That would be a great trend.

FYI - The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort on Oahu began offering "allergy-friendly" rooms last year. (I think that terminology is a bit funny though...would probably be better to call it allergy-free instead.) Their "PURE" rooms are on the 17th floor and here's what makes them "allergy-friendly": "Bedding, carpeting, walls, furniture, air conditioning systems and more are specially treated, and a state-of-the-art air purification system enhances the resort experience" which focuses on health and wellness.

Posted By Sheila on August 12, 2008, 12:04 PM

Hooray! Now if some hotels could stop their air conditioners from leaking on the carpet, that could solve a lot of mold problems.

Posted By Marilyn Terrell on August 12, 2008, 6:27 PM

Just assuming that those are no-pets rooms, or the hotel itself is a no-pets facility. Or else some pet owner is going to say they have allergies....And yes, Marilyn Terrell, you said it...

Posted By toni vitanza on August 14, 2008, 12:18 PM

I asked the desk clerk at the Ihilani how popular the low-allergen rooms were, and he said "not very". Part of the problem may be that they're difficult to reserve with marriot rewards points. They cost about $20/day more than similar allergen-filled rooms. He said that the sheets and towels were laundered separately from those in the rest of the hotel.

It's a very good hotel - friendly and helpful staff, excellent food - but it's a bit out of the way, past the end of H1. I wonder if low-allergen rooms are less popular at resorts than at business-oriented locations.

Posted By Jack H on August 14, 2008, 12:55 PM

This would be great if they actually are serious and keep pets out too. I have terrible pet allergies and was sick for an entire business trip when I was booked into a Wyndham, where all room are pet friendly. I swore off Wyndhams when I found out they have no designated pet free rooms or floors. Dogs, cats and smoke are my health issues. I now look for the "no pets" designation and a smoke free room when I book.

Posted By Kathleen K on August 14, 2008, 3:05 PM

The thing I'm usually most allergic to in hotel rooms is the smell of the cleaning solution, or the "air freshening spray" that housekeeping uses. I wonder how they've planned for that in their allergy-free rooms.

Posted By Megan on August 14, 2008, 3:48 PM

I'm an allergy sufferer, but I have to say, sleeping in a room where all the upholstery has been treated with "a chemical bath" sounds neither healthy nor enticing. I've found that traveling with my own allergen-barrier pillow case solves most of my allergy problems in hotel rooms.

Posted By Andrea G on August 14, 2008, 5:48 PM

I was booked into a non-smoking room last year in Raleigh, NC. The room was indeed non-smoking. I walked in the door and "something" wreaked with the smell of stale smoke. I finally sniffed it out: The maintenance staff had replaced the bathroom exhaust fan cover with one from a "smoking" room. It was covered with nicotine and that's what I was smelling.

Posted By Joan E S on August 15, 2008, 2:06 AM

I love to travel with my pets. I agree that hotels should provide some pet-free rooms but I wouldn't want more hotels to not allow my pet. Maybe they should not allow babies. I've found many a stinky diaper left in public areas. I,on the other hand, always clean up after my dogs. I also can't stand people who smoke in non-smoking rooms.

Posted By Travels with Pet on August 16, 2008, 8:51 PM

Allergy friendly means nothing unless they list each item/step they are eliminating. My problem is any form of chemical fragrance. Several times I've been told, ''We only use natural ingredients." That means nothing unless they specify fragrance free.

Posted By hechosuno on August 20, 2008, 7:50 PM

These are some great comments.
A PURE Allergy Friendly room undergoes a series of steps that bring the room to a very healthy, sanitary state. The real value of a Pureroom is that additional steps are taken to maintain that environment on an ongoing basis. The first of those is to change the molecular structure on the surfaces of the room. We do not use a "chemical bath" as one reader understood from the article. We apply a bariostatic barrier that has no odor whatsover. This barrier makes it difficult for viruses and bacteria to adhere themselves to surfaces in the room thus depriving them from food sources and the ability to multiply.
The next step covers the mattreses and pillows with special hypoallergenic encasements. This provides relief from dust mite related allergen triggers.
The last step is a the installation of a purifier. These units are registered by the FDA as a Class II medical devices because of it's effectiveness at pulling resperable particulate out of the air and killing viruses, bacteria, mold and fungal spores that are suspended in the air. In addition to these items, pet dander and hair, if it were to be present, is filtered out as well.
All the steps that are taken are actually posted on the certificate in a Pureroom.
Our program has been endorsed by one of the world's leading allergy doctors. He has reviewed all our independent testing and was extremely impressed with our ability to reduce resperable particles for a sustained period of time as well as the reduction in viable fungi.
I invite any of you to learn more about the value of a pureroom on our website which is www.pureroom.com Please provide feedback on our program, as we continually strive to provide the most comfortable environment possible.
On the site, you can also search for the location of a Pureoom.
Regards,
Brian Brault
CEO PURE Solutions NA

Posted By Brian B on August 23, 2008, 11:28 AM

You have not responded to those who have stated that the fragrances cause them problems. Do your air cleaners, which you have stated remove particulate matter, also remove the off-gassing of fragrance and deodorizers? Do you use these types of products?

Posted By jan isbell on August 28, 2008, 12:47 PM

I do not think animals should be alowed in hotels except for service animals unless they are confined to animal floors.

Stinky diapers are not a problem. Animals who don,t use diapers are. I don't know if these people who compare animals to babies are parents.

I suspect most animals would rather be out in the park running and playing than making dander in fancy hotels.

I for one will happilly pay and extra $20 /night to stay in a safe room, I hope they have more. As asthma is on the rise they are going to have to.

Posted By Asthma Dude on January 23, 2009, 7:57 PM

This should be the standard for all hotels. However, not mention was the use of room fragrance. Most hotels use "fresheners" or fragrances on a regularly basis for all rooms. Most of these products contain substances that are toxic, or are known to be respiratory irritants. As an asthmatic, this has made travel difficult.

Posted By Adrienne Pilon on February 26, 2009, 10:54 AM