A silly question ... let's talk towels!

[AlexandNessa]

OK, so I mentioned this as an aside in my trip report ... but I thought I would throw it out there and gather your experiences.

Each hotel has some kind of Environmental Championing note in the bathroom that says if you leave your towel on the floor or in the tub, it will be replaced. If you hang your towel up, they will not replace it and you can help save the environment by reusing your towel.

We always hang our towels up, but it doesn't matter. They get replaced every day anyway.

This has happened to us at all 3 hotels. And it's not as if they're merely refolded and put away nicely. They are clearly fresh towels.


I am wondering too, if it's because we've yet to stay in a standard room? Hubby thought maybe it's because we always stay club or are in a suite and they just automatically replace those towels, just like turn down service is automatic in club or suites? But that's silly, because then why bother having the towel notice at all?

Not that I care, because who doesn't love a fresh towel?

Just curious as to what everyone else's experiences are.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Same as you - I always hang my towels and they are always replaced with new. And sometimes I throw a hand towel on the floor underneath sink to show that it is clearly dirty, and they still replace the towels on the rack. Oh well, I'm not complaining. We are platinum too, but I bet they do this with everyone . Maybe they don't want to guess and have to come back later with fresh towels?

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

My DH does that and they always replace. My theory is that they are afraid that someone did not realize (see the note) and think housekeeping did not do their job.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Just got back from the HRH and they gave us new ones every day regardless of what we did with the used ones.

 

[damo]

We don't usually let housekeeping in our room until we need new towels.

 

[RLMinVA]

Put yourself in the shoes of the housekeeping staff. Just like in a restaurant when the waiter rushes over to neatly fold your napkin when you have stepped away to the restroom, a resort housekeeper likely "goes the extra mile" in hopes of a bigger (if any) gratuity. Having worked in the travel / lodging business, it always surprises me when one tells me that they don't leave a gratuity for housekeeping. In this instance, I am sure they are told to only replace those that are on the floor but they do it anyway to impress the guest.

We generally make it a habit to leave something on the first day to let the housekeeper know that we are tippers. Then, on the last day we leave whatever we think is warrented given the service that we have been provided. You'd be amazed at what the staff can come up with to "warrant" more! We've been given extra Lowes gifts, fruit, towel animals like one recieves on a cruise. More importantly, the room seems to always be first on their rounds. Cool what a little recognition can do, huh?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Sorry, who said anything about tipping?

We do tip, every day in fact in case the same person doesn't clean our room every day. Is that why you're saying we get the fresh towels whether we want them or not?

It's not about recognition or going the extra mile. It was really about the efficacy of the "save the environment" program if housekeeping doesn't follow it anyway.

 

[JawsCPA]

Jodi - We stayed at HRH in June 2006. (We stayed in queen deluxe room) I don't think they had a sign about being environmentally friendly. We put all of our used towels on floor and they replaced. I'm not sure if they replaced unused ones still hanging or not.

I have stayed in many other hotels that do have the sign. They only replace towels if you put them on the floor.

I think the hotels should use the sign - that way you the guest decide.

 

[RLMinVA]

Sorry if my comments offended. What I was trying to say was that I believe the staff replaces towels in an attempt to solicit tips for "better service"...not that tips brought more towels. It does make you wonder though about whether the disregard for the rule by the staff would hurt their tips. Environmentally thoughtful persons may be offended by the disregard of rehung towels.

Anyway, didn't mean to make anyone upset or think me a fool. I may be a bit delirious...eight days and counting until we arrive for 5 DAYS!!!!!

RLM

 

[AlexandNessa]

Sorry if my comments offended. What I was trying to say was that I believe the staff replaces towels in an attempt to solicit tips for "better service"...not that tips brought more towels. It does make you wonder though about whether the disregard for the rule by the staff would hurt their tips. Environmentally thoughtful persons may be offended by the disregard of rehung towels.

Anyway, didn't mean to make anyone upset or think me a fool. I may be a bit delirious...eight days and counting until we arrive for 5 DAYS!!!!!

RLM

No offense taken, and I apologize if I came across as crass; I didn't mean to. I was just confused as to what your argument was. We did tip, but essentially, housekeeping didn't do what we asked for, if you think about it. Oddly, we couldn't get them to replace an empty tissue box, but they did replace towels that didn't need to be replaced. Wonder if we didn't tip if they'd have left the old towels and not replace them?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[keishashadow]

Since we must use the same towels @ DVC for 3 days before mousekeeping replaces them; i relish the thought of fluffy news ones daily @ U and anywhere else we travel.

Accordingly, @ U, the used ones are dumped in the tub every morning.

We travel w/3 or 4 in party. Not sure if U "ups" the towel count in that scenario?
IMO, they should provide each guest with 2 large towels pp. Realize we could call for extra towels, typically just make do with what we're given & leave a note the next day.

btw, not for a minute do i think the industry is being "green" in this practice solely for altruism, other than to save "green-backs" in their overhead.