, giving customers incentives and finding ways to cut operating costs without compromising the integrity of their posh images . Starwood Hotel & Resorts , which owns the chic W and St Regis hotels , is offering existing and new members of its preferred guest program the opportunity to earn a free weekend night with two stays at any of Starwood 's hotels from May through July . Guests can use their free night through the end of September across Starwood 's brands , including many of the company 's luxury properties . This summer , Rosewood Hotels & Resorts , which operates five-star properties around the world , will offer customers who book particular packages free breakfast and a $ 100 resort credit . Washington 's Willard Intercontinental Hotel is offering a `` buy two nights , get a third night free '' promotion for weekend stays through December . From December to February , occupancy in luxury hotels , a category that includes names such as the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. sunk more than 15 percent -- a steeper drop than at mid-level hotels , according to leading hotel industry watcher Smith Travel
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A year ago , employees at Boiron , a medical manufacturing company , wined and dined at the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort overlooking the picturesque bay in Rose Hall , Jamaica , for their annual retreat . The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa is subtly scaling back amid a sagging economy . This year , employees are saying goodbye to luxury as company President Ludovic Rassat moved the event to a more sensible location : the Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport . Many of his employees who live near the hotel are expected to sleep at home . `` It 's important to see we are making decisions for the good of the company , '' Rassat said . `` At the end of the day , it 's going to be good for them . Their jobs are still going to be there . '' With a mentality like Rassat 's pervading the business and leisure traveler psyche , luxury hotels are bleeding occupancy and revenue at a rate far worse than the travel slump experienced after September 11 , travel experts say . To overcome their financial woes , luxury hotels are dropping rates