A surprise move by a luxury hotel chain in an effort to cut costs.

Many Four Seasons hotels will stop displaying huge vases of fresh flower arrangements in Reception and other public areas.

This is the most difficult operating environment ever for high-end hotels as they seek to generate sufficient revenue to cover debt service and operating expenses.

The moves may seem small—and many guests won’t even notice them—but they are seismic for a brand like Four Seasons, which built its reputation on impeccable service and pioneered labour-intensive perquisites like in-hotel spas and free shoe shines reported the Wall Street Journal

The Four Seasons is smart to cut extras like flowers over staff bonuses because it is service above all else that drives the brand and reputation of its hotels.