Big, rolling housekeeping carts are disappearing from many hotel hallways, say USA Today reports. Instead, the hotels are replacing the cumbersome carts with smaller bags out of necessity, convenience and even appearance.

Among those saying goodbye to the hall-blocking carts: The Staybridge Suites Times Square in New York, The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte and the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel. So are the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott, the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, and the Sofitel in Washington, D.C.

Hotel general managers say there are a number of reasons why smaller is better.
• Hotels don't use duvets and bulky linens anymore, so there's no need for large carts, they say. Plus, storage space is at a premium, and smaller carts don't take up much space.
• The bags are small enough to take into the room and leave the hallways clear and safe. They also don't nick the walls of elevators and corridors like the large carts did.
• But more important, the smaller rolling carts hold fewer items and therefore do not get cluttered, so they offer a better presentation in the eyes of the guests.

In many hotels, linen closets were situated closer to the rooms for easy access, eliminating the need for the larger carts. The housekeeping staff has been more productive with the smaller carts because they can move around more quickly. They're also less prone to injury as the larger carts were heavy to push around.

Experts believe that the smaller carts will also result in less theft. Because fewer items will be stocked on the small carts, guest walking through the halls wont have access to the plethora amenity items or towels traditionally stacked on large carts.

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