Sep. 27, 2003 - Guests looking for smoke-free hotels in Tucson may have to turn to bed-and-breakfasts.

Some of Tucson's hotels and resorts are increasing the number of smoke-free rooms, but hesitate to put up the nonsmoking sign in every room.

Although managers say it typically takes longer and more money to rid rooms of cigarette residue, there is still enough demand from guests who want accommodations where they can light up.

Since anti-smoking sentiment started rising a few years ago, the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa, 2727 W. Club Drive, has been increasing the number of nonsmoking rooms. Now nearly 80 percent of its rooms are nonsmoking, up from 50 percent.

"We hear from our guests stronger and stronger specific requests for nonsmoking rooms," said general manager Rod Siler, who is also the president of the Southern Arizona Lodging & Resort Association.

But some groups of tourists such as international travelers from Japan and Europe still tend to ask for smoking rooms.

Hotel Congress has made its 40 rooms "smoking available" because of the nightclub and bar atmosphere Downtown.

But the hotel at 311 E. Congress St. is leaning toward designating a few rooms as nonsmoking, said manager David Slutes.

While he hasn't heard more calls for smoke-free rooms, "we are aware of it and considerate of those needs," he said.

Part of the problem with banning smoking in rooms is that it is tough to enforce in hotels and resorts where there may be more than 100 rooms. At the 149-room Courtyard by Marriott at 2505 E. Executive Drive, only one of six floors are for guests who reserve smoking rooms.

"If everybody stops smoking, we would go to completely smoke-free," said Scott Posvistak, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott near Tucson International Airport. But "we still have some folks in our clientele who are smokers."

It is expensive and takes more than putting up a sign to change to nonsmoking. But it is more costly to maintain smoking rooms. Aside from the extra time that it takes housekeepers to clean up the mess of cigarettes, Siler said it is often necessary to bring in an air filtration system and use air freshener to mask the smell.

Bed-and-breakfasts aren't plagued with such problems because many have traditionally kept smoke-free rooms, although guests may be free to puff away in courtyards or similar areas.

John Kiber, owner of Agave Grove Bed & Breakfast Inn at 800 W. Panorama Road on the Northwest Side, said he has only faced one violator of the rule from the thousands of guests that have stayed there since the inn opened in 1997.

"We've received more praises than complaints that we don't offer smoking," he said. "With the amount of interaction between guests and hosts, a lot of people have an aversion to secondhand smoke."

Marion Hook, owner of the Adobe Rose Inn at 940 N. Olsen Ave., said the smaller size of B&Bs makes it easier to impose a no-smoking rule.

"We don't have 320 rooms. We have six here," she said. "If I smell smoke, I can always knock on the door."

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