Springdale Holiday Inn Introduces Energy Charge
by June 25, 2001 12:00 am 69 views
Kevin Smith, general manager of Springdale’s Holiday Inn of Northwest Arkansas and Convention Center, said his business began adding an “energy surcharge” to guests’ bills on March 18. The $2.50 flat fee came in response to a 60 percent increase in the hotel’s heating, cooling and lighting bills compared to the first quarter of 2000.
“We decided to add an energy fee instead of raising rates,” Smith said. “We hope it’s a solution to a short-term problem. We wanted to offset our energy costs without permanently raising rates.”
Smith said guests have responded “pretty favorably so far.” He said in addition to Holiday Inns, other chains that are instituting energy fees include Hilton and Sheraton.
Guests are notified of the fee at the time reservations are made, verbally at the time of check-in and via a sign at the hotel desk.