Someone Charged $250 for Smoking in Room

[iloveboardwalk]

I would think hotels would have a problem proving their case, if someone pressed it. "The maid smelled cigarette smoke" would not sway me if I had to make a decision as a judge or juror.

 

[RadioNate]

I worked at a hotel briefly in college, 10 years ago. We charged a smoking fee if someone smoked in the non-smoking rooms. It was disclosed on the check in paperwork and on cards in the room. There was also the no-smoking plaque on the room door and the fact that there are no ashtrays should also give it away.

We did FAR more cleaning on a non-smoking room that had been smoked in. It wasn't too bad if it was 1 cigarette but normally that wasn't the case. People figure if they were going to get the fine anyway that they will go all out.

In many cases we needed all the upholstry cleaned (our rooms had pull out couches) as well as steam cleaning the carpet. We also used a special machine to help filter the air (something w/ion in it, I don't remember) that had to run at least 24 hours in the room. All these steps left the room unavailable for rent for at least a day or more.

We almost always pushed the fee. I only remember once or twice having it reversed. The other problem we had is that many times we didn't know about the smoking until the guest had checked out and the maids went in. I know there was something in our checkout paperwork about this also so we could authoirze the charge after the guest had check out.

 

[ducklite]

A resort that DH and I visit annually has a very limited number of smoking rooms, they are the older rooms int he least deirable part of the hotel, and account for about 2% of the rooms there.

The rest of the resort, including balconies is smoke free.

Anyone who smokes in their room outside of the five available smoking rooms will not only be assessed a $500 cleaning fee, they will be asked to leave immediately, and no refund of unused nights will be given. It's on the paperwork sent to you with your confirmation and on the registration slip, as well as the information book in the room. I know of at least one case where they tossed a couple paying $600+ a night for a suite who were on the second day of a five night stay. That's a lot to lose for a cigarette.

Anne

 

[Anewman]

I would think hotels would have a problem proving their case, if someone pressed it. "The maid smelled cigarette smoke" would not sway me if I had to make a decision as a judge or juror.

Well if somebody is going to knowingly smoke in a NON-smoking room, I guess they would not have an issue lying and fighting the charge.

But my guess it that it never go as far as a court room unless some smoker wanted to make a statement. In all examples of false charges I have heard, the hotel has reversed the charge without a fight.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I had to book hotel rooms on priceline a couple of weeks ago for our Girl Scout troop--the moms were all on a budget, so I thought it would be the best way to get into a decent hotel.

We were assigned a smoking room and were told that they would go and deoderize the room. By the next morning, one of the moms had a full-blown asthma attack requiring oxygen.

You can't tell me that cost $10.

My pillow was ruined as well. No amount of washing takes the smoke out.

 

[Straitlover]

I stayed at a Fairfield Inn in Williamsburg Va 6/23-25. It is now 100% non-smoking. There was a sticker on the little envelope that the card keys were in stating that they would charge a $250 fee if you smoked in the room. Don't know if there was anything on the check-in sheet. I booked thorugh Priceline, so i didn;t ahve to sign anything, nor did I get a separate receipt.

 

[ConcKahuna]

We also used a special machine to help filter the air (something w/ion in it, I don't remember) that had to run at least 24 hours in the room. All these steps left the room unavailable for rent for at least a day or more.

It's an ionizer. They tend to be big, bulky and heavy, and the poor housekeepers have to drag it up to the room (or the houseman). It's a sllooowww process, and if it's not run for 24 hours and someone with allergies is checked into the room, they will most likely still be effected.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

One question...why would a SMOKER stay in a NON-SMOKING room/hotel if smoking rooms/hotel are available? That just adds to the rudness of smokers... Why not find a hotel that accomodates smokers?

 

[momof2inPA]

OP here.

We had to sign acknowledgement of the smoking policy at check-in, and it was posted everywhere-- elevators, front desk, all entries, rooms, etc. It was a brand new hotel, so I'm sure they were being particular.

 

[RitaZ.]

We stayed at a Marriott hotel recently and as soon as we walked in our room, we could smell cigarette smoke. DH called the front desk immediately and we were switched to another room within minutes. I don't think that smokers realize how noticeable the odor is to those that don't smoke.

I'm glad that the no-smoking policy is being enforced at some hotels.

 

[dogsmom]

to nonsmoking policies!!!

 

[Tiffer]

I worked at a hotel briefly in college, 10 years ago. We charged a smoking fee if someone smoked in the non-smoking rooms. It was disclosed on the check in paperwork and on cards in the room. There was also the no-smoking plaque on the room door and the fact that there are no ashtrays should also give it away.

We did FAR more cleaning on a non-smoking room that had been smoked in. It wasn't too bad if it was 1 cigarette but normally that wasn't the case. People figure if they were going to get the fine anyway that they will go all out.

In many cases we needed all the upholstry cleaned (our rooms had pull out couches) as well as steam cleaning the carpet. We also used a special machine to help filter the air (something w/ion in it, I don't remember) that had to run at least 24 hours in the room. All these steps left the room unavailable for rent for at least a day or more.

We almost always pushed the fee. I only remember once or twice having it reversed. The other problem we had is that many times we didn't know about the smoking until the guest had checked out and the maids went in. I know there was something in our checkout paperwork about this also so we could authoirze the charge after the guest had check out.

A resort that DH and I visit annually has a very limited number of smoking rooms, they are the older rooms int he least deirable part of the hotel, and account for about 2% of the rooms there.

The rest of the resort, including balconies is smoke free.

Anyone who smokes in their room outside of the five available smoking rooms will not only be assessed a $500 cleaning fee, they will be asked to leave immediately, and no refund of unused nights will be given. It's on the paperwork sent to you with your confirmation and on the registration slip, as well as the information book in the room. I know of at least one case where they tossed a couple paying $600+ a night for a suite who were on the second day of a five night stay. That's a lot to lose for a cigarette.

Anne

In both instances it was on the check in paperwork.

Although I don't believe that people should smoke in non-smoking rooms, I think people should have to sign the contract (check in material) and agree to the terms. It will make the hotel's life much easier in the long run enforcing the charge.

I had to book hotel rooms on priceline a couple of weeks ago for our Girl Scout troop--the moms were all on a budget, so I thought it would be the best way to get into a decent hotel.

We were assigned a smoking room and were told that they would go and deoderize the room. By the next morning, one of the moms had a full-blown asthma attack requiring oxygen.

You can't tell me that cost $10.

My pillow was ruined as well. No amount of washing takes the smoke out.

But the asthma attack is different. The hotel then shares in the responsiblity of not cleaning it properly prior to the asthma sufferor's check in. And did that asthma sufferor make her allergy known to the hotel prior to check in.

Trust me that those are mitgating factors.

 

[ducklite]

But the asthma attack is different. The hotel then shares in the responsiblity of not cleaning it properly prior to the asthma sufferor's check in. And did that asthma sufferor make her allergy known to the hotel prior to check in.

Trust me that those are mitgating factors.

I always tell the hotel about my asthma and allergies (feathers and down are one of them) when I book, and again when I check-in. I've found that about half the time it makes a difference, half the time it falls on deaf ears. I'm doing my part, it's a shame that some hotel operators are ignorant enough to not do theirs. When I book a non-smoking room, I expect that it is truly non-smoking. And won't accept a room that's been smoked in. That's the hoteliers problem, not mine.

Anne

 

[Tiffer]

I always tell the hotel about my asthma and allergies (feathers and down are one of them) when I book, and again when I check-in. I've found that about half the time it makes a difference, half the time it falls on deaf ears. I'm doing my part, it's a shame that some hotel operators are ignorant enough to not do theirs. When I book a non-smoking room, I expect that it is truly non-smoking. And won't accept a room that's been smoked in. That's the hoteliers problem, not mine.

Anne

Same here, for DD.