Amen to Amenities

For hotel guests, the little things that have gone missing can feel like a big deal

- By Ramsey Qubein

Will our favorite hotel amenities disappear? COVID-19 has dramatically changed our lives in major ways. In travel, there are plenty of minor adjustments, too. At the beginning of the pandemic, people accepted hotel service cutbacks to minimize touchpoints and interactions. As we learn more about how to interact with others safely, many hoteliers cling to those original (cost-saving) ideas as they fight to remain viable businesses. Others are getting creative about how they maintain safe, but high, standards to impress cautious travelers in 2021. A balanced approach somewhere in between may help to keep future travelers (and hotel accountants) happy

FREE BREAKFAST

Many hotels offered complimentary breakfast as part of their brand standard, which people may factor into the value proposition of where to stay. In many economy and midscale hotels, COVID-19 has led to a reduced offering, often a grab-and-go bag with uninspired packaged items. Other hotels nixed it altogether without lowering the rate.