J.D. Power and associates’ latest survey shows higher customer satisfaction numbers in four of the six types of hotels.  The online survey questioned 66,000 guests who stayed I the hotels from June 2008 to May 2009.  The four increases in satisfaction were seen in upscale, midscale full service, midscale limited service and economy budget.

The up-tick in customer satisfaction came despite spending cuts by the hotels, as they coped with the linger affects of a tourism downturn.  President of Four Seasons’ Jim FitzGibbon said, “While the current economic situation has caused us to make some changes to our operations, we have made a promise to never compromise our highly personalized, always-consistent service.”

In an eight consecutive year, Mircotel Inns & Suits ranked number one in the economy and budget class.

Embassy suites also won for a third year in a row in the upscale category, while Drury Inn & Suits, won out for midscale limited services.

Topping the list was Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which ranked first in customer satisfaction among luxury hotels, receiving the highest score of any hotel in the category.

The high scores come as the tourism industry is hit hard, with some of the lowest guest numbers in recent history.  Hotel analysts believe that increased customer service seen at hotels is an attempt by hotels to foster customer loyalty among guests.  This tactic may be good for hotels in the long run as price cuts throughout the market will make the industry more competitive.

Thanks to www.usatoday.com for above quotes, for more information visit their website.