smoking...how to rid smell in hotels?

Italy banned smoking in restaurants, pubs, and public places in 2005.

In July of 2007 London banned smoking in restaurants, pubs & public places.

Can't chime in about the rest of Europe.

Claudia, perhaps someone will correct me if this isn't right, but I thought that in most of the German states, smoking in restaurants has been banned since January, and the rest of the states were supposed to follow in the first few months of the year.

I was there in Oktober, and I didn't notice a lot of smoking in restaurant. I also haven't had a "smokey" room since 2000. Perhaps, knowing that I am an American, they deliberately put me in a smoke-free room, but I wouldn't know why.

As stated, most countries have smoking bans in restaurants now, I would also add the UK to that list.

My sister has asthma so she can't stay in a room that smells like smoke. What we do when we travel is that you can always ask to be moved (ask as soon as possible) if your room smells like that. Some hotels also have machines that clean the smoke out of rooms as well. If all else fails, open the window.

As of Jan 2nd, this year, smoking was banned indoors in any restaurant or cafe. You can still smoke on the patio though.
I haven't noticed rooms reeking of smoke, but I am not very sensitive to it.

I can't think of a hotel room that's ever smelled of smoke. It's possible that I just didn't notice it, but I'm usually hyperaware of things like that. If one does there's always opening the window like David said, or maybe a candle (I don't know if there are rules about candles in hotel rooms/if there are sprinkler systems in the places you'd be staying), or you could try taking one of those aromatherapy dispenser type things-don't know if it's worth the bulk/hassle though. The only place I can recall a specific scent for is when I stayed in this hostel in Dublin where one night I was in a large dormatory style room (20+ people) that reeked of old male sweat, old cigarette smoke, and old marijuana smoke... ick.

Ireland banned smoking in pubs in 2004 I think France did too last year. From what I've heard most places have at this point.

A small bottle of Fabreeze does wonders to get the smells (including smoke) out of your clothes over night. To improve the smell of a smoked in room will be more difficult. I wouldn't pack something for that. Instead, stop in a grocery store and buy a spray bottle of deodorizer, use it liberally and buy another when it runs out.

I am kind of with Simone as I cannot ever remember a room with a smoky oder. Most of the European hotels, B&Bs we used have had less fabric in the room which would trap the smoke oder. Many rooms have tile floors, no sofa or extra furniture or much in the way of curtains which would absorb the smoke oder. Second, if it is concern, ask to see the room before renting it. That is much more common in Europe than the US. I have encountered more smoky rooms in the US than in Europe.

I don't recall any problem with a smokey room but sometimes a room has a musty smell. An open window is essential for a good night's sleep for me regardless of the outside temperature. And I always travel with a scented candle--a small soy based candle is good for 30 hours so will last through a two week trip.

We are non-smokers and the last time we had a problem was two years ago in Germany. When making reservations now, we always ask for non-smoking and we have never had a problem being in Germany, France and Italy. If they don't have non-smoking we don't stay. In some commercial hotels, they have signs on the doors of the rooms with a line going through the cigarette.

Pat...BC has outlawed smoking in public places this year? I thought they already jumped on the non-smoking bandwagon years ago.

It's already mentioned scented candles and frebreeze but maybe something that could help smelling. Substitute the smoke odour with perfume/cologne by putting a dab of perfume under your nose.

Hotels can "Ban" smoking in hotel rooms all they want but I can guarentee it will still happen.

Countless times I would check a Guest into a Non-Smoking room and have them return to the Desk minutes later complaining of a lingering cigarette smell demanding to be moved and or compensated...

Some hotels have what we call "ozone" machines which can help filter the bad air out over the course of about 4-6 hours. Better hotels will probably have these machines.
The problem is that smoke gets into the bedding, drapes and carpet and stays there. Those bedspreads are washed monthly, at best.

If you are in a room with a lingering smoke smell, all you can really do is request another room. If you can't move, at least try to air it out as much as possible.

Ask HSKPing to change the bedding and vacuum with air spray on their vacuum bags. Some have special filters on the machines to help filter or add scent. It's worth asking HSKP for help.

Thanks for all the ideas! We are really sensitive to the smell of smoke and hope it isn't a problem on our trip.

Marlene my post refered to Paris.

Victoria( British Columbia) has been non smoking for years. It has only been since Jan. 1st here that smoking on outdoor patios has also been banned.

The best product I have used is Ozium. The last time I bought it was at Target. It works the best of any other thing I have used.

the only way is to get another room...

I was in Berlin only four months ago, and they smoke almost every place!
But my hotel had a non smoking floor. Lucky!

try a few drops of perfume applied to the light bulb in a lamp. This will warm with the bulb lit and refresh the room nicely. Collect a few samples from the cosmetic counter to avoid using something expensive.