A Las Vegas hotel guest is speaking out after being billed a $500 “smoking fee” — despite insisting she has never smoked a day in her life. The unexpected charge, she says, showed up on her final bill after check-out and was applied for allegedly violating the property’s no-smoking policy.
The guest, who was in town for a three-day conference, claims she spent most of her stay attending events or dining out and was barely in her room. She says the accusation not only came as a shock but also felt like a “personal insult.”
Hotel’s Firm Policy on Smoking
Like many resorts in Las Vegas, the hotel in question enforces a strict no-smoking policy in certain rooms and corridors. Signs are posted at entrances and inside guest rooms warning that anyone caught smoking indoors will be subject to a $500 cleaning fee.
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According to the guest, she booked a non-smoking king suite through a major travel site and confirmed her non-smoking preference upon arrival. The room even had a visible no-smoking plaque on the wall.
“I knew upfront I wasn’t allowed to smoke inside — and I didn’t,” she says. “I don’t even carry cigarettes.”
Disputed Evidence
The guest says hotel management claimed a staff member detected a “strong odor of tobacco” in her room after she checked out. She says she requested photographic proof or any documentation supporting their claim but was told that odors cannot be photographed and staff notes were “sufficient evidence.”
“I wanted them to show me something concrete, like a lighter or an ashtray with cigarette butts,” she said. “They couldn’t. I think it’s a way to make extra money off guests.”
Hotel Response
When contacted for comment, a hotel spokesperson stated that the fee was assessed following standard procedure. “Our housekeeping team is trained to identify signs of smoking, including lingering odors, ash residue, or burn marks,” they said. “In this case, the odor was significant enough to trigger a cleaning process beyond normal turnover.”
The spokesperson added that the $500 fee covers specialized cleaning, replacing air filters, and restoring the room to non-smoking condition for the next guest.
A Growing Dispute in Hospitality
Incidents like this have been reported across hotels nationwide. With many properties adopting stricter smoke-free policies, dispute rates have risen. Travelers frequently claim they have been wrongly accused of smoking, while hotels insist on protecting their brand promise to offer clean, smoke-free environments.
Experts in hospitality law note that proving smoking occurred in a room can be challenging without physical evidence. Odor detection is often subjective, depending on individual sensitivity.
Guest Plans to Fight Back
The guest says she’s not willing to pay without a fight. She has already filed a dispute with her credit card company and alerted the travel booking platform used for her reservation.
“I’m fully prepared to take this to small claims court,” she said. “It’s not just about the money. It’s the principle — they’re accusing me of something I didn’t do.”
Advice for Travelers
Industry insiders recommend guests take proactive steps to protect themselves:
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Conduct a quick walk-through of the room upon arrival and report any unusual odors.
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Notify the front desk of any issue immediately and request a record of the conversation.
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Avoid inviting smoking guests into non-smoking rooms.
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Document the condition of the room with photos before check-out.
These steps, while small, could help travelers avoid disputes later and provide evidence if charges are contested.
What’s Next?
As credit card disputes can take weeks to resolve, the guest remains in limbo. For now, she says she’s waiting for a fair outcome — one that clears her name and her bill.
“I travel for work all the time,” she said. “If this is going to be a new tactic hotels use, I’ll reconsider where I stay next time.”
FAQs
1. What is a hotel smoking fee?
A charge applied when a guest is found violating a property’s no-smoking policy, often to cover cleaning expenses.
2. Can hotels impose fees without proof?
Hotels can, but guests may dispute charges, especially if no physical evidence is provided.
3. How can guests avoid smoking charges?
Report any odors immediately upon arrival and document room condition with photos.
4. Are these disputes common in Las Vegas hotels?
Yes, complaints about unexpected smoking fees are fairly common in popular tourist cities.
5. Can a credit card company reverse a smoking fee?
If the guest provides sufficient evidence during a dispute, reversal is possible.
