Thanks for doing the math. Compared to 30 billion bottles of water sold in just the U.S. annually, Westin's contribution is mousenuts.

I can see how they're being a bit eco-friendly. I can see how it's labor efficient, with less restocking by housekeeping. But it's tacky in an aloft, let alone a Westin.

These photos show a classy hi-end bathroom. The Westin version is airport public restroom - cheap dispensers and cheesey looking. My first reaction before I had a chance to think about it was, "Oh no, what crap is this."

I like the bottles, use them, and take them with me when I leave if they still have product. So don't be confused - I think the these dispensers suck.

I would never pay to stay at the SLS as it's too costly. Getting Bliss at W hotels I consider a perk! I save the empties and put in shaving cream etc, as they are high quality travel bottles.

I'm still confused. Do you not like dispensers period or does it depend on the style of the dispenser (in relation to the design scheme of the bathroom)?

Correct me if I'm wrong ... and maybe I need reading glasses these days, but from what I'm seeing in the SLS photos looks more like a standard, home sized bottle of shampoo rather than a "dispenser," right?

If so, what we're talking about here is apples and oranges. The large, full sized bottles at SLS have far more in common with Westin's current smaller sized bottles (basically a large and small option) than a wall-affixed pump dispenser.

Am I missing something? It's been a long day.....

For me personally, I don't think the dispensers will be a deal breaker on the condition that they actually use some of the money they save by buying in bulk to purchasing higher quality products. I guess my question to the posters here is:

Are you more concerned with the fact that the shampoo/conditioner comes out of the dispenser? In other words, if a salon-quality shampoo/conditioner came out of the dispenser, would you still not use it?

I tend to not use the hotel products anyway, but I do like hotels that do spend the extra money to get higher quality products.

They are following Carnival cruise line

Some colleagues in my department donate the unused little bottles to a homeless shelter when they return.

Everything is relative
An estimated 50 billion bottles of water are consumed per annum in the US and around 200 billion bottles globally (A Fountain On Every Corner", New York Times. Find A Fountain, May 23, 2008.)

Ant that's just water, not counting coke and such...

But I can see how tempting it is for starwood properties to save $ by not offering 169M bottles and claim "greening" along the way

Yer darn tootin it's a deal breaker!

I might be able to live with fancy dispensers.

But when you add loosey, goosey soap to the possibily of not getting a late check out if the SLS is full up; being denied an upgrade to the Presidential suite with Gold Status; and - I just checked - NO PARKING CHARGES PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED ON SLS's HOME PAGE, forget it.

Cheers,

I'm not happy about the shared bottles but if this sticks how about they share the green they are saving (money) and give us platinum members free breakfast.

As long as we don't have to share the same plate...

Cheers,

I never bring my own soap, body wash, shampoo or conditioner. In my mind, I am paying for it. If I like what the hotel has to offer I will gladly take the remainder with me.

+1
Moreover, it is possible many of us have a shampoo bottle "addiction" and are very exited when Aveda, Bliss, Remede, etc are given in little bottles. Ellen Degeneres admits she takes the hotel shampoo bottles home with her.

Stayed at the Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury this week. They had the Bliss shaving cream, all the Shine products, and two robes in my room - both stays. I was impressed and will remeber this hotel. The rates were in the $135 range. Compare this to the Minneapolis Westin. MW went green so no robe, pump dispensers for the products, $28 to park, and $200/ni. Seems one hotel is doing their best to please and the other is making cuts at the expense of the customer.

The free breakfast for Plats does not fit into the green program as it promotes toilet flushing.

Whats up with Westin brand manager these days?

I mean saving money of course is what every company is trying to do but this is what they have done so far in lieu of "green"

1. Supplying only one bar of soap instead of two (Failed attempt)
2. Cutting down Executive Lounges, Unwind hours..etc. They are even too cheap to offer breakfast to elites while most other brands are doing it for their elites.
3. Declining room services for points
4. Cutting down size of the shampoo, conditioners by 20% and now.....Using the pump/dispenser in room?

If I am staying at a limited service brand, yes I can understand and tolerate all these efforts. However, you are charging us premium to stay at so called "Luxury business hotel/resorts". I don't know if others are on the same line with me or not but I believe luxury hotel should supply me things that I needed so I can carry less when I am away from home.

Most importantly, I don't want to figure out what is in that moody dispenser when I am paying good amount of money for a clean comfortable room and shower. If you want to save money, this is definitely not the place to be.

It's a very rare Westin I come close to thinking of as "luxury". Most Sheratons seem to be better than most Westins.