$419 Smoking Fee Stuns Las Vegas Hotel Guest, Sparks Concerns

A significant smoking fee of $419 surprised a non-smoking health educator during her recent stay at the Rio Las Vegas, raising concerns about the accuracy of hotel smoking detection systems. Mary Ferguson, a former anti-smoking advocate, discovered the fee upon checking out after a visit in July 2023.

Ferguson, who has dedicated nearly two decades to tobacco cessation education, was taken aback by the charge. “I do not smoke,” she stated emphatically, noting that neither she nor her husband has ever used tobacco. They selected the Rio Las Vegas for its recent renovations and attractive pricing, expecting a comfortable stay.

At checkout, Ferguson was confronted with the unexpected fee. “That’s where we discovered this problem,” she recalled. Ferguson and her husband had returned to their room early to avoid smoke, as the property advertises itself as entirely non-smoking.

A smoking violation report indicated that the smoke index had reached a staggering 100, categorized as “hazardous.” This reading raised alarm, as typical levels range from 0 to 10. “They’re telling you that you survived, basically a fatal smoking event,” remarked David Charns, an investigator from 8 News Now.

Ferguson explained that they had no indication of any smoke issue during their stay. “There was no one knocking at our door. No alarm went off. Nothing,” she expressed. The couple learned of the charge only upon checkout, which left them feeling unjustly accused.

In light of this incident, Peter Greenberg, a travel editor at CBS News, offered advice to travelers facing similar situations. He emphasized the importance of documentation, recommending guests photograph any potential issues in their rooms and keep records of their credit card transactions.

Complaints regarding smoking violations at the Rio Las Vegas have been noted by the Better Business Bureau, which has logged 28 entries since March 2023. Many of these complaints came from guests who also identified as non-smokers. In response to these claims, hotel management suggested that the violations may be isolated incidents.

Ferguson expressed her willingness to pay for any actual damage but firmly stated, “I don’t have a problem paying for something that was ours. It was not.” The hotel maintains that all guest rooms are non-smoking and that they utilize advanced air quality monitoring technology to uphold this policy.

A spokesperson for the Rio Las Vegas stated, “Each violation is reviewed thoroughly to ensure fairness, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for all guests.” Following the investigation by 8 News Now, the hotel waived the fee charged to Ferguson.

Travelers are advised to remain vigilant and document their experiences to avoid unexpected charges. As incidents like Ferguson’s highlight potential flaws in hotel smoking detection systems, guests may need to be proactive in safeguarding themselves against erroneous fees.