Hotels close in move to promote staff safety
Two of the Strath’s top hotels were among scores of hospitality venues to close their doors this week as a result of the escalating coronavirus pandemic.
Crieff Hydro shut on Monday as efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19 intensified.
It is the first time since the outbreak of the Second World War the hotel has been forced to close.
In a statement in relation to the Hydro and its wider portfolio of hotels, a spokesperson said: “In support of the government announcements on Friday, we’re now closing all seven of our hotels from Monday, March 23, until it is safe to re-open.
“It’s the right thing to stop the virus spreading, but heartbreaking for everyone involved.
“For Crieff Hydro, it will be the first time since 1939 and the outbreak of war that our doors have closed.”
The statement added: “We just wanted to thank everyone on behalf of the family and our team for continuing to support us and we’ll re-open just as soon as we can when society returns to normal.
“When that time comes, the family and team will be right here and ready with a warm welcome.”
Those who have bookings at Crieff Hydro are now being asked to contact the hotel via its website, with options including amending the date of the booking, suspending the booking with credit lasting 12 months, or cancelling it altogether.
Elsewhere, bosses at Gleneagles Hotel also announced over the weekend that its doors were set to close temporarily from Monday.
It is hoped the five-star facility will re-open before the start of May, but that will depend on advice from the government.
The closure includes the facility’s worldclass golf courses.
A statement on the hotel’s website said: “Due to the government’s decision to close all restaurants, bars, gyms and leisure centres in the UK, we’ve taken the very difficult decision to close the hotel’s doors from Monday, March 23.
“Our team and guests’ health and wellbeing is our top priority so, while we are deeply saddened by this development, we hope you will appreciate the measures we’ve taken to protect their safety.
“We very much hope to re-open by April 30, pending further updates from the government.
“Our golf courses and academy are also closed – we will update you if this situation changes.”
The hotel’s management has asked anyone with concern++s to email sales@ gleneagles.com or call 0800 704705.