Tag: marriott smoking ban
View All TagsMarriott Smoking Ban / Smoking Ban / OpenThread / → All Tags
PM Linkage: Drop Your Hotel Smoking Ban Tips Here
Today's WSJ has an article about guests' frustrations with the recent hotel smoking bans implemented by big box chain hotels like Marriott and most recently, Sheraton.
This of course, is not news to us as our Open Thread: Marriott Smoking Ban as been steadily added to for a year and a half. Indeed the story from at least one guest featured in the WSJ's article, came straight from a HotelChatter member. The reporter Sarah Nassauer even contacted us directly about speaking to our Hotel Mavens and thus we set her up with some sources. (Sadly, there's no mention of this in her article.)
Anyways, thanks to all of you who keep contributing to the OpenThread--you're really giving fellow hotel guests some useful info so please don't stop. If you want to contribute your own experiences, you can do so here for Marriott's ban or here for Sheraton's ban.
In other news:
· The Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach has started its $170 million makeover. Plans include a new guest tower, pools and cabanas, and a rooftop garden with sky bar. [Hospitality Design]
· Luxury Hotel Scene in Sonoma, Calif.? [Bloomberg]
· Two good reasons to avoid the Chateau Marmont: Nicky and Paris Hilton. [PageSix]
· Desperate to watch Oscar-nominated movies before the Oscars? You could always rent a cheap hotel room with LodgeNet offerings. Or do what we did last year, fly Qantas to Australia and back and make use of seat-back TV screens. [Little Blog on the Prairie]
[Photo: Nep]
Choice Hotels / Marriott Smoking Ban / Smoke-Free Hotels / → All Tags
Are Choice Hotels Completely Smoke-Free Across All Its Brands?
[Update: Cambria Suites is 100% smoke free as well, according to the Choice peeps]
Despite the growing trend of hotels to go 100 percent smoke-free in their guest rooms and public spaces, not everyone is thrilled with these changes. And "not everyone" is mainly smokers.
Audrey Silk, founder of the NYC C.L.A.S.H. (Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment), sent us an email wondering if all Choice Hotels were 100 percent smoke-free as advertised on the Choice Hotels commercials. She writes:
The television commercial for Comfort Suites (with the catchy tune -- I'll give you that) includes the pronouncement "smoke-free everywhere..." At the end of the commercial several of the hotel chains under the Choice Hotel umbrella are promoted. This leaves the viewer with the impression that all of these brand name chains share/offer the same "100% smoke-free" accommodations.
I'm fairly certain that the only brand name hotel associated with Choice Hotels Int'l that has banned smoking even inside the guest rooms is Comfort Suites and not also Comfort Inn, Quality, and the few others included in the commercial.
Indeed, we tracked down a press release from March of this year that announced the Comfort Suites decision to go smoke-free by May 1, 2007.
We can't vouch for the rest of the brand but we have a feeling it is just Choice Hotels that is smoke-free. However, we've put in an email to a Choice Hotels rep but feel free to share your experiences with smoking at Choice Hotels here.
Meanwhile, we have posted the full email from Audrey after the jump.
Marriott Smoking Ban / Marriott Hotels / Hotel News / OpenThread / → All Tags
More Marriott Smoking Ban Fury
Marriott put their infamous Smoking Ban into effect last July but the comments are flowing on HotelChatter's Open Thread on the ban.
The latest comes in from Monmikf who says that he was charged a $250 cleaning fee for emptying old cigarette butts into the hotel room trash can although he never actually smoked inside the room. He writes:
The Marriott hotels must understand that these are hotel rooms and not operating rooms. I paid a hotel rate to stay at this hotel which includes the house keeping staff to clean and freshen up a room for the next guest to arrive after I leave.
They have no right to charge a fee if a room has an "odor" after a guest leaves. Some guests leave trash, piss on bed linens and may spill beer in a hotel room. What's the charge for these types of odors?
If you agree or disagree with Monmikf or Marriott, then add your thoughts to the Open Thread. Meanwhile, we will be devising a pay scale for different room odors left behind for guests. It should make for an interesting Monday.
[HotelChatter OpenThreads are a place for readers to get in here and talk about hot stories and issues of the day in an open forum.
If you are already a HotelChatter member log in to comment, if not become a member for free and comment away.]
Related Stories:
· Open Thread: Marriott's Smoking Policy [HotelChatter]
Hotel News / Guest Satisfaction Survey / Hotel Noise / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Embassy Suites Hotels / Hotel Amenities / Marriott Smoking Ban / → All Tags
Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Noise Top the 2007 Guest Satisfaction Survey Study
Where: United States
We've had it with thin walls and smoke. We also prefer Ritz-Carlton Hotels for our luxury trips.
That's according to the results of a JD Power and Associates Guest Satisfaction Survey, who surveyed 47,634 travelers to discover that the overall #1 complaint about hotels is noise and the best in service is the Ritz.
Hotel guests are also tired of cigarette smells, they like their free continental breakfast and most would really like to know if the hotel they are staying in has environmentally-friendly programs in place or not.
Marriott Smoking Ban / Westin Hotels / → All Tags
Twenty-Somethings Enjoy This Smoke-Free Westin
Westin's St. John Resort resort was one of the first of Starwood's hotel to go smoke-free and apparently, it's a big hit, even amongst these partying 20-year-olds shown above.
"It thinks it's great. I wish they would do it at more resorts," said Adam Wood of the no smoking policy, who is from Utah and also in his early 20s. "One person can ruin it for everyone."
Now if only the Westin can smoke out that $25.00 per day resort fee.
Related Stories:
· Westin Resort Guests Appreciating Newly Implemented No Smoking Policy [Tradewinds]
Hotel News / Marriott Smoking Ban / → All Tags
'Brokeback' Canadian Town Copies Hotel Smoking Ban
Our neighbors to the North in a small town in Alberta, Canada called Canmore where Jake and Heath filmed the gay cowyboy romp, "Brokeback Mountain", are implementing a smoking ban starting October 2.
So if your travel plans take you to this place around then, make sure to put your butts out. Although the hotels are concerned that it might not be enough time to get rid of all the smoke smells and damage. Oh yeah, and all the smokers.
Coun. John Borrowman said he was a little concerned about the Oct. 2 starting date, indicating [hotels] may need more time to honour advance bookings of rooms in which smoking is currently permitted.
Yet it looks like October 2 still stand, although probably with some heavy potpurri smells emanating from the hotels.
Related Stories:
· Canmore Hotel rooms to go Smoke Free [Rocky Mountain Outlook]
· More Gay Cowboy Fun [HotelChatter]
Switzerland Hotel Reviews / Marriott Smoking Ban / → All Tags
Palace Lausanne is Smokin'
If you're staying in a palace, you can expect a little luxury. And since this isn't yours or your friend's palace, you can also expect some big prices. Especially since the location we're talking about is in the not-so-cheap land of Switzerland. But if you want a weekend away in beautiful surroundings and deluxe quarters, the Palace Lausanne is your place.
So what can you expect in a palace? Free WiFi for starters proves this place isn't stuck in the past. Rooms have individually controlled climate remotes, terry cloth robes, stereo sound in the bathroom, and just more good ol' luxury. The hotel also has a spa and restaurant.
But in all of these incredible reviews, we finally broke the case. If you're a smoker, this truly will be your paradise, if not, prepare to live your palace existence in a cloud of smoke:
Our whole experience at the Lausanne Palace was spoilt to a considerable degree by the smell of cigarette smoke that pervades the entire hotel - including the non-smoking suite on the non-smoking floor we were on!
All restaurants in the hotel allow smoking throughout - even at breakfast! As non-smokers used to far greater control of smoking in the UK and US, we found it really off-putting.
Unless you're totally averse to cigarette smoke, French parts of Europe should probably be avoided. If you are OK with it, sign up for the Palace Lausanne newsletter and take advantage of big time promotions via email.
Related Stories:
· Palace Lausanne Reviews [TripAdvisor]
OpenThread / Marriott Smoking Ban / Marriott Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
Marriott's Smoking Policy
[HotelChatter OpenThreads are a place for readers to get in here and talk about hot stories and issues of the day in an open forum.
If you are already a HotelChatter member log in to comment, if not become a member for free and comment away.]
While Marriott Hotels has earned kudos for its recent Smoking Ban amongst health nuts and social-smoking employee wives, but the backlash from smokers still continues.
Luckily for those addicted to the butts, USA Today reports that other hotel chains are still going to accommodate smokers. Extended Stay Hotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton and Hyatt Hotels are some such chains.
And today we got another piece of mail in our inbox, slamming Marriott for the ban which they think might have something to do with...religion? So before everyone goes all Mel Gibson on this whole thing we figured it was time to declare this a HotelChatter OpenThread. Let's move the whole smoking debate into the comments area attached to this story. Comment away. Discuss amongst yourselves, be passionate, be informative, and fear not we will be constantly checking this thread to see where things stand. Oh, and if you want to read the email quote that kicked this thread off, it is posted unedited after the jump.
The Marriott Smoking Ban has been elevated to OpenThread Status, Comment Here
Marriott Smoking Ban / Marriott Hotels / → All Tags
Smokers Club Wants to Boycott Marriott
The Marriott Smoking Ban has been elevated to OpenThread Status, Comment Here
The reactions keep pouring in to the smoking ban announced by Marriott Hotels the other week, most of which has been positive.
But as you can imagine, smokers are pissed. Which is why one New York City group is thinking about possibly boycotting Marriott from now on. Audrey Silk, founder of NYC CLASH, (Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harrassment) had this to say:
One newspaper headline described Marriott's new policy this way: "Hotels Shut Out Smoking." That headline -- and general viewpoint -- is in partial error. What Marriott has essentially done is shut out smokERS. While some guests that are smokers (the noun) might agree to refrain from smoking (the verb), it is ultimately the person, not the act, that has been subjected to a form of discrimination that effects them -- the only group that must decide if they do or do not want to go where their brand of legal behavior comes with oppressive conditions. And many smokers will refuse to be treated as second-class and thus really be "shut out."
Hospitality industry is it? Marriott's ultimatum - "don't smoke or don't come" is most hostile to a quarter of the people, not some inanimate smoke. We're advising all our members to add Marriott to their list of places to avoid.
Ironically, this actually probably works out pretty well for Marriott. If the smokers are avoiding their hotels, then the chain will have an easier time enforcing their new ban. Perhaps Wyndham Hotels could pull themselves out of their hole by advertising Smoker-Friendly hotels and steal some of the business?
Related Stories:
· Marriott Smoking Ban reactions: Hitler was an Anti-Smoker [HotelChatter]
· Our Thoughts, Your Thoughts on the Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey [HotelChatter]
Marriott Smoking Ban / Marriott Hotels / → All Tags
Marriott Smoking Ban Reactions: Hitler Was An Anti-Smoker
The Marriott Smoking Ban has been elevated to OpenThread Status, Comment Here
Since Marriot Hotels announced last week that they were going to ban smoking from all of their U.S and Canadian hotel rooms and public spaces, your reactions have poured into our mailbox.
Some cheer Marriott, some call the chain hypocritical, and others are just bored by anti-smoker mania. But almost all have an opinion about the Marriott Employee's Wife.
Here are some of the reactions that we have received about the ban. Keep 'em coming.
Terri says:
Hell Yes, the smoking ban is a good idea. I am sick and tired of having to deal w/other people's bad and filthy habits. I think all smokers should be moved to their own filthy ashtray planet.
A Marriott Employee's wife she is not. Terri knows what she wants and isn't conflicted by her social smoking problems.
Speaking of the Marriott Wife, Michael McFadden, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of The Smoker's Club, Inc. wrote in response to the Marriott wife's claims:
That's odd. According to the Marriott's press release statements about the decision they're having a hard time filling their 5% designated smoking rooms. The statements complained about how they have to even do extra cleaning in smokers' rooms sometimes in order to squeeze in a nonsmoker who has nowhere else to stay.
So who's telling the truth here? The employee's wife (who is in favor of the ban but may not have been clued in on the "official party line") or the Marriott executives publicly justifying their decision?
More Marriott conspiracy theories post jump.
Marriott Smoking Ban / Hotel News / Marriott Hotels / → All Tags
Marriott Employee's Wife, Social Smoker, Weighs in on Ban
The Marriott Smoking Ban has been elevated to OpenThread Status, Comment Here
Ok, HotelChatter may have had its first PostSecret moment...
Now that Marriott Hotels has decided to enforce a No Smoking policy in all of their U.S. and Canadian hotels, reaction is starting to roll into HotelChatter headquarters.
From our inbox to you, a Marriott employee's better half fills us in on her twisted hate-love relationship with smoking.
I am a social smoker and I think [the smoking ban] is a wonderful idea. Even though I smoke, it is true about the smell and how it lingers on your body and clothes and the rooms. I hate the smell of smoke. Only when I am drinking can I handle it. But other than that, I really don't like it.
My husband works for the Marriott and he said the smokers are already taking down the smoke detectors in their rooms. I think they should check the rooms everyday and if the detectors are not there before a person checks out, then hit them with the fine. It takes time and money to install them and then to have them taken down. Also, it is for safety reasons to have the smoke detectors installed. Many people fall asleep smoking. They can be extremely careless and cause a lot of havoc and mayhem. Don't forget second-hand smoke. That is a danger, as well.
So, good for the Marriott. I hope other hotels follow in their footsteps. If a person wants to kill themselves they should bring innocent people down with them.
We think she meant "shouldn't bring innocent people down" but then again this woman seems full of tough love. If only she could apply that bit about the dangers of sleeping while smoking and secondhand smoke to herself.
What are your thoughts on Marriott's smoking ban? Do you think it is so 1996, the wrong thing to do, or the right choice for lungs everywhere---tips@hotelchatter.com.
Image via fedesene/Flickr
Related Stories:
· Breaking News: Marriott Says Butts Out [HotelChatter]
Marriott Smoking Ban / Hotel News / Marriott Hotels / Peter Sanders / → All Tags
Breaking News: Marriott Says Butts Out
The Marriott Smoking Ban has been elevated to OpenThread Status, Comment Here
Marriott Hotels has made a huge announcement in today's Wall Street Journal and those of you puffing away on your cancer sticks with your morning coffee ain't gonna like it.
Peter Sanders writes that the hotel chain has decided to ban smoking in every room of its 2,300-plus hotels in the U.S. and Canada (including the hotel's other brands like the Ritz Carltons and Renaissance hotels), "in an effort to extinguish an increasingly common source of guest complaints -- the smell of lingering cigarette smoke."
At first, this sounds a little more drastic than it is since 90 percent Marriott's guest rooms were already non-smoking. But the hotel chain goes one step further banning smoking from public spaces that includes restaurants, bars, meeting rooms and employee work areas. (Uh-oh, we feel like Marriott's gonna lose more than a few workers this week.)
If you do get caught smoking, Marriott will hit you with a $200 to $300 cleaning fee and any extra charges that could occur in the room needs to be taken out of service. For those who can't go without a smoke you can hit up one of the hotel's designated smoking areas which has to be 25 feet away from the entrance, so essentially in the parking lot.
You still have the rest of the summer to smoke away in Marriotts but by the end of September the no smoking edicts will be in full force.
What do you think of Marriott's No Smoking policy? Does it make you want to stay at a Marriott now or are they just ruining the fun? Send us your thoughts or post your comments below.
Image via LotteryMonkey/Flickr
Related Stories:
· Marriott to Ban Smoking From All Rooms [WSJ]
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