No smoking will be permitted in any part of the chain's 77 hotels in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, including guest rooms and public areas. Westin is the brand of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. In preparation for implementation of the new policy, 2,400 smoking rooms will undergo an extensive cleaning process, according to the chain. This includes replacing all soft goods; deep-cleaning and treating all hard surfaces, walls, and carpets to eliminate allergens; replacing air filters; and deep-cleaning all air-conditioning units. All of the hotels will offer a designated outdoor area for guests who smoke. Westin consumer data shows that 92 percent of its guests request a nonsmoking room when traveling and do not smoke in any part of the hotel, including public areas.
"It's about time," wrote Kevin Herring, president of Ascent Management Consulting in Oro Valley, AZ. He is one of the 24 of 25 respondents to www.consultingmag.com who think that the change is a great idea and that other chains should follow suit. "I have many times gotten stuck in smoking rooms when I requested nonsmoking. It's crazy to make it so difficult for the vast majority of nonsmokers."
Adds Cherie Brown, a senior consultant for Cardinal Health, in Tucson, AZ: "Nothing is worse than checking into a 'nonsmoking' room only to notice that it smells of smoke. Usually it is late at night and packing up everything to move is a HUGE hassle!"
Out of the 25 respondents, only two are smokers — and only one of these opposed the move. But while the change might win Westin some customers, not everyone agreed that the policy alone would make them more likely to stay at a smoke-free hotel.
"While I prefer a nonsmoking hotel, it wouldn't necessarily outweigh convenience and price factors," writes Abigail Callahan, vice president of consulting, Eduventures, in Boston.
Georg von Braunschweig, a nonsmoking manager who works at Deloitte, said that he doesn't mind if a hotel has a smoky bar. "Having all the smokers at the front door does not look too good, either."
Completely opposed to the plan is Peter Klesse of Dusseldorf Consulting Group in Germany, an occasional smoker. "It seems to me highly intolerant and nothing more than a marketing gimmick. I smoke very seldom, and I wish to have smoke-free areas. However, a good dinner needs a good cigar!”.
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