Rough Ride at the Ritz: Luxury Hotels on Sale

July 15, 2009 — -- Has "luxury" become a dirty word? It sure seems that way -- at least when it comes to luxury hotels.

But maybe free ironing will help.

Face it, the economy and the ensuing clampdown on business travel has hurt a lot of high-end hotels. Some are in trouble, while others are as worried as they could be. As a result, all of them seem to be offering a litany of new perks to lure your business -- like ironing.

Omni Hotels says join our loyalty program and we'll do some of the ironing for you (there goes my excuse for avoiding dress shirts and ties). Karen Crouse, a journalist in New York, says she "loves the idea of waking to a freshly pressed shirt and skirt," but notes the cost of the room trumps all: "The cheaper the better, even if I do have wrinkles in my blouse."

Yes, it's a brave new world for business travelers who used to take high-end amenities for granted, from round-the-clock room service to thick bath towels, thicker robes and that tasty little mint on the pillow. For many, all that good stuff is now off-limits and no wonder: Who wants to be the next poster child for greed?

For more air travel news and insights visit Rick's blog at: farecompare.com

No CEO in his right mind wants to be a viral laughingstock by flying his private jet to a virtual palace. This new corporate cult of anti-consumption is being felt on all levels as cost-cutting bosses tell their road warriors to take it down a notch or two. Good-bye, five-star resorts, hello Motel 6!

Okay, maybe it's not that drastic -- and mind you, there's nothing wrong with a Motel 6 -- but if you're used to the Ritz, anything less is a comedown. As a result, some of the nation's grand old inns are reeling. Not all, of course -- but some are in hellishly deep trouble.