End of midweek refresh at SVR?

[jabberwocky]

Yesterday I received an email from SVR titled “Sheraton Vistana Resort Newsletter”. Most of the information is fairly standard. I did notice buried in the different items was the following:

Housekeeping – As of August 1, 2024, all additional housekeeping services, including cleanings and additional towels and linens, carry a fee that varies by villa size. For pricing specific to your reservation, please reach out to Guest Services for assistance.

Does anyone want to venture a guess as to whether they are bringing in Marriott housekeeping standards in at SVR and eliminating the midweek tidy?

 

[Hindsite]

Does anyone want to venture a guess as to whether they are bringing in Marriott housekeeping standards in at SVR and eliminating the midweek tidy?

- Owners complain about maint fee increases and they need to be seen to be doing things to keep costs down.
- Not all owners want to pay for other peoples mid-week cleaning as they don't use it themselves.
- Some owners/guests use the services excessively and other people don't want to pay for that. e.g people running rental businesses with several different sets of guests during a week, all requiring linen and towel changes

 

[Ken555]

Some owners/guests use the services excessively and other people don't want to pay for that. e.g people running rental businesses with several different sets of guests during a week, all requiring linen and towel changes

More than a midweek tidy has always had an extra charge.

 

[Hindsite]

More than a midweek tidy has always had an extra charge.

Have they always charged for towel changes?

 

[Ken555]

Have they always charged for towel changes?

No, but I can't remember the last time I needed that…perhaps 10 years ago… your earlier post implied different groups visiting in the same week, which would naturally require a complete cleaning, not just a towel change.

 

[daviator]

- Owners complain about maint fee increases and they need to be seen to be doing things to keep costs down.
- Not all owners want to pay for other peoples mid-week cleaning as they don't use it themselves.
- Some owners/guests use the services excessively and other people don't want to pay for that. e.g people running rental businesses with several different sets of guests during a week, all requiring linen and towel changes

Whether or not you like the midweek tidy, it has always been part of the Vistana product, and removing it essentially diminishes the product which people have paid for. By your logic, they should eliminate the bars because maybe you don’t drink alcohol, and the restaurant because you prefer to cook in your room. Maybe they should rip out the swimming pools if you prefer the ocean.

It doesn’t matter if some folks choose to refuse the midweek tidy. Those folks are indeed helping keep down operating costs as fewer housekeeping hours are required as a result of their decision. That doesn’t give you the right to suggest that a part of the service which is valued by others be removed, simply because it doesn’t have value to you. The assertion that people shouldn’t be able to complain about rising maintenance fees unless they simultaneously accept reductions in service is, with all due respect, ridiculous.

I think they should stop providing hair conditioner in the showers because I don’t use it.

 

[jabberwocky]

Extra cleanings were always charged, but my guess is we won’t see any sort of reduction or slowdown in MF increases. Just lower levels of service than we are accustomed to.

Timeshares have a lot of different things that certain owners don’t take advantage of. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I don’t begrudge the resort putting coffee makers in the units. I never use the phones in the units - yet I’m paying a bunch for that (and they just added new phones in the bedrooms according to same newsletter).

 

[dioxide45]

With all Vistana rooms having in room laundry, I see no need for any kind of towel exchange or fresh towels. We just wash more if we need them.

 

[Hindsite]

Whether or not you like the midweek tidy,

Easy tiger, we were asked for reasons and I gave some that I am aware of, you don't need to agree with them or give me grief because you don't.

 

[Hindsite]

No, but I can't remember the last time I needed that…perhaps 10 years ago… your earlier post implied different groups visiting in the same week, which would naturally require a complete cleaning, not just a towel change.

Yep and you used to be able to ask for additional linen without charge, so you could refresh the unit, without having to pay for housekeeping. Might be a bit niche, but could be an issue, the resort management team would be able to clarify for you.

 

[Ken555]

Yep and you used to be able to ask for additional linen without charge, so you could refresh the unit, without having to pay for housekeeping. Might be a bit niche, but could be an issue, the resort management team would be able to clarify for you.

I've never done that, and what gave you the impression I had a question for the resort management? I suggest you ask and report back here…

 

[Hindsite]

I've never done that, and what gave you the impression I had a question for the resort management? I suggest you ask and report back here…

No problem if you don't want to know.

 

[Red elephant]

With all Vistana rooms having in room laundry, I see no need for any kind of towel exchange or fresh towels. We just wash more if we need them.

In room laundry is amazing. But that’s a choice if you choose to use it. I don’t do house work on vacation or at least don’t want to be forced to do it. That’s why I chose Starwood when I bought. But when I am at a Marriott timeshare I know what to expect and keep moving.

 

[dioxide45]

In room laundry is amazing. But that’s a choice if you choose to use it. I don’t do house work on vacation or at least don’t want to be forced to do it. That’s why I chose Starwood when I bought. But when I am at a Marriott timeshare I know what to expect and keep moving.

But timeshare was never intended to be a full-service vacation experience. Thus why there is a kitchen, laundry, and luggage carts. Unfortunately using the luggage carts yourself isn't always a choice because the carts are held hostage by bell staff that are willing to help for a tip. I guess it also depends on one's definition of housework. Do you not cook at all on vacation? No breakfast? Cooking could be considered housework. If one doesn't do any of that stuff, why not just stay at a hotel with a true full-service experience like a St Regis, Grand Hyatt or JW or Ritz?

I guess it depends on how much not doing housework is worth if the resorts opt to charge for certain services and items. Clean linen and towels carry a cost to the associations. Many resorts, even Marriott has long provided fresh towels and towel exchange. As far as I know they will all still bring fresh towels at no extra charge. You just have to hold on to the soiled ones. I suspect the "runners" that bring fresh towels aren't properly equipped to handle soiled linen.

As the resorts age and the market changes, there is going to be adjustments made to services being offered. I suspect the BOD and management company are under pressure from owners to keep maintenance fees down. Perhaps some adjustments make for only a 2% increase in a line item vs 5%. We always need to analyze what we own to determine if it still makes sense for us.