Cranky Customer

I've stayed in quite a few hotels that have that water and energy saving option, and not one ever really followed through on it. Either they're just trying to look good and failing, or nobody told the housekeeping staff about the conservation policy.

I do housekeeping at a hotel that uses these cards, and for the record I want you to know that I always leave the towels people hang up to dry, and don't replace them. And I never replace their soap unless it's small or broken. This may be a small thing, but I know that all the small things do add up at the end of the day. I also recycle all the bottles, cans, etc. from the trash even though we're not required to. I have tried to get more employees on board with my recycling effort, but with no luck. I was told by one in particular that "the world was going to blow up anyway". Frustrating!

Good for you, Andrea. And thank you! -rc

I'm living in Japan for a couple of years now, and I've had the chance to land on some hotels here. While it is true that the Japanese waste lots of resources, they're clearly trying to change their habits. For sure, the Kyoto Protocol was signed here! So some of the hotels (at least the ones I've visited, in a price range of US$50-150 per night) have changed the soap bars, mini shampoo and mini conditioner bottles for large refillable bottles (of liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner). Next to these bottles there's always a card stating that they're trying to help the environment by not wasting resources. And I'm happy they're doing so!

Hope the western hotel chains follow suit.

I have always before (naively) assumed that the hotels were doing what they said; I will try to pay attention to this and bring it to the management if I notice it.

I think it likely that management is unaware of the pratice of the maids, who probably find it easier to treat every room alike instead of having to notice and think.

Do you really want to know why the linens are changed daily? Ask the head housekeeper if the maids know whether a tenant is scheduled to leave or not. If the daily work sheet the maid receives does not include the length of stay she would not have a clue to leave the used linens. Expecting a CEO or other management to respond to any postings is asking a lot. Most of them are only interested in the balance sheet.

I'd think the housekeepers would know that a customer will be staying in a room because their stuff is still there -- suitcases, etc. -rc

We saw this exact kind of disconnect at the Cincinnati Hilton when we were there last July for a conference. I have to admit that we never bothered to report it to the desk clerks, and we should have. But I have to wonder if there is difficulty in notifying the custodial staff of when they should change the towels in a particular room no matter what (such as if there is a change of visitors in the room) and when they shouldn't (visitors staying multiple days). In a 150-or-more-room hotel, a departure from normal procedure may require instituting a "system" on the maids' end for how they can tell the difference. (Of course, for all we know, they curse as slobs those of us who drop the towels on the floor, not knowing we're signaling for a fresh one.)

The water used on laundry is excessive, but minimal compared to the pools, water features and other wasteful water practices that seem to flaunt the way they can throw away water. In Las Vegas the fountains, and misting sprays that just spray water into the air in an attempt to cool the visitors, make one think water is endless. Not to mention the golf courses, lawns and other inappropiate landscaping that desert area hotels seem to flaunt.

I asked the manager of a Holiday Inn about that once, and he said that when they tried a "new linens and towels each day optional" plan, a lot of people complained. They didn't read the little card that explained how to get new linens daily, and were offended that it didn't happen automatically. People like you and I, Randy, were apparently a small minority.

Since I don't travel more than 3 or 4 times a year, I don't recall having this occur at any of the hotels I stay at, however, I am sure it is problem from time to time. My pet peave is that of the first commentator; why does housekeeping always throw away a bar of soap that has barely been used every day?

I always take mine and hide it somewhere like an Easter egg hoping to save the company a little money. I, also, keep a sandwich bag in my toiletries bag to place the bar in to take home if I've only used it once or twice.

I know...that's being anal retentive in our throw away wasteful society. I was brought up by parents of the Depression, however, and taught never to waste...anything!

Beyond this silliness with the towels, can you imagine how much money could be saved by companies, and, hopefully, consumers, if these chain companies did not insist on printing their names on every available item. Really, do I need to read "American Airlines" on the trash bag as they pass by and collect empty my peanut bag reading "American Airlines, Honey Roasted Peanuts?" Sheesh! A trash bag that proclaims your company logo is so unneeded and silly it really just speaks to the quality of the company itself. The ink used alone impacts our enviornment. Get a grip guys, I think I know what plane I am currently sitting in without the trash bag to remind me.