JackE

Not really. The paper is renewable and recyclable.

The best reason to eliminate them is the fake news in the newspaper.

nequine

In the UK they are encouraging guests to download newspapers (for free) to their device via the Press reader app. I tried it for the first time when doing a UK based holiday this year and was able to download my local newspaper when I was away each day.

CPMaverick

Most newspaper is made from recycled material, and all of it is recyclable.

E-readers and Ipads use electricity and contain heavy metals which are disastrous to the environment to mine.

Granted, getting your news on your phone, if you would have your phone anyway, is probably better for the environment but it depends on where the power to charge it comes from. It isn't so black and white...

CJKatl

As you state, we all have our devices anyway. Plus, you leave out the environmental damage and cost of delivering the paper and ink to the press, running the press and delivering the newspapers to the hotel. If things cannot move forward we'd still have typewriters in hotel business centers.

But...

Yesterday I needed to pack some glasses I'm giving to my nephew. For the first time, I did not have newspaper in the house in which to wrap them.

CPMaverick

I'm just saying that 'new technology' is very damaging to the environment yet people seem to look down on those that read newspapers as not caring. Apparently iPads grow on trees! And Wifi access implementation is 'green' too..

Since I don't own a tablet and have no need for one, I will continue to read hard copy when provided and not worry about my 'footprint'... one can be much greener by just not buying the latest widget every 6 months.

UpgradeMe

Deja vu all over again?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...y-changes.html

CJKatl

Nor do I own a tablet. Never have. I read newspapers on my over two year old iPhone 5c or on my laptop.

Correction: My phone will be four years old next month! Apparently it was purchased in Sept 2013.

HookEm

There sure is a lot of arrogance around. Just because you don't use something doesn't mean it should be banned and users should be mocked.
Hey, I don't own a global-warming, gas-guzzling SUV or truck, so let's ban them too! They are orders of magnitude worse for the environment.

SkiAdcock

Agree.

ryw

At a RI last week in California and they had papers at the desk. I particularly appreciate the physical paper to read at breakfast (instead of on my tiny phone), and I can throw it in my bag and take it with me on the plane/train when I depart which is nice. And then yes, I'll recycle or reuse the paper later on too.

catocony

Printed newspapers have gotten pretty expensive, and not that many people read them. My guess is if they were eliminated, they wouldn't overly missed.

jtet

Well, now that we've had commentary about the quality of news in general as well as the form of distribution, neither of which has anything to do with Marriott policy... Does anybody have anything to add which actually addresses the OP's query? Thanks for the couple anecdotal entries about recent experience with papers still being available.

ikwia

LOL!

To be clear, the Renaissance in question still has newspapers and dutifully delivered them this morning.

Regarding the discussion about the relative merits of keeping the physical newspapers: like any benefit offered by the hotel (or really any service provider), different people value different benefits differently. I happen to value the newspapers, but could care less about the hotel restaurant. Others very much value the gym, whereas others don't care. Ditto for laundry service, concierge service, and dozens of other little things. If the newspapers are going away, it is a devaluation for at least some consumers.

hockeyinsider

As someone who has worked in the newspaper industry, I hope this isn't the case if only because these hotel purchases of newspapers help pad the circulation figures of newspapers thereby allowing advertisers to be charged a higher amount. I wouldn't be surprised if Gannett, which owns USA Today, is partly kept in business by all of its hotel sales as I don't know anyone who otherwise buys USA Today.

The cost is negligible considering the number of newspapers most hotels buy every day. They could easy build the +/- $1 into the room rate. Alternatively, they could buy less and make them only available in the restaurant and executive lounge.

My issue is that less than 50% of Marriott hotels deliver a newspaper to my room, despite my preference to receive one.

In my experience, most U.K. hotels will ask if you want a newspaper and then order one for you from a news agent for each day that you're staying at the hotel. Sometimes they charge the newspaper to your room. Other times it's included in the rate.

hockeyinsider

Can Marriott confirm whether this is accurate?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28656584-post156.html