Smoking Hotel Rooms: A Dangerous Slumber For Guests

Sleeping in a smoking hotel room can be an unpleasant experience for non-smokers. The smell of smoke can be overwhelming and irritating, even for those who are not sensitive to it. It can also be challenging to find a hotel room that allows smoking due to the negative perception associated with smoking rooms. While some hotels may offer smoking rooms, the demand for these rooms is generally low, and they may not be well-maintained or properly cleaned. Additionally, hotels often face challenges accommodating smokers without disturbing non-smoking guests, as smoke can travel through attics and upper crawl spaces, affecting adjacent rooms. For non-smokers, the odour of smoke can be a significant turn-off, and it can be challenging to remove the smell from fabrics and other surfaces. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid sleeping in smoking hotel rooms if you are a non-smoker, as the experience may not be pleasant or comfortable.

The smell of smoke lingers for weeks, making the room unsellable

The smell of smoke, especially in hotel rooms, can be extremely off-putting and uncomfortable for guests. Cigarette smoke tends to linger in carpets, curtains, and upholstery, creating an unpleasant atmosphere that can last for weeks. This can make it difficult for hotels to sell these rooms to new guests, as the lingering odour can ruin their stay.

Hotels often go to great lengths to eliminate smoke odours and create a fresh and welcoming environment. They may employ various methods, from DIY solutions to professional interventions, to get rid of the smell. Opening windows for ventilation, using air purifiers or odour eliminators, and deep cleaning are some common approaches. However, these methods may only provide temporary relief, and the smell may persist.

In some cases, hotels may need to utilise more advanced techniques such as ozone generators, thermal fogging, or a combination of deep cleaning and deodorisation processes to effectively remove smoke odours. These methods can be costly and time-consuming, but they are often necessary to ensure the room is comfortable and sellable again.

To prevent this issue, hotels may adopt strict non-smoking policies or designate specific smoking areas to minimise the impact of smoke odours. By choosing smoke-free accommodations and requesting non-smoking rooms, guests can also play a role in maintaining a pleasant environment for everyone.

Overall, addressing smoke smells in hotel rooms requires a proactive approach from both guests and hotels. By taking the necessary steps, hotels can create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for their guests, free from the unpleasant and lingering odour of smoke.

Smoke travels through attics and upper crawl spaces, contaminating adjoining rooms

Smoke can move through attics and upper crawl spaces, seeping into adjoining rooms and causing them to reek of smoke. This is a common issue in hotels, where guests who smoke in their rooms can cause smoke to travel through the upper areas of the building and into other rooms. This can be a major problem, as it not only affects the comfort of other guests but also impacts the hotel's ability to sell those rooms. The smoke can linger for weeks, rendering the rooms unusable and resulting in a significant loss of revenue for the hotel.

Hotels often have to deep-clean rooms where guests have smoked, which involves a range of intensive and costly processes, such as hand-washing walls and ceilings, steam-cleaning carpets, and using ozone treatments. This adds to the labour costs and further reduces the hotel's profitability. Furthermore, insurance rates tend to increase for hotels that offer smoking rooms, making it even more financially challenging to cater to smoking guests.

To address this issue, some hotels implement strict no-smoking policies and impose fines on guests who violate the rules. These fines can be substantial, often exceeding the cost of the room, to deter guests from smoking and help cover the costs of cleaning and lost revenue. Hotels may also designate specific rooms for smokers, usually on the highest floor, to contain the smoke and minimise its impact on other guests. However, this approach can still result in smoke contamination in adjacent rooms, especially when smokers use the bathroom fans, which facilitate the spread of smoke.

The challenges associated with accommodating smoking guests, including the increased maintenance and cleaning requirements, the higher insurance rates, and the potential loss of non-smoking guests, make it difficult for hotels to cater to this specific clientele. As a result, many hotels opt for a complete smoking ban to maintain a clean, family-friendly, and wedding-friendly environment that appeals to the majority of travellers.

Smoking rooms require much more frequent deep cleaning, increasing labour costs

Smoking in hotel rooms has been a problem for hoteliers for a long time, with many guests smoking tobacco and marijuana in non-smoking rooms. The costs associated with this are challenging to calculate, but a recent study by FreshAir Sensor has shed some light on the issue. The research found that smoking rooms require much more frequent deep cleaning, increasing labour costs.

The study surveyed over 8,000 US hotels, from economy to luxury, and analysed data from FreshAir's database of over 20 million room nights. It was found that smoking leads to an accelerated depreciation of goods in hotel rooms, and increases the amount of inventory that needs to be kept on hand. Repeated smoking can cause lingering odours that require the replacement of expensive items such as mattresses and carpets.

The extra time and materials needed to clean a smoked-in room can be significant, and this delays housekeeping staff from turning over rooms. The costs of cleaning products and additional labour can quickly add up, especially if specialist cleaning is required. For example, professional cigarette smoke removal from a house can cost between $200 and $1,000 depending on the size of the space and the severity of the smoke damage.

Hotels may also need to take smoked-in rooms offline for several days to allow for deep cleaning, resulting in lost revenue. This, combined with the cost of cleaning products and labour, can far exceed any cleaning fees charged to guests.

To prevent these issues, some hotels are now using smoking detection systems to reduce smoking rates and provide proof of smoking for chargebacks. By taking steps to prevent smoking, hotels can improve guest satisfaction and protect their revenues.

Insurance rates increase significantly when a hotel offers smoking rooms

Hotels that offer smoking rooms face significantly higher insurance rates. This is due to the increased risk of fire and the potential for substantial damage to the building and its contents. In addition, the presence of smoking rooms can lead to higher maintenance and cleaning costs, as well as decreased occupancy rates.

Smoking rooms require more frequent deep cleaning, including the stripping of carpets, draperies, and other fabrics that may have absorbed smoke odours and residue. The walls and ceilings may also need to be washed, and carpets may require steam cleaning or replacement. The labour and material costs associated with these specialised cleaning services can be significant.

Furthermore, hotels with smoking rooms may experience lower occupancy rates as the majority of guests prefer non-smoking accommodations. The smell of smoke is often associated with dirtiness and budget accommodations. As a result, hotels that cater to smokers may see a decline in their customer base, particularly among families, business travellers, and those seeking wedding venues.

The high costs of insurance, maintenance, and the potential loss of revenue can create a significant financial burden for hotels that offer smoking rooms. This may explain why many hotels have transitioned to becoming entirely smoke-free, despite the challenges of enforcing such policies.

It is worth noting that the success of smoking bans depends on effective implementation and enforcement. Hotels must invest in staff training, signage, and clear communication of their policies to guests. Regular room inspections and deep cleaning are also essential to mitigate the effects of any undetected smoking incidents. By taking these proactive measures, hotels can create a safer and more enjoyable environment for their guests while also reducing their insurance rates and maintenance costs.

Hotels want to be family-friendly, wedding-friendly, and attract business conventions

For families, hotels may offer childcare services, swimming pools, spa treatments, and family-friendly dining options. Some hotels, like Luxury Family Hotels in England, provide complimentary childcare and even special activities for children, such as dog-friendly amenities and games. Hotels that cater to families often have rooms designed with families in mind, offering ample space and necessary facilities.

Wedding-friendly hotels, such as Friendly Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, offer comprehensive wedding packages, including civil and spiritual ceremonies, coordinators, and accommodation for guests. They may also provide beautiful locations, such as beach weddings, and additional services like cocktails, canapés, and private banquets.

Business conventions are another important source of revenue for hotels. These events bring together industry professionals, investors, and executives, creating opportunities for networking, learning about new technologies, and discussing market trends. Hotels can attract these conventions by offering suitable conference spaces, accommodation, and additional services tailored to the specific needs of the event.

By catering to families, weddings, and business conventions, hotels can diversify their offerings, attract a wider range of guests, and enhance their reputation as versatile and accommodating venues.

Frequently asked questions