9 Dec 2014

Is re-using your towel at a hotel helpting the planet - or profits?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Many hotels use green energy marketing strategies which are designed to save the environment. Most hotel guests are not interested in the strategies that are used, such as reusing towels. Starwood Hotels has implemented a program that guests find useful which offers discount vouchers to customers who refuse room cleaning, which saves water and energy.

It is a win for the hotel - as they can profit by reduced employee costs. It could be said that it is a win for the environment. But - is it a win for the housekeepers, who have less hours (due to reduced need to clean rooms) with more work (due to more work per room, since the rooms haven't been cleaned for days)?

Roll, roll, roll - your clothes (and other packing tips)

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

When a woman is packing her suitcase, she often runs out of space. This short video offers a wide array of tips to help ease the packing stress. Everything from making a list to rolling your clothes is included. Also, it helpfully reminds women about the TSA’s strict rules about liquids and recommends that she leaves space for souvenirs.

2 Feb 2015

Should we tip hotel housekeepers more - or pay them more?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Marriott is starting a policy of placing envelopes in the Marriott rooms as a reminder to tip the housekeeping staff. The American Hotel & Lodging Association suggests that we tip housekeepers anywhere between $1-5/day for their housekeeping services. However, almost 1/3 of those who stay in a hotel don't leave a tip.

28 Jan 2015

Wow! Virgin Hotels says that WiFi is a right - not a revenue stream

Submitted by Anonymous

At Virgin Hotel Chicago, wireless internet is available to hotel occupants free of charge. Many hotels charge customers for the right to use and access the wireless internet at a hotel. For example, Marriott, a 4-star hotel, can charge over $10/day per device. That means that, if you carry the usual 3 WiFi devices, you can easily be charged over $30/day for WiFi.

27 Jan 2015

Should negative TripAdvisor reviews be banned from the public?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Should our opinions and ratings of businesses be banned from the public? Lets look at Yelp and TripAdvisor. Governor Brown of California recently signed off on a so-called anti-disparagement clause.

26 Jan 2015

How to save money while traveling solo

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Traveling can be costly. In fact, it is the cost that often keeps people from traveling as much as they would like. This is especially true if you are traveling on your own and have no one to split costs with. Yet, there are some simple tips that you can employ to make traveling solo more affordable than you thought it could ever be.