So, about those Marriott in-shower dispensers… I don’t think they’re being used quite the way we thought they would be. In fact, I don’t think those large bottles are reused at all.
I know many were up in arms over Marriott’s decision to switch from the small bottles of toiletries we could take to in-shower dispensers. Some of the arguments were related to not being able to keep unused product. Others, though, were (rightfully) concerned about sanitation and safety.
Honestly, I think the dispensers are a little tacky. Heck, I thought it was ghetto as hell the first time I saw an in-shower dispenser back in 1999 in a hotel in Europe. Especially since that single dispenser held one liquid that was labeled as both body wash and shampoo. But Marriott’s version is much better, using Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree line of products, which is what I use at home. It wasn’t until very recently, though, that I encountered the new toiletries.
First Contact
Earlier this month, I was in the Pacific Northwest playing tour guide for my grandparents. And since I was doing the hotel arrangements, we, naturally, stayed in Marriott hotels. It was at the Residence Inn Portland Downtown/Pearl District, though, that I first encountered the in-shower dispensers. Only, our shampoo was empty on arrival.
Refill or Replace?
We mentioned this to the front desk as we headed out of our room for the day, which they promptly took care of. So later that day, we returned to our room with a full shampoo dispenser. But, housekeeping also left us an extra dispenser bottle of conditioner. Naturally, that left me thinking, is Marriott refilling empty dispenser bottles or replacing them?
My Theory on the In-Shower Dispensers
Given that housekeeping left us a new bottle of conditioner, I’m guessing that Marriott replaces the bottles when empty. The fact that the new shampoo bottle was drier than the other bottles supports this theory too. Of course, my theory is just that, a guess. But, the installation is far less permanent than, say, the soap dispensers Disney uses at Aulani’s Laniwai Spa.
About Those Marriott In-Shower Dispensers, Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I don’t find the in-shower dispensers that off-putting. But, I usually bring my own toiletries anyway. Well, I may start using the hotel’s stuff if they have the dispensers now since it’s what I use anyway. And, yeah, if my theory is right, those dispenser bottles don’t spend a lot of time in the shower at all. That’s good news for those worried about tampering or hygiene. But, at the same time, it kind of calls Marriott’s whole environmental impact spew into question. Yeah, using these larger bottle that you replace less often helps, but not as much as longer term solutions.
What do you guys think?