Hotels want you to skip housekeeping for the environment. That saves them money on labor and cleaning products. Hotels want you to re-use your towels for the environment. That saves them money on staff time, detergent and water.
None of this has really anything to do with cost-savings, of course, making it possible to pay fewer housekeepers and buy fewer supplies. It’s all because, as good corporate citizens, the property owners want to shift the burden of taking care of their local environment onto you and their staff.
Of course when they save on shampoo placing wall-mounted bottles in the shower, and refilling those out of disposable plastic, that’s supposed to be for the environment too. They choose not to use individual toiletries in biodegradable packaging. Make it make sense.
For April Fool’s Day I wrote that Marriott was promoting a new “If It’s Yellow Let It Mellow” campaign to get guests to flush less and reduce water usage.
So it’s not surprising I guess that the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek puts the $9 Fiji Water right next to the sign explaining their environmental consciousness.
FIJI Water comes from an aquifer in the Yaqara Valley on Viti Levu in Fiji. The water is bottled at the source there, and is then shipped to different locations around the world.
Marriott is eliminating single use plastics when it saves them money on toiletries, but they’re placing larger plastic bottles of water that have been shipped using fossil fuels from literally Fiji in every room because those sell for $9. You didn’t believe any of this was really about the environment though, did you?
(HT: Joe)
I have always said how absurd it is to buy Fiji water, what could be less environmentally friendly? I am not a militant environmentalist, but it does not take a genius to see how ridiculous it is to ship bottles of water 5,000 miles when tap water is perfectly safe. I always carry an insulated water bottle when I travel. I refuse to pay $5 for a bottle of water in the gift shops.
Only a Moron – OR- a Greenie in name only( non-thinking) would want to ship drinking water 10,000 miles on ship, trains, trucks ALL burning the dastardly FOSSIL FUELSwould be a good way to save Mother.Gaia….baffoons!!!
Was in Fiji last year. Call me a libcuck, but if you actually understand that Fiji imports much of its consumer goods via container ship, and those containers would go back empty otherwise; that’s why they bottle their water and fill those boats, then they go back to China, Los Angeles, Europe, etc., and elsewhere. So, ironically, not as ecologically insane as it seems, though it is still a ‘wild’ concept.
I’m waiting for someone to post something along the lines of:
“Shame on you Gary! It may not be perfect, but at least they’re TRYING to save the planet.”
To add to 1990’s comments, Fiji is not a wealthy nation. If they can convince foreigners to pay $9 for a bottle of local ground water, why wouldn’t they? Sure, it’s bad for the planet, but it probably brings in a ton of money they otherwise wouldn’t get. Besides, it’s not like shipping French handbags or Italian silk or other overpriced luxury goods around the world is any better.
That being said, Americans in general need to get over their fear of drinking tap water. On a recent cruise, I told some elderly ladies from Atlanta that I drink tap water and they were HORRIFIED, to the point that one of them literally clutched her pearls.
How does our resident travel expert not know that the wall shampoos are *NOT* refilled? (At least not the type used at Marriotts)
They are designed so that you can not open them and when they are empty housekeeping slides them off the wall mount and REPLACES them (which is why you see the mix-and-match branding sometimes, they’re still working through the inventory.)
Seriously. Next time you’re at a Marriott, try and open one.
@Arcanum — Like many island nations that rely mostly on tourism, I feel for the locals who often have few options. Sure, they live in what many in colder climates or ‘big cities’ tend to dream of, but ‘island fever’ is real. After a few weeks in a ‘tropical paradise’ most folks do get bored. Costs to import basic consumer items, like televisions, appliances, etc., come at a premium. It’s a fascinating story about logistics and economics. Or, we can just whine about overpriced water at hotels. Bah!
I don’t think anyone is dumping on Fiji for selling bottled water, but rather Marriott for virtue signaling hypocritical BS.
If it were up to me…ALL bottled water would be banned for sale…..
charge for a refillable container at 25 dollars and here is the tap……
It was absurd to start doing it…then the beverage industry convinced people tap water was unsafe (well except in FEW rare cases).
the use of aluminum cans at SFO is laughable…they should have done what i suggest above to really make a green point…but as you say…its about the $$$$.
Good news for American Airlines passengers holding devalued AAdvantage miles! Due to recent United States increases in tariffs on various goods from Fiji, the tariff rate for Fiji has risen to 32%, the highest among affected Pacific nations. As a result, Marriott International properties will be raising the price of their popular $9 Fiji Water to approximately $12. Thanks to this price increase, valued guests will now earn more AAdvantage miles when using their Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
Fiji Water, known for its soft and smooth taste enhanced by natural minerals, is refreshing. However, please consume Fiji Water responsibly to avoid serious health issues such as seizures, coma, and even death from water intoxication, hyperhydration, or hyponatremia.
Like his predecessor, Capuano is a vicious rodent who doesn’t care about guests in the least. Environmental concerns are apparently viewed with the same importance. Much more important to come up with yet another lifestyle brand.
@Arcanum Fiji is not charging $9 a bottle nor is it getting $9 a bottle….. Since it is an American company, I’m willing to bet the actual island gets less than $1 per bottle in wages and taxes.
Reading the Wiki on Fiji water paints the company is a particularly negative light.
Lots of interesting comments. I would never buy water in a light plastic bottle. Never!
God Bless Fiji for keeping its plastic bottles! I love the taste of their Fiji water. The bottles are reusable so there!
I worked at a Residence Inn. They did have separate commingled recycling pick up, BUT the bins marked for recycling were just thrown in the garbage. They really only recycled the cardboard, Companies often seem to want to do the right thing, BUT it requires individuals to step up AND management to set standards higher
I live in Tampa Bay Florida. I grew up in England. I never needed bottled water there. Here the smell of chlorine as the water comes out of the tap is disgusting!
Tap water in some cities with old lines is kind of gross, so not providing water is inexcusable. The green scam I’ve seen a lot lately at Marriott is selling a $1 reusable water bottle for $10 and making you run around the hotel to find the two water refill stations. Trying to take your meds first thing in the morning or last thing at night? Hope you remembered to travel with a water bottle and fill it before getting undressed.
We’re finding that at all Marriott properties except luxury 5-star we’re being told that skipping service is no longer optional. Recent stay at a Springhill in NoLa for example – was told at check in they’ll only clean every 3rd day. On 3rd day they didn’t show up. On 4th day we demanded a cleaning and only got a refresh. They didn’t even change the sheets. We had to steal towels daily off the housekeeping carts, and even though we didn’t do so, we noticed there were piles of dirty towels all along the hallways.
Just another of the myriad insulting shameless corporate deceptive disingenuous green washing self congratulatory marketing hype !!
Better summarized as “peeing on your leg & telling you it’s raining”…
Reminds me of the time I was @ Panera dutifully sorting my waste for them when a kind employee told me not to bother as it’s all thrown out together in the trash !
That did not help my overactive cynicism !
Is this repost from 20 years ago? It’s probably been going on that long. Nothing new
The Fiji water thing is ridiculous!! I just asked Alexa what the average Hotel stay is and she said three to four nights, therefore they only have to clean after each room turnover. Two different states I was told no cleaning until after the third night. But guess who’s trying to get in my room at an inconvenient time when I’m trying to get out the door???
Long ago I was SHOCKED at how VILE the company treated tge native Fijians when they STOLE the water tgey now sell. All other issues asside, the WATER does not put money in the locals purse…it was a deal that cut the locals out…usual steal by colonials from locals. I have NEVER touched Fiji water….will not..EVER
Even with status Plat and above, they are closing lounges early and on weekends. The only way for me to get free water is off of the cleaning lady carts. $5 tip a day goes a long way. I’ll grab a couple bottles every time I pass them in the hallway.
The fact that Fiji water is shipped 5000 miles is not the most ridiculous thing. A while back Fiji was doing pr for their water and some exec said something like “our water is the best because it comes from Fiji, not Detroit”. That made Detroit mad so they had the two waters analyzed. Fiji water was found to be high in things like mercury and arsenic, as to be expected because it’s a volcanic island. Ever since they filtered the water. All Fiji water is, is filtered water. You can get that from local sources anywhere in the world. There is nothing special about Fiji water. It’s only pure because it’s filtered. It’s 100% marketing hype.
Come drink some tap water down in Florida
Figi is in no way receiving that $9 a bottle. I’d be willing to bet they get less than $1 a bottle.
I am a greenie but I know the hotels do it to increase profit for the individual hotel owners and management companies. If they are concerned about the environment, sell clients a Brita filtering water bottle for five to seven dollars. Stop wasting money on corporate jets. Increase profit by decreasing upper level management salaries and stopping their bonuses. Increase housekeeping to show clients that you care. Stop nickel and dimeing customers so they will want to stay at Marriott more often. Force hotel owners to live up to the contracts that they have signed with Marriott regarding Bonvoy. I am becoming increasingly discouraged about how too many U.S. Marriott owner/operators are treating their guests. When the top treats customers like crap, front line employees get the message and treat the customers/clients like crap. Much better service and value comes from facilities outside the continental U.S.
It’s easy to take shots at hotels without understanding how they actually operate. Most aren’t run by the brand name you see on the building. They’re franchises, independently owned and operated, with obligations to both brand standards and local market demands.
So when a hotel offers a “greener stay” program, that’s separate from what they sell. If their guests prefer Fiji water, they have to stock it at a price that covers costs. This isn’t some evil scheme—it’s basic business. Assuming every hotel policy is brand-controlled ignores reality.
Before jumping on the outrage bandwagon, ask yourself: Is it the brand making the decisions or the hotel’s independent management? Not all properties operate the same way. But this author is known for spinning shallow narratives based on a quick phone call, conveniently leaving out details that don’t fit their story.
I bought a case (12 1.5L bottles) of Fiji water from Costco for $17.00 on sale with a $7 off coupon. I’d have to believe Marriott isn’t paying much more and they aren’t providing 1.5L bottles either.
I always find these “save the environment by not washing your towels”
Please don’t take this the wrong way, it does help reduce the water, soap and energy required to wash them, this isn’t the real reason, or depending on how you look at it, deal that the hotels want you to believe.
Let’s say you are staying at a modest hotel for 10 days. They will only clean your room on days 2,4,6 and 8. Already saving them labor costs when you spread it through the hotel. Now let’s say you shower once a day and are ok with reusing your towel for multiple days. Good, you are helping the environment. But, you are also getting less than what you actually paid for. The hotels wouldn’t offer these programs if there wasn’t a financial benefit to them.
Again don’t get me wrong, they do help save the environment but they give you nothing back in return for them saving money besides a participation feeling for helping out
But there are happy children singing as the water flows down untouched hills….
Using environmentalism as a cover for cutting back service is one of the most anti environmental thing you can do: it turns people against environmental causes. I personally dont want my room serviced everyday but it should be my option- though I wonder who will be the first to charge for service?
Personally, I have absolutely no problem with them selling bottled water, it’s my preferred way of drinking water.
The thing I take issue with are all those BS signs about going green, so reuse your to well, etc… Who do they think there scamming? They are always looking for a way to take shortcuts and do more with less. Reusing your towel does more for the property owner than it does for the environment!
Also, boycotting bottles of water won’t stop it from being produced, I’ll buy yours!
@kkat — Speaking of Florida water, anyone been to South Florida lately? At least in Fort Lauderdale, the water is literally pee-colored, yellow. Like, fill the tub at the Conrad or Four Seasons, and there’s literally a sign warning that it’s ‘natural’… ok, still, I prefer non-pee color.
>when tap water is perfectly safe
Flint Michigan back in 2014 would like a word with you.
If Marriott wanted to be environmentally conscious, they would install water filter taps in the rooms so we could use our own containers and not sell plastic bottles
I never depend on housekeeping. I bring my own bedsheets, disinfectant wipes and buy my own water
@1990 – As a Miami native who relocated 20+ years ago I can assure you that’s not the historical norm. The Florida aquifer has traditionally done a fabulous job of filtering the water. Of course, the usual suspects of over development, aging infrastructure, and profligate water usage by those who don’t care about the water bill have in tandem degraded the water quality. Now you have increasing salt water intrusion and chemicals in the water from plants like the one next to MIA. That’s a big problem. Interesting about the water color in your hotels. Maybe it’ll get people to actually take action although I wouldn’t bet on it.
Same thing big business has been do to us for years. They do nothing to curb the use of plastic then tell us to recycle or we are not environmentally conscious. One of the biggest cons ever. The whole thing would be funny is the situation wasn’t so dire.
This is not a Marriott thing. This is an American thing. In America, we care more about “optics” than anything else. If we can make it sound better, we’ll always choose that.
To be political, just listen to Trump.
Literally every word out of his mouth is laced with superlatives. Everything is is either the best or the worst depending on the situation.
Businesses are no different. A great example is when they have a security breach. The first words they always say? We take security extremely seriously. But they always say that after the breach. Never before. It’s just marketing. It’s in our culture
Why should we expect Marriott to be any different?
Royal Pacific at Universal charges 7.50 a bottle.
I never gave enough credit to the Westin Las Vegas, just behind the strip. They had (maybe have) aluminum reusable bottles with their logo and cool design for guests and with water filling stations throughout the property. We still have those bottles. Great keepsake and useful and reusable. Kudos to that management team!!!
Just walk on by to the next place if you dont like it. We all have choices. Just like reading this
editorial.
“I bought a case (12 1.5L bottles) of Fiji water from Costco for $17.00 on sale with a $7 off coupon. I’d have to believe Marriott isn’t paying much more and they aren’t providing 1.5L bottles either.”
No, they are paying less. Same suppliers. Ff they were paying more, they’d shop at Costco too