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Hotel Brands Striving for Consistency and Flat-Screen TVs

September 15, 2006 at 11:52 AM | 1 Comment

Hotels sure seem to be proliferating these days but all of this is causing a bit of headache for guests as far as hotel brands go, meaning that iPod alarm clock you come to depend on in the Westin Times Square may not be available in Westins elsewhere.

The Wall Streeet Journal reports hotel chains are selling off their properties to new owners who don't necessarily stick to the hotel brand standards. Sometimes, the new owners even decide to switch the hotel brand like turning a Hyatt into a Hilton.

That's putting greater responsibility for the brands' reputations in the hands of outsiders. It's also sparking a wave of "reflaggings" -- industry-speak for switching from one brand to another.

All of this comes at a loss to brand consistency like they Hyatt in San Diego charging $22.80 per hour after check-out time while the Hyatt Times Square charged nothing of the sort even three hours after check-out.

At some Four Seasons hotels, which WSJ named "outstanding" in their hotel report card, cable internet service was free in Chicago while other places charge $10 or more for 24 hours.

The list of standards continues all the way from how far away greeters should greet the hotel guests (five feet at Hyatt) to the types of amenities in each room like flat-screen TVs, something all the big hotel chains are eager on installing (hear that Tribeca Grand?)

Others making the top of the WSJ's report card were Ritz-Carltons and W Hotels. On the bottom of the list, meaning so-so consistency are Hiltons and Sheratons. Problems plaguing the bottom of the list seem to be rough linens and towels, extra fees for hotel services like the fitness center and room quality (spotless in New York, not-so-hot in San Diego).

Yet, hotels are taking back the night by terminating contracts with owners who aren't living up to their brand standards. In the end, what this all means for you is to make a shitload of money. Because then you can afford to stay at a Four Seasons or a Ritz wherever you go and won't have to deal with the inconsistencies the common folk have to suffer through.

Got a funny inconsistent hotel story? Let us know or comment below.

Image via Gingerlane/Flickr

Related Stories:
· The Hotel Name Game [Wall Streeet Journal]

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Author Photo: juliana by juliana

1 Comment

Return to » Hotel Brands Striving for Consistency and Flat-Screen TVs

  1. Tim L.

    HotelChatter Member
    September 15, 2006 at 12:17 PM




    Re: Hotel Brands Striving for Consistency and Flat

    What most people don't realize is that the big hotel chains don't really own most of their hotels. They just get paid a percentage for managing the place. In reviewing hotels for a trade magazine, I've seen some of them change names (and brand affiliations) three times in five years. You tell your taxi driver, "Take me to the Marriott" and he has no idea what you're talking about. You give him the address and he says, "No, that's a Hilton!" Well it was...

    New developers will play the brands off against each other, trying to score the best deal. This is especially true in developing countries. A new hotel development is announced as an InterContinental, become a Hyatt during the construction phase, and then open up two years later as a Sofitel. The brands want to enforce consistency, but often they don't hold the real power--they're bidding on a contract against their competitors.

Return to » Hotel Brands Striving for Consistency and Flat-Screen TVs

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