Someone Charged $250 for Smoking in Room

[momof2inPA]

On our way back from Disney, we stopped at a Holiday Inn in Tallahassee. When checking out, there was another couple there being charged $250 for smoking in the room. The desk person said the room smelled of smoke and there was a cigarette package in the garbage. The husband was irate and the police were being called, but the wife admitted to doing it. There were signs about it being a non-smoking hotel in the room, so I guess it was fair. It was just interesting to see the new rules enforced for the first time.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

On our way back from Disney, we stopped at a Holiday Inn in Tallahassee. When checking out, there was another couple there being charged $250 for smoking in the room. The desk person said the room smelled of smoke and there was a cigarette package in the garbage. The husband was irate and the police were being called, but the wife admitted to doing it. There were signs about it being a non-smoking hotel in the room, so I guess it was fair. It was just interesting to see the new rules enforced for the first time.

I hope more hotels follow their lead. I hate when people smoke in a non-smoking room.

 

[mickeysaver]

Good for the hotel! If you book a room in a non-smoking hotel, you should not smoke in the hotel. I am sure this thread will be locked soon for what I imagine will turn into a debate, but I have to back the hotel on this one. If the hotel caught then and the wife admitted to breaking the rules, there should be no anger at the hotel. It's their penalty to pay.

As an asthmatic, I depend on the hotels that we stay in to keep our rooms smoke free. Maggie

 

[escape]

I can certainly understand being charged if they knew about the penalty beforehand. When you register, is there a clause on the sheet that you sign stating that you will be charged? I don't remember seeing anything like this when I've checked into hotels recently.

ETA: I also don't smoke so maybe it's something I don't pay attention to.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

we were at a Marriott Resort last weekend and I signed nothing when I checked in, however, in the room was a small table tent that said something like "no smoking. if you smoke, you will be assessed a cleaning charge". No mention of the amount.

 

[DawnCt1]

I don't have a problem with a charge, but the amount should be disclosed at check in. If it is not well "advertized", one could surmise that it is a revenue enhancer for the hotel. I have seen how they clean extra following smokers. We got a non smoking room that someone had smoked in at the Hilton Waikaloa one year. They strip the bedding, INCLUDING the comforter. They should do that anyway. They vacuum the drapes, they change the air filter for the AC, (less than $10). I don't think that the cost equals the charge.

 

[autumnbaby9]

I don't have a problem with a charge, but the amount should be disclosed at check in. If it is not well "advertized", one could surmise that it is a revenue enhancer for the hotel. I have seen how they clean extra following smokers. We got a non smoking room that someone had smoked in at the Hilton Waikaloa one year. They strip the bedding, INCLUDING the comforter. They should do that anyway. They vacuum the drapes, they change the air filter for the AC, (less than $10). I don't think that the cost equals the charge.

I think they were trying to come up with a number that would deter(SP?) possible smokers from doing it. Not trying to match what it cost to clean the room.

Every hotel I have stayed in, which is only about 1 a year, have been very up front about you being charged and how much they will charge you. I even had to sign a form saying they could charge my CC if I smoked. It has always been $250 at the hotels I have stayed at.

 

[wvjules]

I was charged $282.90 for smoking in a Marriott back in December. ($250 plus taxes and fees.) I wasn't notified when I checked out. It showed up on my corporate paid AmEx bill a week later.

Yes I did smoke in there. It was the morning I was leaving for the airport and didn't have time to go outside so I did it while i was putting on make-up. I was in the bathroom with the door shut and the fan on. OH well...live and learn. It was the most expensive cigarette I ever smoked. (I quit soon after.)

 

[GeorgeG]

I truly believe most smokers do not smell the stink they leave behind because they have become so used to it. At least some others can be arrogant about their "right" to smoke and that either the rules are just there for show and won't be enforced or do not apply to them.

Years ago, nobody ever noticed or paid attention because smoking was so common that everyone smelled the same... stinky. Now that we're used to knowing what fresh air smells like even the slightest hint of smoke residue is instantly noticable. Even when a considerate smoker comes back inside from smoking, the stink can be overwhelming.

I don't know why hotels and other establishments are so vague about their rules and fines. Perhaps that sends the message to some that they really don't mean it. The only way to drive the message home is to keep charging the fees. I agree with the amount of the fees because I know enough smokesuckers who will pay a smaller fee just to be able to smoke in their room.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

I truly believe most smokers do not smell the stink they leave behind because they have become so used to it. At least some others can be arrogant about their "right" to smoke and that either the rules are just there for show and won't be enforced or do not apply to them.

That's so true and my husband, who quit smoking almost four years ago, now believes me. He thought that if he smoked in his truck and rolled down the windows, the smell would not permeate the upholstery. And he wouldn't believe that he still smelled of smoke even after he brushed his teeth and showered. I never complained because after all, I knew hes smoked when I married him but he'd try very hard to come across as a non-smoker to people and it just wasn't happening.

Now that he's a non-smoker, he knows differently!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I stayed at a Hyatt last week and there is a sign on the desk in the room that states it's a nonsmoking room and you will be charged a $250 cleaning fee if the room is smoked in.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I don't have a problem with a charge, but the amount should be disclosed at check in. If it is not well "advertized", one could surmise that it is a revenue enhancer for the hotel. I have seen how they clean extra following smokers. We got a non smoking room that someone had smoked in at the Hilton Waikaloa one year. They strip the bedding, INCLUDING the comforter. They should do that anyway. They vacuum the drapes, they change the air filter for the AC, (less than $10). I don't think that the cost equals the charge.

I know the Disney check-in cards say if you smoke you could be chardge $250-$500 dollars.

I have no clue if other resorts do this, but it's a good idea on the part of the hotel.

 

[rkrivas]

I was recently assessed the fee when I stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn. I only noticed it because I reviewed my credit card bill and saw a charge for $150 (which was more than the actual hotel charge!). When I questionned the charge and found out it was for smoking, I fought it because I don't smoke (and my kids have yet to pick up the habit!). Fortunately, they did reverse the charge.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

On our way back from Disney, we stopped at a Holiday Inn in Tallahassee. When checking out, there was another couple there being charged $250 for smoking in the room. The desk person said the room smelled of smoke and there was a cigarette package in the garbage. The husband was irate and the police were being called, but the wife admitted to doing it. There were signs about it being a non-smoking hotel in the room, so I guess it was fair. It was just interesting to see the new rules enforced for the first time.

I have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express in Arizona. At that hotel, you do have to sign the policy sheet.

 

[ckay87]

I was charged $282.90 for smoking in a Marriott back in December. ($250 plus taxes and fees.) I wasn't notified when I checked out. It showed up on my corporate paid AmEx bill a week later.

Yes I did smoke in there. It was the morning I was leaving for the airport and didn't have time to go outside so I did it while i was putting on make-up. I was in the bathroom with the door shut and the fan on. OH well...live and learn. It was the most expensive cigarette I ever smoked. (I quit soon after.)

Wow, I just wanted to say that you are very brave for admitting that on THIS board!

But nice of you to fess up and pay it.

Oh and congrats on the quit! You probably don't get that often enough. Quite an accomplishment.

 

[Tiffer]

On our way back from Disney, we stopped at a Holiday Inn in Tallahassee. When checking out, there was another couple there being charged $250 for smoking in the room. The desk person said the room smelled of smoke and there was a cigarette package in the garbage. The husband was irate and the police were being called, but the wife admitted to doing it. There were signs about it being a non-smoking hotel in the room, so I guess it was fair. It was just interesting to see the new rules enforced for the first time.

Bravo! I think the hotel is great!

The only problem I see, is that they should have it in the registration card that is signed on check in that, "if you smoke in a non-smoking room, you will be charged $250".

I would think the customer needs notice of the penalty, in additon to the no-smokin signs.

 

[Anewman]

I don't have a problem with a charge, but the amount should be disclosed at check in.

Well i agree it would be nice but it maybe covered by the check in agreement anyways. I mean they dont make you sign off on each individual item in case you damage/break something in the room(IE TV, Window, Table, etc...), so smoke damage is just that DAMAGE and the renter is liable for that period.

I have seen how they clean extra following smokers. We got a non smoking room that someone had smoked in at the Hilton Waikaloa one year. They strip the bedding, INCLUDING the comforter. They should do that anyway. They vacuum the drapes, they change the air filter for the AC, (less than $10). I don't think that the cost equals the charge.

But what you dont see is the amount of money it costs afterwards, just imagine how much it costs to have a family check into a room that even after the cleanup still smells like smoke, and then demand to move into another room.
I imagine that in the long run they would much rather nobody smokes in the rooms, regardless of being able to fine them $250.

 

[disykat]

I think the cost is fair. The hotel probably loses actually. We stayed in a room once that stunk. They had no other rooms to give us and came into the room and agreed it smelled very badly of smoke. They comped us the room - that's right, there was no charge for our hotel stay! If they can't get the room to smell better, they can't rent the room.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think it is a fair charge. At some hotels I stay in, the signs are on the tables and near the TV in each room, usually where one would find an ashtray.

I think some hotels can step it up a bit and list it at the front desk somehow as well, AND list it on the website. I think a lot of hotels sometimes need to look at things from their guests' point of view.

Here's my beef with a hotel we will never stay in again: Palm Springs, it is Spring. We book a room in a hotel over a a holiday weekend. It's not the best hotel, but it had a vacancy. We check in, go to the room, it's warm...and turn on the A/C. Hot air comes out. We go down to the front desk and find out that they don't have A/C available to guests unless the median outside temperature is over 83 degrees.

We asked where were we to find this important information...well, it wasn't on the website where we booked the room, but it was listed on a framed piece of paper at the front desk, behind the other framed pieces of paper listing tourist-like information. Never again will we stay there and we let the manager know.

 

[Tiffer]

Well i agree it would be nice but it maybe covered by the check in agreement anyways. I mean they dont make you sign off on each individual item in case you damage/break something in the room(IE TV, Window, Table, etc...), so smoke damage is just that DAMAGE and the renter is liable for that period.



But what you dont see is the amount of money it costs afterwards, just imagine how much it costs to have a family check into a room that even after the cleanup still smells like smoke, and then demand to move into another room.
I imagine that in the long run they would much rather nobody smokes in the rooms, regardless of being able to fine them $250.

You are right, except smoke damage is not traditionally viewed as "property damage" like breaking someone's television.

Of course their are costs associated with the cleanup. But my mom was a hotel GM for years and years. They clean the rooms after each guest anyway and usually all they do is spray a special aeorosol to "clean" the smoke from the room.

They usually don't shampoo, unless it is really bad and shampoo regularly anyway.

So the actual cost of "cleaning" up the smoke, is minimal.

But, see above post for my opinion on the charge itself.