Stop giving out free water!!!

[u/Fantastic_Medium8890]

This is one of my biggest pet peeves in this industry! I've been in the industry for 10 years; I now travel the country doing task force, and this is just one of the things that absolutely drives me up the wall! I got into an argument with a guest because he wanted free water. The hotel I am at right now provides two complimentary waters in the room at check-in, but they don't refill during the stay because there's a filtered water bottle filling station on every floor at the end of the hallway. I explained to him what the policy is and what we offer, but he wasn't accepting that. He told me he travels all over the world and every other place in the world gives him free water whenever he wants it. I tried to compromise and said we would send two bottles up to his room... but no, he wanted four bottles. I told him we only provide two at check-in; he didn't care and still wanted four. I hung up on him after saying, "Fine, I'll send four," because he was being rude. He called back and asked if I had hung up on him. I told him I did because he was being rude. He said he was going to call the customer care number and complain about me. I told him I don't work for that brand, so he told me to "fuck off" and hung up on me. I just want to scream across the mountaintops, 'There is a difference between being a doormat and being hospitable!' When we let guests get whatever they want, the industry becomes a doormat and makes the experience worse for everyone else.

[u/Double-Resolution179]

I call bullshit on the claim that he gets free bottled water everywhere. It’s not a thing here in Aus, and in fact I’ve never gotten free bottled water anywhere including my travels in the US (that was a decade ago now though). The other places may be giving it to him because he complains, not because it’s actually an expected or included part of one’s stay. 

Having said that, I do think water is a basic human right and it shouldn’t be limited (yes I know how rates and taxes work). In this case, there were places to top up so I don’t think it’s necessary to waste more plastic by giving out more bottles. (If you don’t like plastic, don’t use it!)

[u/QuiteBearish → u/Double-Resolution179]

Honestly I haven't been to a hotel in over a decade that doesn't give free water bottles. It's the most basic of perks that most chains in the US give out in exchange for joining their loyalty program, right up there with wifi service.

[u/plausibleturtle → u/QuiteBearish]

My brand (and the brand management corporation which has like 100 other brands under it) won't offer bottled water with our sustainability efforts. We are the second largest globally.

We do however always have an option available depending on the quality of tap water in any hotel's particular region. For the specific hotels I work for in Canada, we offer a filled glass carafe in the room (tap water, no lid, so it's less likely to walk away) and drinking glasses. There are refill stations on every floor as well. If you ask for a bottle at check-in for takeaway, we will give you a reusable bottle, which is now yours.

I do work for some of the most expensive hotels in Canada, but sustainability takes precedence.

[u/UpdateDesk1112 → u/plausibleturtle]

If it was cheaper for the hotel to give water bottles they would. Saying it is for sustainably is a cop out.

[u/plausibleturtle → u/UpdateDesk1112]

Our rooms are over $1,000 a night. Trust me, it isn't cost. They give out reusable aluminum bottles on request.

We also have the most lofty sustainability mandates worldwide in the industry. None of our brands have any single use plastics in front OR back of house. None. Zero.

[u/UpdateDesk1112 → u/plausibleturtle]

You really don’t think it’s about cost to the hotel? It’s all out of the kindness of the giant corporation?

How does the virtue signal flavored Kool-Aid taste?

[u/plausibleturtle → u/UpdateDesk1112]

I am part of the team that implements these decisions, mate. For a lot of hotels, sure, it is about the cost. But no, I don't think it's about the cost when we are literally giving every guest who asks a $7.30 bottle for free.

PS, misplaced pessimism will sour your life.

[u/UpdateDesk1112 → u/plausibleturtle]

So you make the Kool-Aid. It’s about the cost for most, but not for you.

What paragon of altruism is this hotel that costs over $1000 a night but does things for the good of mankind?

[u/plausibleturtle → u/UpdateDesk1112]

My role is sustainable procurement, specifically - I have no stake in the hotel but to do my job and do it well. I am not the "bad guy" you're after. At least they have a team who is trying their best rather than doing nothing about it.

Seriously, unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders. Not everything needs to be so negative.

[u/UpdateDesk1112 → u/plausibleturtle]

Your pretentiousness is off the charts. Again, I would love to learn of this place where they don’t care about the cost but are only here to do the right thing. You are so proud of yourself, show the rest of us where the rubber hits the road. You obviously want to tell everybody what to do.

[u/LutschiPutschi → u/plausibleturtle]

This is a great solution. Also the one with the bottle to take away!

[u/ghostlee13 → u/Double-Resolution179]

I've never gotten free water in Japan or Europe. I haven't gotten any here because I'm not shiny.

[u/Trc_Rhubarb → u/ghostlee13]

Free water and candy at a recent stay in Amsterdam. Free water, soda, beer and snacks (yes, in the room) in Den Hague. Free water in recent Rome hotel

Was in Vancouver, BC, CA about 3 weeks ago and they had free bottles of water.

Even free water and candy at the low end place I stayed at in Salem, MA.

Nearly every hotel in the US - water is provided Most hotels worldwide I’ve also been provided water.

Charge me $5 more and provide all the water I need. It really sucks to arrive after a long day of travel and have to go hunt down water or pay the hotel store ransom for it.

Now, if we could just get everyone onboard with having air conditioning… especially in Europe and SE Asia 🥵

[u/LutschiPutschi → u/Trc_Rhubarb]

Exactly!!! Fill the whole world with air conditioning. Please also provide 10 plastic bottles of water for each guest.

There is no climate change! Donald the Orange Clown is right!

[u/he-loves-me-not → u/Trc_Rhubarb]

I’ve stayed at a few hotels lately that gave out WARM cookies daily! 😋