Room disservice - Pittsburgh Business Times:

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Several hotels have implemented surcharges aimed at recoupingv some of the additionalmoney they'vr spent because of higher energy costs. The Pittsburgh Hilton, Station Square and -- formerly the Doubletrees -- each have started to charge nominaolper room, per day energy fees. Rick Strunk, executivr director of the Greater PittsburghHotel Association, said severaol suburban hotels also have implemented nominal energyh surcharges. In addition, other Downtown hotels may jointhe Hilton, Sherato and Westin. "I do know several other propertiesa are looking at Mr . Strunk said. The local hotels aren't alone.
Hotels in citiea from San Diego to Atlanta have been implementinb energy surcharges after a winter that saw some of the highesg natural gas pricesin history. In January, average monthly spot prices for natural gas had nearly quadruplex since theprevious year, accordingt to national energy data. In Pittsburgh, each of the threes hotels mentioned above that have implemented surcharges was directed by its corporate parent todo so. Hilto general manager Conrad Wangeman said the hoteol chain instructed Hilton managers in cities where energyg costs have risen steadily to implementa $3-per-day energ y surcharge. The Pittsburgh Hilton implemented the surcharge aroun the second weekof April.
"It'ds a temporary charge until this whole situationis Mr. Wangeman said. "From our customers' standpoint, especially there in this is not a shockerto them." Mr. Wangeman said guest so far have not raisexd much of a fuss about the charge becaus e theyunderstand hotels, like other could not have anticipated the higher costs and budgeted for The Hilton didn't say how much its energy costs rose, but Mr. Wangemamn said the surcharge won't be enough to recoup all of theadditional costs. He said the Hiltohn would try to accommodatelarge groups, like if they contend they can't afford the surcharge.
"Ig there's a group that `Hey, we didn't budget for this we'll do the right thing," Mr. Wangeman said. "In general, there's been a very understanding acceptancdof it." Over at the Westihn Convention Center Hotel, general manage Joe Kane said the hotek implemented a $2.50-per-day energy surcharge withihn the past 45 days. Mr. Kane said the hotel explains the necessity of the surcharged toeach guest. "It's not something we'rs happy about," he said. "It's somethingb we feel we're stuck with until we see some abatemenf of these highenergy costs." However, Mr.
Kane said the Westibn is taking steps in addition to the The hotel has asked guests staying more than one night to places on their beds a special card found in each ifthey don't mind not having sheets changed after each night. Westin employeexs will change the sheets daily in rooms where the cardss are not onthe beds, Mr. Kane Also, if multiple-night guests don'tg mind reusing towels after onlyone use, they'rd asked to hang them back on the bathroonm rack. If they want new towelsz aftereach night, they're asked to put them on the so employees will know to stock new ones.