Ritz-Carlton Takes Top Honors in J.D. Power Guest Satisfaction Study

A non-smoking hotel environment and environmental responsibility factored highly in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study released Tuesday. The study is based on responses culled from 47,634 guests who stayed in a hotel between May 2006 and June 2007. The study found that although nearly three-fourths of hotel guests willingly participate in programs that promote green initiatives, many guests remain clueless on whether these types of programs are offered at the hotel property they stay. The study also finds that 82 percent of guests prefer a smoke-free hotel environment, perhaps a reason why Marriott brands rated highly in each of its categories. (Marriott banned smoking in all its North American lodging brands last September.) This year's winners include in luxury, Ritz-Carlton; upscale, Embassy Suites; midprice full service, Hilton Garden Inn; midprice limited service, Drury Inn & Suites; economy/budget, Microtel Inns & Suites; and in extended stay, Homewood Suites.