The main purpose of hotels is to give us a place to sleep for the night. Sure, they’ve added in a bunch of other things to make our stay more pleasant (and expensive), like pools, bars, spas, etc. And they didn’t always offer what is today considered “required” amenities. From the Washington Post:
“I remember in 1967, we had a major decision to make in the Sheraton: Should we make it mandatory for all our hotels to have color TVs?” recalled Joseph A. McInerney, president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. “It shows you how far we’ve come.”
McInerney can offer a ticktock of the milestones: After color TV came the TV-plus-remote, then the clock radio. In the 1960s, shampoo became a must. Lotions, mouthwash and more followed. The 1970s saw the introduction of sewing kits, shoe mitts and shoe horns. In the early 1990s, coffeemakers appeared in the room. At the end of the century, irons and ironing boards became de rigueur.
Fortunately, black & white TVs, and televisions without remote controls aren’t even options anymore. But they also still include a bunch of things that, not only are we paying for in some way, shape or form) either the base price of the hotel or as part of the “resort fee”), we really don’t need in the 21st century:
In-room telephone
Save for calling the front desk or MAYBE your friend in another room, when was the last time you used the phone in your room? According to Pew Research, 97% of Americans own a cellphone of some kind (Fun Fact! I have a friened who does not, in fact, own a cell phone. She also doesn’t own a computer. When she goes somewhere, let’s say a doctor’s office, and they ask for her e-mail address and she said she doesn’t have one, they look at her like she has 3 heads), and it’s what we use for communication.
Also, telephones are one of the top 20 things that get stolen from hotel rooms…so why not just get rid of them?
In-room clock
Once again, our phones usually double as our clocks, and the have a built-in alarm system, to boot.
And that’s to say nothing of our watches being a good way to tell the time in the middle of the night.
All an in-room clock is for is waking you up at 3am because some prankster set the alarm to go off and wake up the next guest.
Bathtubs
If you have young children who still take baths, it’s one thing. But otherwise, who’s going to soak in a standard 14-to-16-inch tub in the hotel? The hotels that only offer showers are on the right track.
Mini Bar
Does ANYBODY use the mini bar anymore? At one time it was probably the only way to grab a drink or a snack. But motels typically have soda and candy machines and larger hotels usually have a bar for adult beverages.
Although some hotels (like this one) charge “street prices,” most mini bars have historically cost a fortune. Or it could be a excuse for a hotel to charge a “mystery bill” (and hope nobody notices???) But honestly, nowadays you see more people asking the hotel to empty the mini bar so it can be used as just a regular refrigerator.
Just get rid of them.
Robe & Slippers
I mean, I suppose robe & slippers are nice. I’ve never worn the slippers because, frankly, my feet are too small for them. And I always bring my own slippers anyway. Aaaaaand I’ve never seen the need for a bathrobe at home, so I don’t see a need to wear one in a hotel.
And you know we’re paying for them – especially the slippers, which, if they’re unwrapped, are tossed if you don’t take them with you. Does anyone ever use these things?
Shower Cap
Granted, I don’t see these nearly as much as I used to. But again, does anybody EVER use them, except as something to put our shoes in when we go home? (My friend Lary Lee taught me that trick.
Sewing Kits
In 1987, I got a complimentary sewing kit that was in my room at the Lowe’s Glenpoint Hotel in Teaneck, NJ (the hotel eventually turned into a Marriot property, which is what it remains today. I love how you can see where they replaced the tiles on the upper left corner, when they got rid of the original logo).
31 years later, I still own it. I’ve never used it. It’s mint in package. Because who ever uses sewing kits???
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7 comments
I used a sewing kit earlier this week!
In Japan, my hotel had vending machines in the hallway which sold beer. I believe each beer was about $2 (this was circa 2015).
That was way more efficient than a minibar, both for pricing and refilling. The only thing keeping it from happening in the USA is liquor laws.
I love my bathrobe! As for slippers, you are right: I am a size13. They are worthless.
The #1 thing that they should give up is charging the asinine, worthless “resort fee”.
I’m sure most people won’t disagree with your sentiments. But what does that have to do with amenities that hotels offer for free anyway?
I use shower caps quite often. It helps when you are short and can’t angle the shower head….
My dressing gown (bathrobe) at home is my bath towel. Much warmer, and secure, and it has pockets! Hotel ones are nice to have.
We got a sewing kit from the InterContinental HKG in 2015, and we’ve used it a couple of times to repaire a button or a seam.
Slippers, nice to have, especially if after around in socked feet you realise how dirty the floor is…
Now the coffee machine can go; give me a nice kettle instead!