Are toiletries a definite brand standard - Waldorf Astorias
 

I'm not sure what the official policy is concerning in-house amenities, perhaps someone know for sure:

I just completed a stay at the Arizona Biltmore (Waldorf Astoria), and although we received Salvatore Ferragamo hair products, the bar soaps were definitely not Ferragamo; some generic wrapped pill-pressed rounds that were not luxurious IMHO.

I seem to only encounter this at WA properties, although, most do supply all Ferragamo products. So are they not required to offer Ferragamo products exclusively :confused: I would tend to think there is some sort of marketing agreement between WA and Ferragamo, but maybe not. Wonder if Ferragamo is cool with WA hawking other designer's brands. :td:

Along the same lines, why do some Hilton properties furnish the full complement of Peter Thomas Roth amenities (i.e., shampoo, conditioner, body cleanser, bar soap, body lotion, mouthwash, dental kit, manicure kit, sewing kit, shoe mitt, shoe horn, etc.) while others provide only the bare minimum (i.e., shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, and body lotion)? I recognize local-level cost-cutting when I see it, of course, but shouldn't corporate be dictating some standards for the flagship full-service brand?

Ha! I was there recently too and noticed the same thing. I left a note and tip for housekeeping to get them to leave the Ferragamo body wash.

I don't think I've ever seen the full line of PTR amenities (shoe horn, etc.) anywhere in the US. I only recall it in Asia.

At the rates WA's charge, you would think they could supply the real deal (considering the Biltmore assesses a $28 daily "resort" fee too). :td:

Usually in exec. floor rooms and suites.

While I haven't seen a full line in US Hiltons with dental kit, manicure kit, sewing kit, I had definitely seen shoe mitt, shoe horn, those were common items especially for the last switch from C&E La Source.

Really? I feel like I'd own a lot more shoe horns if US rooms had them. I'm usually in exec floor rooms, and I don't think I've ever encountered one...

They had the full PTR line last week in my room at the Singapore Hilton. And the size of the items were bigger than what I found in North America.

Maybe you should try a Conrad hotel. They always have Aromatherapy Associates products and if you use the app, one can have the Shanghai Tag, Tara Smith Vegan, or The Refinery products substituted in the bath. Some of the Conrads have left both sets in for us. None are really high end, but better than most hotels use.

Yeah, the Hilton Guangzhou shed the light to me that there's SO much more than shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and soap...All of these, and don't forget the PTR-branded loofah, bath salt tablet thingy, and I'm sure even more. I actually bring home the loofahs for my wife...They give me a new one every day!

(This and for many other reasons, the Hilton Guangzhou is by far my favorite regular Hilton brand property in the world).

Love to, but there's only five Conrads in the USA :td:

I'm at the Biltmore currently. I was surprised - no body wash, 3/4 bottle of body lotion, shampoo and conditioner and a bar of soap. That's it.

And if your experience is anything like my recent trip, you won't have a robe in your room, won't get turn down without asking numerous times, and housekeeping won't do anything besides make the bed and sometimes take towels unless you leave them a tip with a note and instructions. At least the renovated rooms are nice.

I have but its certainly been rare

At Waldorf NYC they provided the full Ferragamo range with the exception of the bath soap, which was in a WA packaging and eeked strongly of clove.

And strangely, Housekeeping replenished everything except my bath gel bottle throughout the week. But when I asked for replenishment, she grabbed a bunch and handed over to me. Never quite understood why.