Luxury Hotels Lose The Bible

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Nov 18th 2007 at 10:02AM

We've seen a lot of hotel trends over the years, plasma TVs, the rise of free wi-fi, pillow butlers, in-room fitness equipment and all sorts of adjustments as hotels adapt to the greening of America but the latest might just be the disappearance of an old favorite. ABC News has a story on the fact that luxury hotels are ditching the tradition of the Bible tucked in the bedside drawer. According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the number of luxury hotels that stock the Bible and other religious items has dropped 18 percent since 2001. Luxury chains taking part in the trend include Kimpton Hotels, the Borgata in Atlantic City and the Gansevoort Hotel Group. The hotels all offer various religious materials that are available by request.

This trend is on the luxury side. In other motels, hotels and inns, the number of in-room Bibles has increased from 79 percent in 1988 to 95 percent today. In fact, a survey from the American Hotel and Lodging Association reveals that the more you pay for a hotel room the less likely you are to see a Bible. A full 99 percent of economy hotels have a Bible in the room but just 73 percent of luxury hotels provide one. Also Bibles are least likely to be found in urban hotels and resorts and are most often at hotels near interstate highways or at airports.

Tags: bible, luxury hotels, trends

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 45)

Lynn Nov 21st 2007 8:25AM

Wake up America! Our country was founded on God's
principles, removing access is outrageous. Shame on those corporate executives who made this unwise decision. May our prayers for them make a difference!
As for me and mine, we will be spending our money
elsewhere.

sharon Nov 21st 2007 8:32AM

This is really sad ,having worked in an upscale hotel myself for 61/2 years as director of housekeeping. I have never heard of such a pathethic idea! We had a lounge in our hotel but every room had a Bible, many people made the comment that late at night when they were lonely The Bible gave them comfort!!!!!!! Please people do not forget where we came from , and what will happen if we do!!!!!!!!!

Shelly Nov 21st 2007 8:30AM

Did any of you actually read the ABC News article, or did you just jump to a conclusion?? Bibles and other religious materials are still available, but upon request. If you want a bible, ask at the front desk. Same for a phone book. Like everything else nowadays, the bible is not immune from vandals, and it's far better to be able to acquire one with all the pages at the desk than one that's been trashed out of spite.

It's also far better to read the entire story and actually have a working knowledge of the situation before becoming outraged.

dovers25 Dec 6th 2007 7:32PM

first they take them out of the rooms , then what? Next, they remove them altogether, hoping no one will notice.

Devlyn Nov 21st 2007 8:30AM

you people are pathetic you dont need a fairy tale book to be close to god you just have to talk to him besides the fact that many sure dont go to a hotel to read the bible and that many christains go there for sex and not with who they are married to either !!!! now lets be honest it is a sin according to you all to tell a lie although you are all very good at it !

richard Nov 21st 2007 8:36AM

They're replacing it with the Koran.

Judy Nov 21st 2007 10:29AM

When my Mom passed away ,we went back to the hotel and I knew in the draw was a Bible. Jesus who is God speaking to us, to me. I will not patronize a hotel that takes that away from us. I pray for them, but I will not support those hotels.

tom hunter Nov 21st 2007 8:42AM

we are headed to hell

Ron Hale Nov 21st 2007 8:47AM

The Bible is a book of silly mythology. When it comes to worrying about who you are and where you are going after they die, mankind has always remained pagan. Nothing has changed since he/she first evolved. Whether we worship the sun, the moon, or some guy who supposedly rose from the dead, it is all the same. But, hell, doctors have good success prescribing placebos for patients, so if it works for you, fine. As Karl said, "Religion is the opiate of the people."

george Nov 28th 2007 2:04PM

Yeah, and look how well Marxism has worked out!

Etta Nov 21st 2007 8:51AM

The reason the Bible is being taken out of hotel rooms is because all the hotels and convenient marts are being bought up by foreigners; e.g. Muslins. Take a poll of all american owned hotels and you will be hard pressed to find 5 percent owned by an American company or individual. They barely speak or understand English when trying to deal with them.

Reinventedrican Nov 21st 2007 10:08AM

So you mean to tell me while you're on vacation you hypocrites read the bible? get real!!! Im not mocking the bible but if you want to read a bible while on vacation--BRING YOUR OWN!!! Remember the world isn't "CHRISTIAN" and shouldn't have to read the word of what is not their GOD.

Molly Nov 21st 2007 8:53AM

What a load of turkey poo! I bring my own Bible when I want it because I'm used to it. On occasion, we have used the room Bible. It would be a nice courtesy if you could ask for a Bible if you wanted one. I certainly would not stay somewhere else, or penalize an establishment for not having a Bible.

Molly6 Nov 21st 2007 8:55AM

OOOOOOOHHHHHH, the Bible police! I'd love to know how many people really pick up the Bible in their hotel rooms............

d culver Nov 21st 2007 8:59AM

Why would an upscale Hotel want to remove Bibles from the rooms. This makes no sense whatsoever. If the Gideons provide the Bibles what's the reason behind this they don't take up a lot of space and you don't have to read it if you don't want to.

Simeren Nov 21st 2007 9:05AM

I think removing the Bible from the room and having it available upon request speaks to a respect that the (luxury) hotel industry is realizing towards those people of faiths other than Christianity. What about the Buddhists, Jews, Hindus and Muslims of the world? Christianity isn't the largest religious tradition in the world or even this nation, yet people of other faiths are hit in the face with it all day, every day. Stores are closed on Christmas and Easter and there are parades even for St. Patrick's Day, but the same can't be said for Rosh Hashanah, Diwali or Eid. Maybe they're not seeking to make this a Godless world, just one that is more tolerant of the other paths to enlightenment.

Sara Nov 21st 2007 8:59AM

I guess I don't understand all the outrage here. It says the bible is available for anyone who wants one. I imagine the Koran and other religious materials are also available for those who believe differently... which I believe is still our RIGHT in this country! Tolerance of difference is key to peace.

Simeren Nov 21st 2007 9:05AM

Etta,
This country was founded by foreigners and those "foreigners" you are speaking of look a lot more like the natives of this land than I'm betting you do! By the way, the United States does not have an official language and there is no requirement to be able to speak English. In fact, when traveling, I would suspect that Americans know less about the language of whichever country they are visiting than most other nations. How well do you remember the language you took in high school? It's not as simple as saying "learn English!"

Brooke Nov 21st 2007 9:09AM

If you want a bible in your hotel room, bring your own just like you pack the latest best seller when you travel. Or request it from the front desk. Or when you set up your laptop and log onto the internet, which is rapidly becoming the first thing travelers do when they check into their room, read the book online for free. I've never seen a hotel bible that looks like it's been read. Placing these books in the nightstand drawer of every room is a waste of natural resources.

Patricia Nov 21st 2007 9:17AM

This dismays me. These Bibles are provided to the hotels at no expense. What a poor decision. I will, upon reserving, ask if the Bible is still in every room. If the Bible is not welcome, I too, will be unwelcome. One can still find many chains that will still have the Bible in the room. How sad. And, to learn at "Thanksgiving" season, too.

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