A recent study indicates that up to 50% of today's travelers preferring non-smoking rooms would rather switch hotels than stay in a smoking room. Stephen Blackford, assistant executive manager at the Lenox Suites, states "Our hotel recently began guaranteeing non-smoking rooms vs. the lodging industry practice of allowing the guest to only request a non-smoking room. Leaving a guest uncertain as to the type of accommodation they will receive until the time of registration is no longer an acceptable level of service."

The hotel is able to offer this guarantee because of a combination of three factors. 1) The hotel maintains an inventory of 80% non-smoking and 20% smoking rooms, with all of the smoking rooms located on separate floors. This reflects the trend toward more guests requiring non-smoking accommodations. 2) The hotel uses the CLS property management system, which enables the non-smoking rooms to be held for non-smoking guests as they make their reservations. 3) Each day the hotel monitors the demand for non-smoking rooms, and if demand exceeds supply, the hotel simply converts some of the necessary room types to non-smoking rooms, by using an innovative deodorization system, "Nature's Mist," which eliminates all of the odors including heavy smoke from the guestroom in a timely and cost-effective manner. This product allows the hotel the capability of preparing a smoking guestroom in about 15 minutes for a non-smoking guest. "We believe this Guaranteed Non Smoking Room Program helps provide the level of satisfaction that our guests have come to expect from our hotel. We feel it addresses a growing trend we have seen for the odor free guest rooms during the past few years," says Judith Kalfon, general manager.

The Lenox Suites Hotel has been a fixture in the heart of downtown Chicago since 1985 and is located one block west of Michigan Avenue at the corner of Rush and Ontario Streets. Just steps from the hotel, guests will find Chicago's most celebrated shopping, restaurants, nightlife, galleries and museums. The staff at the Lenox Suites takes great care to provide each guest, including many repeat customers, with personalized service that both the corporate traveler and vacationing family have come to expect from a small, intimate hotel. For additional information, or to make a reservation, call the Lenox Suites at 1-800-44 LENOX.

Green Suites International is the leading provider of environmental products and programs delivering economic benefits for the lodging industry. Green Suites International serves over 1,200 lodging properties in the United States and seven countries. For more information, visit the company web site at www.greensuites.com.

Ray Burger
(888) 590-2285
Green Suites International