Marriott No Smoking

okay, i have rented my unit in aruba for june and the renter asked if the no smoking ban applies to the balconies also. i don't know the answer. anyone??

I just read something from an Ocean Point board member that smoking is allowed on the balconies but not in the buildings. I am not sure if this is an individual resort policy or applies to Mariott world wide.

Effective May 1st, 2007 (beginning of the Gold Season).
Marriott Aruba Surf Club and Marriott Ocean Club will become a non-smoking resort.
The effective policy includes all villas, residential and common areas (balconies, hallways, etc.) and all public areas.
Outside designated smoking areas will be provided for owners and guests (to be determined at a later date).
Violations to this non-smoking policy will be subject to a cleaning free of $250.

I think that a lot has to do with local ordinances, whether in this country or not. While we were on Oahu last week, a state wide smoking ban went into effect. It is listed as one of the strictest in the country. No smoking in enclosed and confined spaces or withing 20 feet of an entrance or ventilation system. They have made an area at one end of the common area and designated it as smoking. Yet, we have stayed at Marriott's that have ash trays on the balconies. I would call the resort just to make sure.

No need to call for Aruba.
The only permitted area is the beach...and the future to be "designated smoking areas".

Just heard about this over the weekend. I never saw the survey where the owners apparently voted overwhelmingly in favor of the smoking ban. If I owned here and was a smoker, I would probably be pretty angry.

That being said, I own here and am a nonsmoker, and I am thrilled with this development. We have been stuck in a smoking room more than once, and this is now something we won't be faced with, either here in the US at the hotels (which went nonsmoking in September) or, now, while in Aruba.

My only concern is that the beach will be even more overrun with cigarette butts than it already is.

Very good policy in the hotel chain and in the timeshares. I voted for it and hope all MVCI properties adopt it.