet room. Last night was Super Bowl XL. I was up late, and heard the usual sounds - doors closing, goodnights in the hallway, the whoosh of the elevator, tv's tuned into late night programming, the flush of a toilet, footsteps on the floor above. God forbid they'd actually put sufficient insulation into the walls and ceilings. I know at least one airline provides the benefit of empty middle seats for elite flyers when possible. Why won't some hotel chain make a similar promise to its most frequent guests - a guarantee that, if space permits, the rooms above and beside yours will be unoccupied? They'd have all my business for life! Has it been done?