Ouch! Hyatt Hotel Asks Guests for COVID-19 Financial Help
Hotel chains are hurting for cash, but asking paying guests for financial help is still a bad idea. However, that is exactly what one Hyatt hotel is doing. Motif Seattle is using in-room TV’s to beg for a $25 “one time gift” to help it through the pandemic.
Alex Kremer checked into his room at Motif Seattle and when he turned on his TV he saw a message titled “COVID-19 Support for this hotel.”
“As we all navigate these uncertain times together, please consider giving a one time gift of $25 to this hotel. This hotel will receive 100% of this contribution.” Oh, and tax applies. He shared the image on Twitter.
Things are… Not good here at @Hyatt. Got this when turning on my TV. pic.twitter.com/tYz7EpSCBz
— Alex Kremer (@axk) August 5, 2020
The Motif hotel is part of Hyatt Hotels. A spokesperson for Hyatt said the message is not part of company practice. “As soon as we were made aware of the situation, we immediately investigated with the hotel and its IT provider, and the message was removed from guestroom TVs immediately,” Hyatt said as per SF Gate.
Hyatt is in bad financial shape, judging from its 2nd quarter earnings. They lost $236 million compared to a profit of $86 million in the same quarter of last year and saw revenue decrease by 89.4%.
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Not a good look. Tacky!
This should be on whats wrong with this picture. How can they call it a “gift” and charge tax? Are they just asking people to purchase something (towels maybe) from the hotel and the proceeds will go to the hotel to help them? Just does not make sense if its really a “gift” how are they charging a set price & tax? Although its a low move I can understand why but a true gift/donation they should just ask and let the giver decide how much and no way should it be taxed.
They must have been taking Fodor’s advice, who early in the pandemic, recommended that consumers allow hotels to keep their money and give them additional reservation deposits, regardless of whether the property might stay in business or not.
I’m fine with it as long as they give us discounts if we explain that we’re in bad financial shape. Oh wait….
In all fairness it sounds like this location got an earful.
how are the doing to charge a tax? TACKY
Shameful!