🚨 Smoke Complaints at Lafayette Econo Lodge Raise Questions About Safety & Oversight

By LI Worldwide News

Smoke Complaints at Lafayette Econo Lodge Highlight Larger Safety Concerns, Guests Say

LAFAYETTE, IN — A traveler staying at the Econo Lodge in Lafayette, Indiana says their experience with persistent cigarette smoke in a supposed non-smoking room is not just a personal inconvenience — it’s part of a larger pattern pointing to weak interior health and safety oversight across the city.

The guest, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, spoke with LI Worldwide News and described “an overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke” that lingered throughout their room from the moment they checked in. The Econo Lodge publicly lists the rooms as non-smoking.

Guest Says Management Dismissed the Issue

The guest reported contacting hotel management several times — in person and through email — but said the responses were dismissive and failed to address the problem.

One explanation provided by the hotel, the guest says, was that smoke was drifting into the room from the front entrance.But the guest provided photographic evidence showing their room is on the opposite side of the building, making the explanation unlikely.

The guest reported irritation and discomfort from the smoke and said that after multiple unproductive interactions with management, speaking publicly felt like the only remaining option.

Other Travelers Report Similar Problems

Public reviews across multiple travel platforms show this is not an isolated incident.

TripAdvisor Review:

One reviewer described the hotel as having a “homeless-shelter feel,” noting non-smoking rooms that still smelled strongly of smoke.

Yelp Review:

Another guest wrote that their “non-smoking room smelled heavily of cigarette smoke.”

Kayak Summary:

Kayak’s listing for the property compiles repeated complaints: cleanliness issues, mold, bugs, and multiple references to smoke inside rooms.

Additional TripAdvisor reviews reference broken locks, unsanitary conditions, and signs of general neglect.

A Broader Problem: Limited Interior Enforcement in Lafayette

The guest also pointed to a larger issue affecting not only hotel guests, but renters and residents across Lafayette: a lack of strong interior health and safety enforcement by the city.

While the City of Lafayette’s Code Enforcement Office lists responsibilities ranging from roofs and siding to structural hazards, nearly all of these apply to exterior conditions.

Multiple past investigations have confirmed that the city has limited power to intervene in interior issues — including mold, pests, smoke, or unlivable room conditions.

Recent reporting found:

• Renters in Lafayette face “unlivable conditions,” with officials acknowledging they lack tools to force compliance on interior issues.

• City council members have publicly described “slumlord conditions,” noting that meaningful interior inspection reform is overdue.

This leaves hotel guests — and many residents — largely on their own when dealing with indoor health or safety concerns.

“We’re Left to Fend for Ourselves,” Guest Says

The Econo Lodge guest said the lack of a clear oversight agency leaves visitors vulnerable.

“It leaves complainers vulnerable to fend for ourselves,” they told LI Worldwide News.

They are calling on Choice Hotels, the parent company of Econo Lodge, to step in and enforce its policies on smoke-free rooms, guest safety, and property standards.They are also seeking compensation for the irritation and distress experienced during their stay.

LI Worldwide News reached out to Econo Lodge management for comment. As of publication, no response has been received. A full video version of this story is available on the LI Worldwide News YouTube channel.

Lit Cigarette at EconoLodge in Lafayette, Indiana

Have You Experienced Similar Issues?

This is a developing story. If you or someone you know has experienced comparable problems at this hotel — or at any lodging facility in the Lafayette area — you can contact our newsroom anonymously.

LI Worldwide News will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.

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