Got to the Columbus Marriott at about 9:30 tonight. I had stayed at this hotel a handful of times before, and I am a Silver member. Was offered a ("non-smoking") room on the second floor which smelled strongly of smoke. Went back to the front desk, got another room on the same floor, with an even stronger smell.

Conversation with a bellman revealed that the entire second floor had been smoking prior to the chain-wide non smoking policy, and that complaints about residual smell were not uncommon.

Got back in line at the front desk, tired, hungry, and ready to move to another hotel. In fact, I had called another hotel and learned that rooms were available.

When I got to the desk, I asked for the manager. While waiting for him, Brad at the front desk took matters into his own hands. He booked me into a King suite (thankfully without any smoke smell) and was ready with my keys when the manager arrived. Later, Brad comped my dinner.

What Brad did didn't cost the hotel a whole lot, and now I will consider this property more frequently for my 100 +/- nights in Columbus in the ensuing 12 months.

All's well that ends well.