Get Paid for Not Making the Bed?

Ramsey Qubein is Travelin' Light's on-the-road correspondent.

Slobs everywhere rejoice! Or at least book a room at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers. The Starwood-affiliated property has recently rolled out a program entitled “Help the Earth—You Tidy, We Treat,” providing $5 gift card in the hotel’s restaurants or 500 Starwood Preferred Guest Points for guests who are willing to turndown housekeeping services. And this reward is offered each day the Do Not Disturb sign graces the doorknob. Yes, it finally pays to not make your bed. Who would have thought this day would have come to pass?

Certainly not the housekeeping staff! This new program is in its infancy stages so it is unclear if this measure will save money from staff reductions or simply from less water and detergent usage. The big question comes from potential wear and tear in rooms that may repeatedly go days without being cleaned.

“We want to increase our environmental conservation efforts by providing an optional incentive program for our guests,” says General Manager Matthieu Van Der Peet. “The beauty of this program is that the decision to participate can be made on a daily basis and doesn’t require you to contact anyone in the hotel.”

The Sheraton in Kauai was the first hotel to begin a similar program, and the Seattle Sheraton and Towers agreed to be the second pilot test. Management will surely be keeping a watchful eye on the development of this program and how effective it is at controlling costs. And, guests are thrilled at the chance to earn big points and food discounts. Talk about a win-win that has led to a successful rollout at other Starwood properties in 2009.

Many hotels make it clear that linens will not be changed each day until a guest checks out anyway. And getting your towels changed? Well, with enough points for a free hotel stay after just a few days without housekeeping, the choice becomes quite clear.