Monday’s post on Marriott taking desks out of what were once business-friendly rooms was more popular than I anticipated. The original post was designed to be lighthearted but I can tell you, there are a lot of travelers out there getting militant about this.
Here’s a discussion on it from Wednesday’s edition of the Wetzel to Forde Daily Podcast. We usually just talk sports, but Forde is also a Marriott Platinum for Life designee. And he was in the Marriott Marquis in New York at the time.
For those missing the point: a hardcore business traveler spends 100 to 200 (or more) nights a year in these rooms. Telling them they can no longer do work in their preferred manner is a massive lifestyle shift. This isn’t a redesign, it’s taking away what they saw as an essential part of the room.
They aren’t going to be fooled by having their bed called “multipurpose” -- now good for sleeping, eating and working. It’s not about how many people do and don’t use the desk. It’s a company running off very valuable customers who are desperate to continue being very valuable customers.
Just telling them to adjust is stupid. There are tons of hotel options out there.
Not sure the Marriott consultants understood that. If they did, that’s a hell of a gamble.
There are a lot of professions out there that can’t just be done on a laptop or smart phone while sitting on a bed or socially in a lobby. I heard from a bunch of them. There was the lawyer who used to regularly stay at the Charlotte hotel but laughed when they suggested he prepare for court the next day without a desk. He hasn’t been back. Others were salesmen who need the desk to sort product. Some liked a real table -- even if it was a desk -- to eat.
Of course, then there was the porn star -- or whatever she is -- who tweeted me this:
https://twitter.com/XAmberMeow/status/674300773426003969
Slate did an article on the situation citing the Tumblr post. It noted that just five years ago consultants told Marriott to design their rooms with improved workspaces. I think that’s when they started putting the good adjustable chairs in. Now workspaces are out.
So apparently we just need to wait for the consultants to change their mind and bill the confused executives again about returning to the classic hotel room. Or at least preserving some.
I’m certainly not going to be the leader of this “movement” but from what I heard the Marriott properties that have undergone the redesign are concerned/rattled by the backlash.
So I’d recommend contacting your hotel directly or the chain because these redesigns are going everywhere soon. Supposedly even some Courtyards, “the hotel designed by and for business travelers.”
https://www.marriott.com/marriott/contact.mi
Other than that, carry on.