Pool Towels at Shadow Ridge

[wvacations]

Checked in to Shadow ridge for an owners week. Have not been here in a few years now.

I have mentioned in other post my feelings towards the uncontrolled MF increases, especially the housekeeping and front desk staff, which I feel is due to DC multiple stays in a week.

The resort is as nice as ever and very well maintained.

Learned at check in that there is no longer a mid tidy service, so the room was cleaned when I arrived. I got a list that stated a full cleaning would be charged a fee of $115. My 2016 MF charge for house cleaning is $194 per week (I own 3 weeks here). Now I have always though the 'Housekeeping" items includes both the unit and common areas and perhaps even pool towels.

I was surprised to also learned at check in that there are pool towels in the room. Those towels are the only pool towels you get for the week. It is now my responsibility to wash and dry the pool towels each day! The sheet explaining this says:

"To preserve our natural resources, pool towels will be placed in each villa to use/maintain during your visit. Any additional pools towels needed will incur a $10 charge for a minimum for 4 towels."

I don't understand a 10.6% increase in housekeeping charges from 2015 to 2016 (over 40% increase from 2010 to 2016) and telling me I have to "maintain" my pool towels for the week.

I am all for cutting cost, but to increase cost and cut services, is abuse of Marriott's power.

Other than that, having a great relaxing week. Weather not warm enough to use the pool anyway, so I don't have to "maintain" my pool towels.

Is this becoming common at other resorts? I am in a 2BR this week so at least I have a washer and dryer. Not sure how guest in a studio "maintain" their pool towels.

 

[dioxide45]

"To preserve our natural resources, pool towels will be placed in each villa to use/maintain during your visit. Any additional pools towels needed will incur a $10 charge for a minimum for 4 towels."

This one always gets me. We see it at hotels and on cruise ships. They sell it as helping the environment, but we all know it is just a way to save money. In this case, perhaps it saves money for the HOA, but it sure doesn't look that way the way housekeeping costs are going up.

 

[billymach4]

This one always gets me. We see it at hotels and on cruise ships. They sell it as helping the environment, but we all know it is just a way to save money. In this case, perhaps it saves money for the HOA, but it sure doesn't look that way the way housekeeping costs are going up.

Agree. We are going green, therefore no more clean towels. HeHe.

 

[aka Julie]

Is this becoming common at other resorts? I am in a 2BR this week so at least I have a washer and dryer. Not sure how guest in a studio "maintain" their pool towels.

This has always been the case at the Hilton Head properties that I've been to (own at Barony Beach). We've also stayed at some other locations that had the pool towels in the unit. Can't recall which ones though.

We also own at Shadow Ridge. I agree with you about the out of control MF at Shadow Ridge. Especially considering we pay about another $100 separately for property taxes.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I suggest that you go to the owners meeting and ask that specific question of the GM.