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Hilton quietly revises its Do Not Disturb policy

The movement in the U.S. to revise policies surrounding “Do Not Disturb” signs is gaining momentum as on Wednesday USA Today reported that Hilton has updated its policy, stating that team members should alert security or the duty manager if the sign remains on for more than 24 consecutive hours.

In the past, Hilton might have allowed multiple days to pass before an employee entered a room. But in November, in fact, it revised its internal policy to provide new guidance. At the same time, a Hilton spokesperson said that the change in policy does not mean that a hotel will have someone enter every room every 24 hours.

Hilton hotels will have to notify guests of the policy. In addition, any “Unable to Service” cards or notes employees leave for guests must contain the following language: “We understand and respect your need for privacy. The hotel reserves the right to visually inspect all guest rooms every 24 hours to ensure the well-being of our guests and confirm the condition of the room. If service is refused for this length of time, a member of hotel management will check on the guest room.”

“It’s not a change of policy; it’s more a revision of the timeline,” Hilton spokesperson Nigel Glennie told HOTELS on Wednesday, adding there are no plans to change signage and that control and discretion remains with the property managers. “This policy provides more guidelines and considerations for the staff.”

HOTELS also queried on Wednesday Marriott International about any changes they are considering to its Do Not Disturb policy and a representative said it had nothing to offer at this time.

Just last week, four Walt Disney World resorts in Orlando, Florida, replaced Do Not Disturb signs with “Room Occupied” signs that allows staff to enter at any time after first knocking on the door and identifying themselves.

While both companies said the changes were not made in direct response to the Las Vegas mass shooting in October where a gunman used a room at the Mandalay Bay to fire on a crowd of nearby concertgoers, more hotel companies appear to be revisiting their policies.

Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas, has employed an even more strict policy with room checks after Do Not Disturb signs stay in place more than 12 consecutive hours.

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