Marriott Hotels Go Non-Smoking
Wednesday July 26, 2006
Marriott Hotels announced last week that, beginning in September 2006, all of its properties will become completely non-smoking zones. This move is seen as the largest adoption of a non-smoking policy within the hotel industry. The non-smoking policy will be in effect for all Marriott properties and cover 2,300 individual properties.
Comments
I, for one, applaud this move on Bill Marriott’s part. The company has decided it wants to appeal more to the economic class represented by non-smokers that that of smokers. After all, they have far more disposable in come for travel. Yes, they’ll loose some business, but pick up some as well. It will be interesting to see how this plays outside the US where smokers predominate.
I totally applaud this decision. Smokers have no idea of the stench they create that the rest of us have to put up with. Thank you, Marriott.
This move makes sense from the standpoint of unit cost to maintain a room. After all, it does take time to empty those ash trays, replace the burned sheets, carpets, furniture, etc. and not to mention the smell.
If it sounds like I’m a non-smoker, the you’re wrong. I smoke like a chimney and enjoy it. But I’m also a realist. I appreciate the fact that Marriott is a private company and can establish policies as they see fit. I appreciate that this was not a government mandate and that Marriott has chosen its own fate as opposed to having it legislated upon them. They will loose customers (me being one), but at least it is their choice…right or wrong.
As for the arrogant non-smokers like Charles & Jane…just request a non-smoking room instead of trying to impose your morality (duh).
Non-smokers don’t be fooled! If you’re a frequent Marriott customer, you won’t like what’s about to happen. Smokers don’t stop smoking just because they’re in a “non-smoking hotel” - think about the effort it takes to smoke a cigarette before bedtime if you have to go all the way out the lobby in your PJs. What’s really going to happen at Marriott is that all rooms will become illicit smoking rooms. If you’ve been to a “smoke-free” Starwood property, you’ll know this to be true. Non-smokers should write to Marriott and ask them to keep smoking patrons restricted to floors and rooms we can then avoid!
I work at a Marriott hotel and part of this non smoking policy is that if you do smoke, they are telling the employees of the hotel that if we find any evidence of smoking in the room (like butts, ashtrays, cigarette pack) that we are to get the manager so that they can take a picture of the evidence and that the guest will be charged a $250 fine for smoking..so dont smoke
I routinely travel 48 weeks out of the year - monday through friday - and am a smoker. I will no longer stay in a Marriott facility. For those who are not business travelers - don’t pass judgment - it is tough physicially and emotionally. Wonder what Marriot plans to do about the illebrieated patrons in the room next door who won’t shut up at midnight? Perhaps we should start a partition for that as well. Smoking rooms should be kept separate from non-smoking rooms. As long as Marriott follows this guideline - I will talke my business to Hilton branded hotels - and if they choose to do the same - I will move own down the ladder.
I am never staying at a Marriot again. This is completely fascist. It’s just like prohibition. It won’t work and it will impossible to enforce. Also, smokers are ADICTS. They are just going to smoke in the rooms anyway, to hell with the fines. Now Marriot has made ALL rooms, smoking rooms. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Until Marriott Hotels wise-up and have smoking rooms I will go to a different hotel chain
This isn’t a threat, it’s a statement: I had planned on spending a week or two in one of the wonderful Residence Inns in Marriott’s chain, but my wife and I are smokers so that’s not happening.
I note that there’s a slightly less desirable, but still quite nice, La Quinta Inn in the same area where we can get a smoking room. That’s what I’m booking.
Bye Residence Inns, it was nice to have known you. See you again when Marriott remembers that business travelers are more likely to smoke than the rest of the population, and businesses are where their money really comes from in non resort areas.