WESTIN HOTELS, the upmarket brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, is to go smoke free from January 2006, the first major hotel group to take what in earlier times would have been considered a draconian decision. All 77 Westin properties in the US, Canada and the Caribbean will go 100% tobacco free including guestrooms and public areas. In preparation for implementation of the new policy, 2,400 smoking rooms will undergo an extensive cleaning process. This includes replacing all soft goods, deep cleaning and treating all hard surfaces, walls and carpets to eliminate allergens, replacing air filters and deep cleaning all air conditioning units. All Westin hotels and resorts will offer a designated outdoor area for guests who smoke. Westin consumer data shows that 92% of its guests request a non-smoking room. For the present guests can smoke in the 48 international Westin Hotels outside the initial smoke free area although individual managers can use their discretion.
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