Marriott goes smokeless

A lot of people are going to love this move. Some are going to hate it. Marriott is making all its hotels 100 percent smoke-free. Right now, the hospitality industry is - quite literally - holding its breath, waiting to see if other major chains follow the hotelier’s lead.

The new policy comes into effect on October 15.

Marriott says that more than 90 percent of its rooms are non-smoking currently, and that smoking is prohibited in many public places because of local laws.

Marriott’s new policy affects its entire complement of hotels: Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance , Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Marriott ExecuStay.

Under the terms of the new policy, smoking will be forbidden in all guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, public spaces and employee work areas. Marriott says it will offer guests designated smoking areas outside its hotels.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler