Marriott Cutting Corners - On Toilet Paper and ..
Feb 19, 2009, 9:03 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: La Ministreuse de Surréalisme, CO Plat, MR Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 11,358
Rather than starting a new thread, bumping this one with slight twist.
Just checked into Residence Inn in Franklin, MA. I was looking for a tissue, but couldn't find the box. I also couldn't find the spare roll of TP that's normally under the sink, and we're running low. I called the front desk, and they informed me that "the tissue boxes are being phased out", but happily would supply a spare roll of TP.
Now, is this a chain-wide reduction in benefit, or just this property's decision of cost cutting?
Just checked into Residence Inn in Franklin, MA. I was looking for a tissue, but couldn't find the box. I also couldn't find the spare roll of TP that's normally under the sink, and we're running low. I called the front desk, and they informed me that "the tissue boxes are being phased out", but happily would supply a spare roll of TP.
Now, is this a chain-wide reduction in benefit, or just this property's decision of cost cutting?
I think I would be checking out at that point or asking for the manager. Seriously, you need to write Marriott corporate as well as the manager. There is no excuse for something that basic!
Feb 22, 2009, 10:20 am
#47
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
Updating to include my recent experiences:
- A Fairfield Inn I usually stay at if in the area, hadn't been there since August 08 at which time all was OK, now has the hollow soap.
- A full service Marriott, no mouthwash, no bath soap, had to ask for slippers (this was a Platinum upgrade room).
- On the other hand, Marriott Warsaw is still outstanding, soap, mouthwash, complimentary water, and a breakfast that has to be tried to be believed.
- A Fairfield Inn I usually stay at if in the area, hadn't been there since August 08 at which time all was OK, now has the hollow soap.
- A full service Marriott, no mouthwash, no bath soap, had to ask for slippers (this was a Platinum upgrade room).
- On the other hand, Marriott Warsaw is still outstanding, soap, mouthwash, complimentary water, and a breakfast that has to be tried to be believed.
Feb 22, 2009, 3:20 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: up front or in a suite!!!!
Programs: all the big ones.. no LCCs for me
Posts: 1,064
Updating to include my recent experiences:
- A Fairfield Inn I usually stay at if in the area, hadn't been there since August 08 at which time all was OK, now has the hollow soap.
- A full service Marriott, no mouthwash, no bath soap, had to ask for slippers (this was a Platinum upgrade room).
- On the other hand, Marriott Warsaw is still outstanding, soap, mouthwash, complimentary water, and a breakfast that has to be tried to be believed.
- A Fairfield Inn I usually stay at if in the area, hadn't been there since August 08 at which time all was OK, now has the hollow soap.
- A full service Marriott, no mouthwash, no bath soap, had to ask for slippers (this was a Platinum upgrade room).
- On the other hand, Marriott Warsaw is still outstanding, soap, mouthwash, complimentary water, and a breakfast that has to be tried to be believed.
Feb 22, 2009, 10:01 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: up front or in a suite!!!!
Programs: all the big ones.. no LCCs for me
Posts: 1,064
Aug 17, 2019, 7:00 am
#52
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 378
I think it's time to resurrect this thread. I find it interesting that Marriott likes to claim "resort" status when it comes to things like not providing free breakfast ($6 upcharge is the new "free), and not providing late checkout. But I'm staying at a Marriott resort currently that is showing Arne's cutting to the bone:
-8 tissues remaining in the box of "envision" tissue. They didn't envision that I'd be requesting a new box. Used to be Kleenex, and they'd have an extra box under the sink.
-Scott toilet paper in the bathroom. I'd get the same thing at a Fairfield, but this is a $250/night "resort" hotel. Used to be Cottonelle.
-One bar of soap to cover the sink and the shower. Again, even the Fairfield and Courtyard give you a large and small 'Paul Mitchell' bar.
-When I called to get an extra shampoo and conditioner (the family liked the new shampoo and conditioner and used it all), they gave me the old Marriott Thann toiletries.
-One phone, versus the two that rooms used to have.
-No makeup removal wipes (You still get these at Fairfield and Courtyard).
-No bottled water in the room. Have to go ask for it at the front desk.
-8 tissues remaining in the box of "envision" tissue. They didn't envision that I'd be requesting a new box. Used to be Kleenex, and they'd have an extra box under the sink.
-Scott toilet paper in the bathroom. I'd get the same thing at a Fairfield, but this is a $250/night "resort" hotel. Used to be Cottonelle.
-One bar of soap to cover the sink and the shower. Again, even the Fairfield and Courtyard give you a large and small 'Paul Mitchell' bar.
-When I called to get an extra shampoo and conditioner (the family liked the new shampoo and conditioner and used it all), they gave me the old Marriott Thann toiletries.
-One phone, versus the two that rooms used to have.
-No makeup removal wipes (You still get these at Fairfield and Courtyard).
-No bottled water in the room. Have to go ask for it at the front desk.
Aug 18, 2019, 12:12 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
As the recession arrives, it will be interesting to see which companies think that the answer is going to be to cut to the bone and which choose to invest in their consumer proposition to keep up occupancy levels.
I think we can all guess how it's likely to play out.
I think we can all guess how it's likely to play out.
Aug 18, 2019, 3:59 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Platinum, WN A-List Preferred, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 296
Just stayed at the JW Parq Vancouver - a lovely hotel by any standards - and used upgrade certs for a suite. Bathroom contained full-size bottles of Molton Brown products. Nice touch, except that the shower products - shampoo/conditioner/bath gel - were bolted to the wall as if at a RI (which, granted, would NOT be Molton Brown). There was a full-size lotion next to the sink with a note stating, essentially, you take it, you buy it.
Now, I'm not going to complain about a high-end bath product in a hotel, but I've gotta say, seeing everything attached to the wall really cheapened an otherwise great room. I know this is a long-term Marriott plan - the elimination of individual bottles - and can deal with it in a Residence Inn or TP Suites, as I have. But at a JW? And also, what does housekeeping do every day, fill the bottles so that the top is consistently new, but the older product lingers in the bottle? Ick.
Now, I'm not going to complain about a high-end bath product in a hotel, but I've gotta say, seeing everything attached to the wall really cheapened an otherwise great room. I know this is a long-term Marriott plan - the elimination of individual bottles - and can deal with it in a Residence Inn or TP Suites, as I have. But at a JW? And also, what does housekeeping do every day, fill the bottles so that the top is consistently new, but the older product lingers in the bottle? Ick.
Aug 18, 2019, 6:10 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
The phones seem like a reasonable adaptation (given that cell phones are near-universal). The rest is dubious, but that seems fair.
Aug 18, 2019, 10:17 pm
#58
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Just stayed at the JW Parq Vancouver - a lovely hotel by any standards - and used upgrade certs for a suite. Bathroom contained full-size bottles of Molton Brown products. Nice touch, except that the shower products - shampoo/conditioner/bath gel - were bolted to the wall as if at a RI (which, granted, would NOT be Molton Brown). There was a full-size lotion next to the sink with a note stating, essentially, you take it, you buy it.
Now, I'm not going to complain about a high-end bath product in a hotel, but I've gotta say, seeing everything attached to the wall really cheapened an otherwise great room. I know this is a long-term Marriott plan - the elimination of individual bottles - and can deal with it in a Residence Inn or TP Suites, as I have. But at a JW? And also, what does housekeeping do every day, fill the bottles so that the top is consistently new, but the older product lingers in the bottle? Ick.
Now, I'm not going to complain about a high-end bath product in a hotel, but I've gotta say, seeing everything attached to the wall really cheapened an otherwise great room. I know this is a long-term Marriott plan - the elimination of individual bottles - and can deal with it in a Residence Inn or TP Suites, as I have. But at a JW? And also, what does housekeeping do every day, fill the bottles so that the top is consistently new, but the older product lingers in the bottle? Ick.
I wouldn't be surprised if British Columbia or Vancouver has already adopted regulations on this since it is on the Pacific.
Aug 18, 2019, 10:50 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,248
Just stayed at the JW Parq Vancouver - a lovely hotel by any standards - and used upgrade certs for a suite. Bathroom contained full-size bottles of Molton Brown products. Nice touch, except that the shower products - shampoo/conditioner/bath gel - were bolted to the wall as if at a RI (which, granted, would NOT be Molton Brown). There was a full-size lotion next to the sink with a note stating, essentially, you take it, you buy it.
Now, I'm not going to complain about a high-end bath product in a hotel, but I've gotta say, seeing everything attached to the wall really cheapened an otherwise great room. I know this is a long-term Marriott plan - the elimination of individual bottles - and can deal with it in a Residence Inn or TP Suites, as I have. But at a JW? And also, what does housekeeping do every day, fill the bottles so that the top is consistently new, but the older product lingers in the bottle? Ick.
Now, I'm not going to complain about a high-end bath product in a hotel, but I've gotta say, seeing everything attached to the wall really cheapened an otherwise great room. I know this is a long-term Marriott plan - the elimination of individual bottles - and can deal with it in a Residence Inn or TP Suites, as I have. But at a JW? And also, what does housekeeping do every day, fill the bottles so that the top is consistently new, but the older product lingers in the bottle? Ick.
Were used to the conditioning of it being cheap as it has been used by lower end establishments in the past- doesnt make it a bad idea.
Aug 19, 2019, 12:47 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521