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Extended Stay
Hotels, which owns 676 hotels in the USA, says consumers deserve a
choice, and it will not shut out smokers. InterContinental Hotels
Group, Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels also said they would continue
to offer rooms for smokers.
"Everybody's making a position statement now," says American Hotel &
Lodging Association President Joe McInerney, who expects
continuation of the smoke-free trend.
Extended Stay CEO Gary DeLapp says his company aims to deliver "a
home-away-from-home experience" for guests. Customers at Extended
Stay Hotels are typically business travelers who stay about 20
nights. The hotels accommodate many foreign guests who smoke, he
says.
DeLapp, an "avid non-smoker and runner," says one-quarter of the
five brands' rooms were set aside for smokers four years ago. Now,
10% to 15% are for smokers.
InterContinental Hotels Group, which has seven hotel brands,
including Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, says customers are not
complaining about smoke. All of the company's 3,600 hotels are
required to set aside at least 75% of rooms for non-smokers, and 20
lodgings are entirely smoke-free, says spokeswoman Virginia Osborne.
Hilton spokeswoman Kendra Walker says the company, which has 10
brands and more than 2,800 hotels, continues "to offer a choice to
guests, based on historic guest demand." Hilton's nine U.S. brands
offer up to 15% of their rooms for smokers, she says.
Hyatt, which has 215 hotels worldwide, has no plans to go
smoke-free, says spokeswoman Katie Meyer. About 1% of its North
American hotel rooms are set aside for smokers, she says.
Frequent traveler James Collins, a smoker, says he "can't accept"
hotels banning smoking. "I think much of this is due to the
second-hand smoke hysteria, and their desire to look good to the
public," says the health care consultant from Conover, N.C.
Robert Milk, who doesn't smoke and has stayed at hotels 160 nights
this year, says he respects chains' decisions to accommodate
smokers. But the health care consultant from Glen Allen, Va., says
he will stay at their hotels only if a no smoke-free hotel is nearby.
Source: USA Today |
