PLYMOUTH, MASS.—Linchris Hotel Corp. announced that the company’s newest property, the Hilton Garden Inn, located at Exit 5 on Route 3 in Plymouth, Mass., will be a completely smoke-free hotel. All guestrooms, as well as the hotel’s Pavilion Lounge, its front lobby and common areas, will follow the same nonsmoking policy. The Hilton Garden Inn was scheduled to open in May 2006.
The decision to make the Hilton Garden Inn smoke free reflects Linchris’ commitment as a leader in its industry in regards to the health and well being of its guests and employees. The Hilton Garden Inn is at the forefront of the anti-smoking trend that is sweeping the nation. According to the American Lung Assn.’s January 2006 report entitled, “Trends in Tobacco Use,” U.S. cigarette consumption has declined by approximately 100 billion cigarettes over the past decade. The report also states that more individuals are quitting smoking than ever before. In Massachusetts, public buildings, restaurants and bars are now nonsmoking environments, indicating a trend that is gaining momentum throughout the service industry.
“A smoke-free environment gives back nonsmokers’ right to clean air,” says Jessica Arsenault, health education program coordinator at the American Lung Assn. of Massachusetts. “Corporations nationwide are going smoke free to provide clean air and protect their patrons and employees from the harmful, life-threatening effects of secondhand smoke.”
Despite the changing public perception of smoking, hotels featuring a completely smoke-free environment are still relatively rare. The Hilton Garden Inn is one of the only totally smoke-free hotels in the region, offering an “easy breathing” alternative to other area hotels.
“We are excited to introduce the new Hilton Garden Inn in Plymouth as a nonsmoking property,” says Christopher Gistis, Linchris Hotel Corp. c.e.o. “As hospitality industry professionals, it is important to recognize that our visitors consider a healthy environment one of the key elements in a positive guest experience.”
This is the first smoke-free Linchris property; however, the company is already making plans to turn more of its existing hotels smoke free this year.
Further emphasizing the company’s commitment to health and well-being, the facility will also offer a workout area and allow guests to bring exercise equipment, such as free weights, back to their room for convenient workouts. A wide variety of heart healthy, low-salt, low-fat menu options will also be served at the cooked-to-order breakfast buffet in the hotel’s Great American Grille.
