Travel journalist Scott Mayerowitz photographed an upscale hotel using ketchup-style squeeze bottles to refill toiletries, raising questions about what guests are actually using in the shower. The bottles bore only generic labels like "Body Wash" rather than identifying the brand inside.
The setup appears to match the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, which supplies Klur toiletries. A September review documents Klur products at that property. However, the refill bottles obscure what brand guests receive, making the hotel look cheap despite selecting a named amenity for bathrooms.
Similar problems have surfaced across hotel chains. Hyatt Regency San Francisco used unbranded squeeze containers in 2025. Hyatt Place Phoenix Mesa displayed condiment-style bottles on housekeeping carts in December. At Hyatt's Wild Palms Hotel in Sunnyvale, California, the bathroom showed Jonathan Adler branding while bulk DRIFT containers supplied the actual products. Management there removed labels from bulk jugs in January while continuing to advertise Jonathan Adler.
At Suining Marriott in China, management acknowledged swapping cheaper FORMETURE products for advertised thisworks amenities to save money. The general manager said the replacement was legitimate, though a guest received 8,000 points as compensation.
Using unlabeled squeeze bottles creates risks. A 2023 German study found bacterial contamination in 70.2% of refillable pump dispensers versus 10.6% of nonrefillable press dispensers. Opened bottles invite tampering. Housekeeping may forget refills entirely, leaving dispensers empty during stays.
Removing branded bottles also eliminates a marketing tool. Taking home a product sample extends the guest experience and can drive future purchases, the way Aesop gained a customer through the Park Hyatt Tokyo.