The hospitality industry is seeing significant shifts this week as major players introduce new policies and services. From Airbnb limiting the labor expected of guests to Marriott expanding its footprint in luxury adventure travel, these changes aim to refine the traveler experience during the upcoming holiday season.

What are the new Airbnb checkout rules?

Airbnb has implemented new guidelines to prevent hosts from assigning excessive cleaning tasks to guests. The platform aims to distinguish between basic tidying and professional cleaning duties. Under the new framework, guests are no longer required to perform heavy labor such as:

  • Stripping beds or starting laundry loads
  • Washing and putting away all dishes
  • Transporting trash off-site

However, guests may still be asked to perform reasonable actions. These include placing used dishes in the sink, gathering used towels, and sorting recycling into indoor bins. Hosts can also request that guests turn off amenities like air conditioning before departing. Airbnb noted that excessive demands could negatively impact a host's rating.

How are hotel brands evolving?

Major hotel chains are also pivoting toward specialized services. Marriott’s Luxury Collection has debuted a series of "curated journeys" called The Luxury Collection Expeditions. These trips, which include artist-led tours in Kyoto and classic-car drives through Italy, are designed to connect travelers more deeply with local cultures.

Additionally, Marriott is expanding its presence in Africa with the Mereshi Safari Camp in Tanzania. Opening this November, the camp will feature 18 elevated tented suites in the Serengeti. The project is a significant local undertaking, with 95% of materials and equipment sourced within Tanzania.

Other notable updates include:

  • Hilton: Members can now use points to pay checkout bills via the app, a service expected to reach 6,000 hotels by next year.
  • Hilton for Business: New tools allow companies to manage employee reservations and monitor "duty of care" more effectively.
  • Kimpton: The brand launched "The Curious Palate," a global food and beverage platform featuring unique culinary experiences.

FAQ

Can Airbnb hosts still ask me to clean?

Hosts can request light tasks like gathering towels or putting dishes in the sink, but they cannot mandate heavy chores like laundry or dishwashing.

Can I pay for my hotel stay with points at checkout?

Hilton Honors members can currently do this at 150 properties, with a wider rollout planned for next year.