Cutbacks
 

I know these are extremely difficult times for hotels. But guests should know what we are losing.I have noticed:
1.No more evening turndown.
2.RC food has deteriorated dramatically. Hot dishes are very unusual. Even cold meats are no longer consistently present.
3.Those tooth pastes have disappeared in my last 2 hotels.
I am obviously not discussing needed staff cutbacks except the Diamond line CS staff is the same as the Reservations staff.

Would Hyatt gain more revenue if they cut room rates at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts? I find HH&R to be too pricey at major cities and airports, especially on weekdays, vs. much of the competition.

I think they would. Marriott seems to do a good job of dropping prices, especially on weekends with their MEB rates.

At what hotels have you experienced these cutbacks? I haven't seen them at the last three Hyatts I stayed at, for example, which means it could be just an individual hotel decision.

I noticed no evening turndown at the PH PHL, though I wasn't that surprised.

Iv'e never gotten toothpaste in a US Hyatt before so I don't think I would miss it much.

At least we're still getting bath and hand soaps. There is a multi-page thread on the SPG forum complaining about getting only one soap.

It seems to me that the toothpaste in the rooms only began about a year ago. What I have noticed is that they only put the mouthwash in HRs and not in regular Hyatts. It doesn't bother me of the loss because I don't like that brand of toothpaste anyway. And in my perspective, I'd rather pay 50 cents at Wal-Mart for a mini-tube of toothpaste than have to pay $10 for internet.

Should have read this thread before I left home...just discovered no toothpaste here at the Hyatt Regency ORD, even in the Exec Tower room I was upgraded to. Had been so used to getting a tube that I didn't bother to pack anything more than the tiny one that came with a toothbrush in my UA C amenity kit, anticipating collecting a couple through my current trip while staying at three Hyatts. (They still have the Scope.) Have to search out a CVS or Wallgreen's in downtown Chicago on my way to the Art Institute later today.

Did you ask at the front desk? They usually have something on hand.

Toothpaste was still available this week at two other properties.

On a sidenote, I assume it is a promo run by the manufactorer and not Hyatt willing to pay for it to satisfy its guests...?

Add to the cutback list - shrinking of the already-compact Portico shampoo bottle size.

I would consider that a step in the right direction.

I'm conflicted - I take the Portico items with me and use those at Park Hyatts so I can take the items from the Park Hyatts home for when I'm having a bad day.*

* Sadly, I'm not kidding.

Did after breakfast and was given a few sachets of single-use Colgate, which is fine. I'll be at two other Hyatts in the Chicago area through Tuesday (yes, I admit to a Mattress Run to up my stay credits and FFNs), so will be curious to see if they still have the tubes. I've always found the tubes at US Hyatts (mainline brand) for the past two years, so just took it for granted this was a regular bathroom amenity. (Maybe it was a promo with the brand.)

He he. I take the stuff from the Park Hyatts (which have a separate tub, and turndown replenishment, which means more loot) and use them at the lesser Hyatts, completely avoiding the Portico "products."

I've noticed some changes to RC service over the last year.

Reduction in cold meat selection at breakfast, reduction in choice of cheese in evening. General overall reduction in choice and variation.

Petit Fours replaced by slice cake/flans.

combined evening cocktails and cordials session.

RC closing 1 hour earlier.

Beers by request rather than on display.

Some premium spirit brands disappearing.

This is comparing the same properties year on year.