As travel returns, hotels use coronavirus excuse to cut costs

Americans are resuming travel just as summer officially begins.

But while airports are seeing their busiest passenger numbers in months, occupancy at some hotels is still low. Meanwhile, other hotels remain closed and may not reopen at all this summer.

Of the hotels open, the post-coronavirus guest experience varies greatly.

Almost all of the big chains tout new protocols to purportedly enhance guest safety. Some of the measures are undoubtedly good. Hotels want guests to believe rooms are cleaner than ever. However, this can amount to nothing more than slick talking points since most chain hotels are franchises.

Over the past several weeks I have stayed at several hotels across the spectrum from upscale resorts to roadside motels. Some were affiliated with chains; others independent.

What I found is a great deal of inconsistency, even at hotels flagged under the same brand. It’s also obvious that some hotel owners and operators are using coronavirus to cut costs.

Long before the pandemic collapsed the travel and hospitality industries the major hotel chains announced they were moving to eliminate single-use toiletries — the little bottles of shampoo, conditioner and so forth — from guest rooms. The switch to wall-mounted dispensers was applauded by virtue signaling…