I work in the sales department of a hotel, but also train front desk. We don't give incentives to our housekeepers, but they seem happy enough to report any smoking. After all, if fining defers future smoking in the room, that's less clean-up the housekeeping staff needs to do. Everytime there is smoking in a room, housekeeping needs to thoroughly air out the room, cleaning, fe-breezing, etc, for the next guest. It makes for a lot of extra work. Plus, I don't think they need to be sifting through garbage - you just walk into the room and the smell is in the air. A lot of guests don't even try to hide it, leaving ashes and butts in glasses, on windowsills, in toilets.
I agree that no-one should be going through personal garbage--that just seems a bit extreme!!

Posted By Heather Kribs on February 21, 2008, 2:42 PM

I fully agree with Heather's comment about how much additional work is required to clean up after smokers who use non-smoking rooms. It's a pain in the butt :)

That said, something about the idea of an incentive-based system to smoke out (sorry) smokers seems excessive. This could easily lead to a large number of erroneous finger pointing and create more problems than it solves.

Furthermore, hotels should routinely reward housekeepers - who are terribly underpaid - with bonuses for the great service they provide...not for "catching" smokers.

Posted By Pete on February 21, 2008, 4:58 PM

We charge $200 and evict anyone smoking in our b and b. That is nothing compared to the cost of replacing linens and curtains that you never get the smell out of, and rug cleaning required to get the film out. Tobacco smoke has an oil in it that permeates and stains everything!

The Alexander House Booklovers B and B

Posted By elizabeth on February 25, 2008, 12:18 PM

I applaud any lodging facitilies that "enforce" the no smoking rules and however they do it is fine with me. Nothing can be more offensive than the rudeness of smokers who insist that they do not stink or that they have every right to extend this to others whether they want it or not. How sad to be so addicted that they must act that way.

Posted By Joyce on February 25, 2008, 1:00 PM

Removing the odor of tobacco smoke is challenging and expensive. As a realtor, I've often found that it can cost $1,000 or more, even after a house has been cleaned, to get that odor out of a home while preparing it for market. It's easy to see how a hotel could incur at least $250 in expense to clean, a room especially after the smoke has permeated the draperies, upholstery, carpeting and bedding.

Posted By Lewis Edge on February 25, 2008, 2:24 PM

As a non-smoker who is allergic to smoke, I think it is a great idea to fine people who smoke in the rooms. I get migraines just being in a room where people have smoked which often send me to the Emergency Room. I do have children who smoke but they respect my request that they not smoke around me. I think the maids who have to do all the extra work trying to get the smell out of the room should be rewarded. I am sure there are as many if not more people who would like to stay in a non-smoking room as those who smoke.

Posted By Peggy on February 25, 2008, 2:41 PM

I have family members who are allergic to cigarette smoke. Personally, I find the smell disgusting. I always reserve non-smoking rooms and would be offended to find the room otherwise. Febreezing isn't enough to get the smell out and I think hotels should charge the full cost of replacing the soft goods in the room (curtains, carpet, bedding, etc.). That should deter smokers from violating the non-smoking label on the room.

Posted By Val on February 25, 2008, 2:51 PM

Nah, nah, nah. Sounds like a bunch of crybabies here. Whatever happened to live and let live, and minding your own business? We have become a nation of pampered wimps, upset by the least little thing.

Posted By Jay on February 25, 2008, 3:51 PM

Both diesel fumes and cigarette smoke are triggers for asthma, and until you've visited the hospital because you can't breathe, you can't imagine the terror. There are several in our extended family that suffer from asthma, one of which has to travel with a breathing machine. The insensitivity of some smokers to this very real concern demands more than a $250 fine. But a hotel using Febreeze to mask the odor? Talk about adding salt to a wound!

Posted By alisan on February 25, 2008, 3:54 PM

A nonsmoker, I detest the habit. Fortunately most flights now (except Egypt Air), restaurants and other public places are nonsmoking now. What is "fe-breeze"? Never heard of it.

Roger Williams, Boulder, Colorado USA.

Posted By Roger AC Williams on February 25, 2008, 4:53 PM

Having worked at a hotel I think the penalty should be enforced. Smokers rooms are the worst in the hotel, and the guest the rudest. A housekeeper doesn't have to sift through trash to see if a guest has smoked you know when you walk in the room. When i worked at hotels nobody liked to clean them (even the smokers)and it a danger to people to breath in those toxic leftover fumes. Plus if they get a bonus good for them since usually the manager gets a bonus as the result of how well the hotel passes state inspection, while the housekeeper who did all the work gets nothing, except more rooms to get done and yelled at by the manager. I have worked in a few hotels and they all are like this. Budget to fancy. So no sympathy for any smoker, you cause more danger to everyone as it is.

Posted By Carrie on February 25, 2008, 5:16 PM

I'm an ex-smoker and I can't stand the awful obnoxious smell. Someone that smokes in a non smoking room is selfish, rude and childish, something I never would have done when I smoked.
$250 is not enough to stop the abusers.

Posted By Donna McDonell on February 25, 2008, 6:38 PM

No rewards for housekeeping or they may smoke in your room. I have left my room for the day, only to return and my room smell smoky. Yes I have complained. What you choose to do to your own health is your problem but smokers seem to think they have a right to bestow their problem on the rest of us. $250 is not enough and fabreeze will not get the smell out.

Posted By Gail Stephens on February 25, 2008, 6:59 PM

I personally think that the $250 policy doesn't go far enough. Execute them. Oh, I forgot, they are killing themselves anyway. I just don't want to have to smell their death nicotine odor.

I am retiring from the house painting business and the #1 complaint from our customers was cigarette butts left on their property.

Posted By James Grover on February 25, 2008, 7:47 PM

If you don't allow smoking, I think they ought to outlaw perfume too. I am smoker and I am a curtious smoker. Ashes go in the ashtray and I dumped my ashtray and wash it when I leave a hotel room. Of course the problem most people don't like the smell of smoke, but they seem to tolerate perfume. Perfume is worse for asmatics than smoking. Of course that doesn't count. If I pay my money, I ask for a smoking room. If no smoking room is available, i either don't stay there or I go outside to smoke. GROW UP. My age group fought hard for you to have rights but you sure don't care about anybody's rights but yours.

Posted By Shiflett on February 25, 2008, 7:58 PM

My husband and I both used to smoke and just hate the stink smokers leave behind. We were in Las Vegas and had a room on a non-smoking floor. We could smell the smoke coming under our door and at 2 AM the smoke detector went off. In most of the hotels out there you have to go through part of the casino to get to the front desk or the elevators to get to your room. YUK! It just made me sick! We won't go back there again! If you smokers out there knew how bad you smelled you'd quit!! When I have to hang my coat next to yours I have to air it out when I get home.
To Jay, you sound like a died in the wool smoker. I hate to tell you but you're being out numbered. I hope my taxes never have to pay for your cancer treatments!! Nancy

Posted By Nancy Gomez on February 25, 2008, 9:43 PM

I have no problem with the fines but the incentive to maids worries me. But there is another problem with this whole concept: I was accused of smoking in a non-smoking room though I hadn't. The only thing that prevented them from adding the fine to my credit card was my insistance that they first speak to the desk clerk on duty the night before to whom I had complained about smoke drifting in my window from the patio below. So the problem is one of trying to prove a negative. If I hadn't complained, I would have been stuck with the fine.

Posted By Karen on February 26, 2008, 8:25 AM

I am not a smoker and I was charged $250 for smoking in the room. I called and they confirmed that maid had reported smoking in the room. I was so angry and had to call many times and explain to everyone that I am not a smoker and I had no visitor and I hate cigarett smell.
I just got off the phone and they said they will remove the charge but I don't know what could I do even they have not agreed. Probably take them to small claim court.

Posted By majid on December 9, 2008, 2:42 PM

All of you people make me laugh. All of you don't realize that the tax the smokers pay on cigarettes is applied for road repairs, YOUR kids schools (thanks for the increase Obama), and many other things that you utilize on a daily basis. I am paying my hard earned money for a hotel room and should have the right to do what I want in that room. I am not saying smokers should smoke in a non-smoking room, but there should be smoking rooms and non-smoking rooms like it was a couple of years ago. Next time all of you get a room, bring an ultra violet light with you. Check out the stains on the sheets, the comforters, the pillows etc. What do you think those stains are???? From smokers????? Are the maids doing their jobs is properly cleaning???? Is the hotel ensuring hygiene safety? Can I fine the hotel if I find a stain???

Come on give me a break.

For you smokers that get caught and have to pay the surcharge...here is a word of advice...all rooms are paid with credit cards, credit cards will stop payment if you call them and tell them that you are being erroneously charged. Let the hotel spend the time and effort to collect their $150. They will never be able to prove that you smoked in the room.

Case closed. Yeah we are the rudest too!

Posted By Joe on February 18, 2009, 10:13 PM

If it gets any harder to find a smoking room, I am going to buy an RV.

Posted By Ray Carty on March 21, 2009, 6:07 AM

My friends and I just got caught smoking Marijuana in a hotel, the dude asked to check our room because someone had reported the odor. He said "A three hundred dollar fine will be charged to your bill" I guess they tried charging us $300 but since I was using a prepaid credit card they couldn't considering I only had 44 cents remaining. I got a call fifteen minutes later saying that the police would be called if we didn't leave now. So we left, lol.

Posted By Michel on May 18, 2009, 1:00 PM

I was in Wingate hotel located at Flushing, NY. I got in there and was quoted $150 for one night. During the book, I was not asked whether I was a smoker or non-smoker, neither I want smoking room or not. Then, as usual, I smoked. When I was charged $200 when I checked my credit card statement. I thought it was ridiculous that they didn't inform me such question, but charge. Look, anyone can charge for anything stated on their police. But they have a obligation to inform such a big fine before it happens. I think this is no more than a way to rip off money from guests. Now I know the law and this police, but why not informing guests about it and asking options for room type? That's ridiculous.

Posted By Jason on June 1, 2009, 10:48 AM

Thats my problem too! Just recently stayed the night at my first mom and pop establishment and was charged 100 for smoking in the room. My hubby nor I smoke lol, tried to fight it but was informed by motel owner " Ive done this many times, and I ALWAYS win " How do you fight it??? totally agree, just a way to scam people outta more $$ =(

Posted By cat on July 6, 2009, 4:41 PM

This is to the point of harrassment. We have politically corrected ourselves into a nightmare. Drinkers and Smokers are paying more taxes for your wimpy asses. I agree that you should not smoke in a non smoking room but you cannot find a smoking room anywhere here in S.Florida. They claim is less costly to clean up. B.S. look at these rooms closley and you would not stay at most of them. Do the blacklight thing I read on another post.

These hotels and bars, etc. are losing their shirts, I have been trying to book 4 rooms for 3 days at a resort on the beach for a three day party, and guess what everyplace has no smoking policies.........their loss.....I will spend my money where I am not discriminated against. if it cost more to clean the room (Ha Ha) charge us a service fee....everyone else does, cig taxes are out of control and the state crys broke.. Ask Gov Crist where all the payoffs from The Seminole Casinos is going.......Millions and Millions

Posted By Jack Raven on July 13, 2009, 11:04 AM

I'm fine with hotels charging whatever fee necessary to clean the room after someone smokes. The problem is that hotels don't always (almost never) use that money to actually clean the room properly. Most main stream hotels will simply place the room back in inventory and wait for the next guest to complain and hope the smell goes away.

Posted By Rob on August 15, 2009, 5:33 PM

I am frustrated by these non-smoking hotels. I fully understand non-smoking rooms. I agree that resturants and malls are smoke free. If I cannot make it through a meal without a smoke, then there is a real problem. However, when I am traveling I, like non-smokers, what to go to my room at the end of the day to relax. I want to put on comfortable clothes, work on my computer, etc. I cannot settle in for the evening because I have to leave my room to have a smoke. I can't turn on a good movie and kick my feet up because I will miss parts of the movie to go outside to have a smoke. THIS IS UNFAIR TO THOSE OF US WHO CHOOSE TO SMOKE.

Fine the life out of offenders that smoke in non-smoking rooms. That is just wrong and inconsiderate of others. But I want a room that is reserved for smokers.

Posted By Kim on September 1, 2009, 9:41 PM

completely unenforceable. The consumer will always prevail in a credit card dispute. Continue to smoke in the room and flush the butts down the toliet. No way management can prove you smoked in the room. Claim that you didn't and suggest the maid did or someone else. It can't be proven unless they actally see it. Regardless, simply inform the card company of the dispute and the charge will be reversed (charged back to the merchant/hotel. Smoke em if you got em and fight back.

Posted By andy on September 22, 2009, 5:44 PM

I don't have a problem with people smoking, and I believe we live in the US for the rights it affords us. Feel free to smoke if you want to.

But I think the main point here that people are missing is that these are fines for NON-SMOKING rooms! If you want to smoke, get a smoking room. If your favorite hotels have become completely non-smoking, find a new hotel. Why would you continue to give your money to a company who has policies you don't agree with?
I think that's my biggest problem - you check into a hotel room fully knowing it's non-smoking and then you're going to fight management when they complain about you "breaking the rules"? The only reason a hotel is able to charge you a smoking charge is if you signed the registration card at check-in and it specifically said you'll be charged if you smoke in the room.
You're free to live your life the way you want to, but not on someone else's property. You follow the hotel rules. If you don't like them, don't go there!

Posted By Heather K on November 10, 2009, 6:18 PM