Hotel guests in Europe prefer smoke-free environments, according to a new survey from US market research firm JD Power Associates.

The second European Hotel Satisfaction Study quizzed more than 12,000 guests staying at hotels in Europe between June and September of this year.

It found 70% preferred a smoke-free environment that exceeds the boundaries of their room, while in the USA the figure is 79%.

In Europe, support for smoke-free environments was lowest in Spain (57%) and highest in Sweden and the UK (76%).

Linda Hirneise, executive director of the travel practice at JD Power, said: “As we’ve seen so far in the US and Canada, non-smoking hotel environments are also slated to be very popular in Europe.”

Starwood’s Westin brand went smoke-free in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean earlier this year and last month Marriott International took the same decision at its properties in the USA and Canada.

The study also found high-speed internet access was a must have for guests in Europe and a cooked breakfast the most important amenity for consumers in France, Germany, Italy Spain and Sweden.

In the UK, the coffee/tea maker was viewed as the most important amenity in a hotel.

Top hotels for customer satisfaction by category

• Upper Upscale: Steigenberger hotels
• Upscale: Radisson SAS hotels
• Mid-scale: Dorint hotels
• Economy segment: Tulip Inns

Starwood stubs out smoking at its London restaurants >>

Anti smoking laws will come to soon >>

Wales to ban smoking in April 2007 >>

By Chris Druce

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