Several years ago, the Canadian government levied a smoking ban in office buildings, restaurants and other public spaces. For most provinces, this ban continues to target the hotel industry today.

Hotels first began adopting no-smoking policies in 2005, shortly after Westin prohibited it across 77 of its franchises. Many large chains followed suit shortly after. Nowadays, travellers may still find smoking rooms in Canada, but they are sparse. If you intend to light up, you must seek appropriate accommodations or face the consequences.

Fines for Smoking in Prohibited Rooms and Spaces

According to the Consumerist, it costs the Marriott hotel $1,000 to eliminate tobacco odors from a room. Consequently, they charge offenders upwards of $250 when caught smoking on the premise.

For most hotels, determining when guests have smoked takes little detective work. Especially for multi-night guests, the cleaners will notice the smell or discover ashes over time. Even when just suspected of smoking, some hotels will slap a fine despite having no concrete evidence. This prevents people from using their balconies and other unauthorized spots on the property.

Third-Hand Smoke in Hotel Rooms

Smoking in hotels affects more than just the staff. A study in the Tobacco Control Monday journal observes neighbour smoke, also called third-hand smoke, in shared accommodations. Researchers found that smoke can travel through hallways, vents and plumbing. It can also settle into the furniture, creating environmental risks for other guests.

To demonstrate the effects of neighbour smoke, researchers assessed 30 hotels. In a sample of 30 non-smokers, they found trace amounts of nicotine residue on the fingers and in the urine tests. Although less potent and dangerous than second-hand smoke, this study demonstrates the negative reality of third-hand smoke. Thus, it remains a pertinent issue in the accommodations industry.

Campers partake in all sorts of fun outdoor activities—boating, fishing, swimming, tanning and hiking. But you needn’t sleep in a tent to do such things. In fact, hotels offer various perks that might make said activities more enjoyable. For hiking, in particular, we’ve identified three reasons for choosing a hotel over a campground.

Sundry Amenities for You to Pamper Yourself

Hotels offer a range of amenities for making a hiking trip easier. Although fun, prepping meals over the fire and using public bathrooms can be draining. Instead, you can use the hotel’s services to recover from your walks. For instance, the hot tub or sauna can relax your muscles after a hike. Restaurants and laundry facilities can provide you with lavish meals and fresh clothes, too.

Greater Access to Regional Hiking Trails

When camping, you limit yourself to the trails accessible by the park (generally speaking). Hotels closer to the city tap into local transit routes, delivering you anywhere you want to go. This includes guided tour spots, where you can hike as a group and learn about the environment.

Better Sleeps and Privacy

Depending on the campground that you choose, you might find your nights noisy. From raucous neighbours to nocturnal wildlife—the sounds of camping keep many people up all night. Conversely, a proper bed and living space allow you to get adequate rest between hikes. It’s also far more comfortable than crashing on the ground.

Most leisure Canadian trips take place outdoors. When fishing, biking, hiking or riding—vehicles and animals alike—you’re exposing your skin to that strong midday sun.

Already, vacations interrupt your regular skin routine, so the sun is not your only enemy. Many travellers experience breakouts and dryness during the first few days. The time you go to sleep, your environment, your diet and more all affect the health of your skin. To combat said effects, you need to prepare adequately.

How to Prepare Your Skin for Travel

Travelling, especially by air, can dry out the skin. For this reason, apply extra moisturizer a few days before your trip. The better hydrated the skin, the less sensitive it will be to sunlight.

Regardless how much preparation you do, you must also pack the essentials:

• Sunscreen (preferably oil-free),
• Hydrocortisone cream,
• Sunburn treatment (i.e. aloe cream),
• Bug repellent,
• Facial cleanser and lotion,
• Lip balm.

For your cleansers, refrain from packing harsh or irritating products like exfoliates or toner. Travel stresses the skin enough that it could benefit from a week or so without such things.

Caring for Your Skin While on Vacation

Besides your usual cleaning regime, stick to a frequent sun-screening schedule. Always apply protection before going into the sun and reapply it throughout the day (as the bottle instructs). If you do get burned, treat the inflammation as soon as possible and step out from the sun for the rest of the day.

Likewise, drink copious amounts of water. Well-moisturized skin requires ample fluids in the body. Although cocktails might tempt you in the summer heat, balance your alcohol wisely. You can also mist your skin with water to avoid blistering and drying.

For those who wear makeup, consider skimping on it during your trip. On vacation, it may react adversely with your skin, clogging pores or drying your face. Many people prefer to leave it off when outside, only to use it when dining out.