Upscale hotel goes smoke free

[bimshire]

Ever requested a non-smoking room and got stuck with one that had a smoking occupant previously? It can be a real downer.
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"The new year will ring in the USA's first smoke-free major hotel chain.

Westin Hotels & Resorts will announce today that it is snuffing out smoking in all rooms, restaurants, bars and public areas at its 77 U.S., Canadian and Caribbean properties starting in January. Guests may smoke only on balconies or in other outdoor areas.

The policy reflects "a demand from guests for a smoke-free hotel experience," says Sue Brush, Westin senior vice president. "Nobody likes to walk into a smoky guest room — not even smokers." Westin research shows that 92% of its guests request a non-smoking room.

For a big chain to make such a major policy shift is "very cutting-edge," American Hotel & Lodging Association President Joseph McInerney said in a statement. "The industry is sure to take notice."

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-12-04-westin-smoking-ban_x.htm

 

[JennyMominRI]

Ever requested a non-smoking room and got stuck with one that had a smoking occupant previously? It can be a real downer.
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"The new year will ring in the USA's first smoke-free major hotel chain.

Westin Hotels & Resorts will announce today that it is snuffing out smoking in all rooms, restaurants, bars and public areas at its 77 U.S., Canadian and Caribbean properties starting in January. Guests may smoke only on balconies or in other outdoor areas.

The policy reflects "a demand from guests for a smoke-free hotel experience," says Sue Brush, Westin senior vice president. "Nobody likes to walk into a smoky guest room — not even smokers." Westin research shows that 92% of its guests request a non-smoking room.

For a big chain to make such a major policy shift is "very cutting-edge," American Hotel & Lodging Association President Joseph McInerney said in a statement. "The industry is sure to take notice."

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-12-04-westin-smoking-ban_x.htm

The Swan is a Westin

 

[KathyTX]

Yep, both the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels are Westins.

(Love, love, LOVE those Heavenly Beds!!! )

 

[crz4mm2]

dbl post

 

[crz4mm2]

How long do you suppose it will be before someone smokes in the room just because they can????? Drives me nuts when people smoke where they are not supposed to.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Yep, both the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels are Westins.

(Love, love, LOVE those Heavenly Beds!!! )

Kathy...I thought one of them was a Sheraton, the other a Westin. (yes both owned by Sheraton)

The article says that only Westins are doing it for now, not Sheratons.

We just stayed at the Westin Maui and ALL the rooms were NonSmoking but no the entire hotel. Very nice !!!

 

[KathyTX]

Kathy...I thought one of them was a Sheraton, the other a Westin. (yes both owned by Sheraton)

You know, I think you're right! Both owned by Starwood, the Swan's actually a Westin and the Dolphin's a Sheraton.

They're so intertwined that it's easy for me to forget that they're run as separate properties.

I was enjoying that Heavenly Bed just two days ago, and I'm missing it already.

 

[drakethib]

Ever requested a non-smoking room and got stuck with one that had a smoking occupant previously? It can be a real downer.
************************

"The new year will ring in the USA's first smoke-free major hotel chain.

Westin Hotels & Resorts will announce today that it is snuffing out smoking in all rooms, restaurants, bars and public areas at its 77 U.S., Canadian and Caribbean properties starting in January. Guests may smoke only on balconies or in other outdoor areas.

The policy reflects "a demand from guests for a smoke-free hotel experience," says Sue Brush, Westin senior vice president. "Nobody likes to walk into a smoky guest room — not even smokers." Westin research shows that 92% of its guests request a non-smoking room.

For a big chain to make such a major policy shift is "very cutting-edge," American Hotel & Lodging Association President Joseph McInerney said in a statement. "The industry is sure to take notice."

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-12-04-westin-smoking-ban_x.htm

Sweet.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

actually I don't believe this is going to apply to the Dolphin, I just tried to make a smoking reservation for February and it gave me a room

 

[OhMari]

I was in a smoke-free upscale hotel in Appleton WI and I had to sign a statement that said if we smoked in the room, we would be charged $200 extra for the cleaning of the room.

We encountered the same thing at Mackinaw Island this summer. Almost all the hotels there are smoke-free too.

 

[ducklite]

My guess is that if this is successful for them over time they will phase it into all their domestic properties. They'll enjoy lower housekeeping and maintenance costs, and possibly lower insurance costs. Hopefully they'll pass any savings on to the guests

Anne

 

[staci]

I think this is great. Smoke has a horrible affect on my dad's asthma. He has so many problems breathing that mom is always concerned that there will be a problem with the reservation request for nonsmoking and that he will get a smoking room. This way, even if someone does smoking in the nonsmoking room, there should be at least one other room in the whole hotel that he can be moved to since the WHOLE hotel would be nonsmoking.

While I know that they may lose some business from smoking individuals, I think they will make up for it with families like mine, who will be more likely to stay in their chain over another one that allows smoking.

 

[Planogirl]

My guess is that if this is successful for them over time they will phase it into all their domestic properties. They'll enjoy lower housekeeping and maintenance costs, and possibly lower insurance costs. Hopefully they'll pass any savings on to the guests

Anne

I wouldn't bet on it. I imagine that they will simply pocket any savings.

As for smoking versus nonsmoking, I think it's fine. But smoking doesn't bother me so I may just find availability at those that continue to allow it!

 

[aprilgail2]

Awesome!!! I hope more hotels follow along with this too!!