Howard Johnson Gets Smoke Friendly

The Howard Johnson on 28th Street off of US 131 might not be the most glamorous place to spend the night, but at least it has smoking rooms. In September of last year, it was announced that the hotel planned to renovate 70 of its 155 rooms to accommodate tobacco and medical marijuana smokers. The hotel is able to skirt Michigan's 2010 smoke ban with outdoor balconies and patios, as the smoking ban does not apply to outdoor areas. Owner Bob Sullivan told various media outlets that the decision to convert these rooms to include smoking areas was a response to the ban. The balconies and patios make smoking more convenient, as patrons only have to step a few feet outside their room instead of making a trip outside the hotel altogether.