Westin goes smoke-free

[Hummer2]

Westin is making all of their hotels smoke-free. We need DVC to do the same.

 

[JerJan]

I saw that in the news yesterday! All I can say is if I'm looking to stay ay a hotel anywhere other than Disney "I will DEFINITELY book at WESTIN now!"

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yes, I would also like to see DVC (and all Disney resorts for that matter) go non smoking.

I think it's only a matter of time...

MG

 

[Duckieluckey]

Westin is making all of their hotels smoke-free. We need DVC to do the same.

Perhaps DVC could put all of the smoking rooms in one building.

 

[floridafam]

We well be staying at more Westin hotels from now on.

 

[mom2alix]

All the change does... is lead to smokers smoking in "smoke free" rooms. Trust me I travel with smokers and .....

But don't you think a $200 cleaning fee might provide a deterant?

At least the fee will help offset the extra work Housekeeping will need to do to get the smoke out of the room.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think the next DVC built should be a completely smoke free DVC. That way they can sell it as such and advertise to nonsmokers. At least that way for those that are severly impacted by smoke will have a place to stay where that is not a worry and smokers will have plenty of options as well.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The only way the fine for smoking in the room will work is if there is a smoke detector that reports it and not just housekeeping staff.

 

[manning]

DVC should contact Westin and Marriott and find out how they police it and then put the same procedures into use.

 

[LisaS]

When I read the article regarind Westin, it said smoking only in designated outdoor areas which sounded to me like they were going to have a butt-hut or two for the smokers and that would be it.

This article in USA Today mentions guests will be allowed to smoke on the balcony: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-12-04-westin-smoking-ban_x.htm

It states: "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."

Another article about Westin's new policy mentioned smoking would be banned at the pools as well which is something I wish the WDW resorts would do.

 

[floridafam]

Why wouldn't they include the balconies?

 

[Rence]

It states: "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."

Thanks for the clarification, I went back and hunted down the article that I had read and it was not clear on that point, it made it sound like smoking only in one or two designated spots. This artlce was a lot more in-depth.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

DVC should contact Westin and Marriott and find out how they police it and then put the same procedures into use.

Or just talk with the good folks over at Disneyland.
We just booked the Grand Californian for next August, and we asked for a non smoking room. We were told "Oh don't worry about that. The entire hotel is non smoking."

Is this a law in California, or is it just Disney's policy? If it's the law, it will be interesting if they build a DVC at Disneyland.

MG

 

[dspk]

I would love to see all Disney resorts become non smoking but I think we are a few years away from that. International visitors make up a large portion of Disney visitors and tend to smoke more then Americans.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I can't understand why Disney is so behind the times in the smoking issue. It is becoming PC to have all areas non-smoking. Second hand smoke is a proven cacinogen! Get with the program, DVC!!! As an asthmatic, I would love to see offenders charged $200 or more for smoking in the room, but I want more than a housekeepers word for it. I'd want a smoke detector like they have in airplane bathrooms.

 

[FLYNZ4]

I think that it is only a matter of time before DVC goes 100% non-smoking. I agree that they are behind on this policy.

/Jim

 

[JimC]

Are the Swan and Dolphin Westin hotels? I think it will be very interesting to see how this works out. Also, does anyone know if smoking will be allowed on balconies? I was at BCV last week, and 2 people were smoking on the balcony of the non-smoking room below me. Believe me, I didn't enjoy the "sweet" aroma of cigarette smoke as I was sitting outside.

Yes, they are Westin resorts and both have been fully renovated to Westin's standards.

We have had this problem on the balcony as well and it is allowed.

 

[JimC]

I think that it is only a matter of time before DVC goes 100% non-smoking. I agree that they are behind on this policy.

/Jim

Agree as well. Hopefully the state will go the next step and eliminate all indoor smoking in public establishments.

 

[FLYNZ4]

Washington State just passed a law that went into effect today. As I understand it...

No smoking in any public building, restaurant, bar, etc.... or within 25' of such properties. It is on the news tonight... with pictures of people protesting in the center of the roads... stating it is the only place that they can smoke with the new laws. That action goes a long way demonstrating an immature attitude... and will only further polarize the public sentiment against them.

/Jim

 

[Sammie]

All the change does... is lead to smokers smoking in "smoke free" rooms. Trust me I travel with smokers and .....

I totally agree, I think it will make an already bad situation worse from smokers smoking in NS rooms.

The last few trips to Disney we have experienced several problems of walking into NS rooms to be overwhelmed by the smell of smoke.

If they go to NS totally they are going to have to have a fine for smoking in the rooms are it is never going to work. Most timeshares we rent at the beach have you sign an agreement to not smoke and the fine is $500.