Comfort Suites Goes Smoke-Free in 433 US Properties
In recent news, another major hotel chain stomps out smoking. Comfort Suites, the laid-back brand (typically catering to extended stay guests and execs) by Choice Hotels International is now a 100 percent smoke-free hotel, including all hotel public areas.
"More and more information is becoming available on the hazards of second-hand smoke—that information is undoubtedly influencing where our guests stay." |
Made up of 433 United States properties, Comfort Suites continues its industry leadership today, also having been the first hotel company (in 1984) to include non-smoking rooms in every one of its worldwide properties.
In recognition of the property's smoke-free milestone, Choice Hotels is donating $10,000 to the American Cancer Society.
According to Choice Hotels, extensive research done by Comfort Suites indicated strong reasoning to go smoke-free.
Says Janna Morrison, division president of Choice Hotels, "More and more information is becoming available on the hazards of second-hand smoke -- that information is undoubtedly influencing where our guests stay."
Prior to May 2007, ten percent of Comfort Suites hotels were smoke-free. The owners of those Comfort Suites hotels report being positively affected by the smoke-free switch.
Said Adam Gough, general manager of the Davis, California Comfort Suites, "Since going smoke free, I've been pleasantly surprised, not only have my regular smoking guests remained loyal, but for every potential smoking customer that chooses another hotel, we gain two non-smoking customers."
Obviously, moving to a smoke-free brand will enable hotel owners to reduce costs associated with smoking-related cleaning, maintenance and potentially insurance liability as well. The elimination of separate smoking and non-smoking rooms is also predicted to simplify managing bookings and registrations at the hotel level.
Choice is working directly with its hotel owners to ensure readiness for this new policy. Every Comfort Suites property has recently received a conversion kit in preparation for the new policy. It includes step-by-step cleaning instructions, outdoor area requirements, inventory changing instructions, guest smoke-free communications, frequently asked questions and a certification checklist.
This leaves us wondering one thing: when will Choice Hotels' other nine hotel brands, including Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, go smoke-free?
Visit the Comfort Suites website
(Source: Choice Hotels International)
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