Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. is implementing a smoke-free policy in its Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton hotel brands.
The White Plains, N.Y.-based hotel and leisure company currently operates three Sheratons and two Four Points locations in the Houston area.
More than 8,000 smoking guestrooms at more than 300 hotels in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean will undergo an extensive cleaning process that includes deep cleaning all soft goods and treating all hard surfaces, walls and carpets to eliminate allergens, replacing air filters and deep cleaning all air conditioning units.
In addition to the rooms, the public areas will also be smoke-free, Starwood (NYSE: HOT) said, however, designated outdoor areas will be made available for guests who smoke.
The decision to convert the Sheraton brands follows the company’s Westin brand, including the Westin Galleria Houston and Westin Oaks Houston hotels, which went smoke-free in early 2006.