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.

Musings on the Hotel Experience

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

How often have you stayed in a hotel when the big things were impeccable, but it was the little things that caused irritation. In my role as a correspondent for Northstar Travel Media, I am privileged with the opportunity to experience and inspect a variety of international properties for our readers. But, it amazes me to find the exact same annoyances at properties across the globe. Too small to cause concern, but in summation enough to produce anger, these are undoubtedly widespread situations that all travelers endure.

How many times have you…

…been interrupted or awakened by the minibar inspector who wanted to check the status of your fridge? (You know... the one that you never even opened!)

…been charged for high speed Internet access at a so-called full-service property after having experienced free Internet at a budget-minded hotel days earlier?

…been awakened by overpowering noise in the hallways as housekeepers bang and scream their way from room to room? (Don’t get me wrong, I find housekeeping to often be the most friendly members of staff, but they can often be as loud as all get out!).

…been charged a token dollar or two to the room to go towards charity (from which the hotel will receive the praise)? Management knows most guests will be too embarrassed to remove the charge, and they can get away from saving what they would have contributed on their own.

…been saddened to find that the expensive room you paid for has hair in the sink or on the towel?

…been guilted into reusing your towel for environmental purposes?(A cause I support wholeheartedly, but always have an inkling the savings go into the hotel’s coffers rather than towards worldly good - Ed. Note: You and me both, brother. -).

…been submerged by water around your feet in the shower only minutes after starting the water since the so-called rainfall shower head was never matched to the drain’s capabilities.

I am by no means a perfectionist, but I do believe that the hotel industry has become complacent at a variety of key “touch points” that are important to the guest. My personal “touch points” are: the arrival moment, the ease of “living” in the room (Internet, phone, TV), the bathroom, the bed, and the unscripted interaction with employees (a smile from a housekeeper or greeting from a bellman). These are important “moments” where a guest’s opinion of a property can change in an instant.

Sure, it’s nice to have a signature scent in the lobby, turndown service, or a half-dozen restaurants. But, if I cannot relate on these primary touch points, I leave with more hesitation than praise.