RAVEL How will hotels shape up for guests in the post-coronavirus world? A CLEAN BREAK
HOTELS in Britain are likely to be able to open from July 4 following easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, and many overseas properties are already welcoming guests.
But how will your experience shape up with the enhanced hygiene protocols and social distancing?
And will you even want to sleep in a room where a stranger stayed the night before?
Brands and chains around the world are working hard to ramp up their hotel cleaning programmes to reassure guests and boost public confidence in booking a stay.
We have teamed up with the travel gurus at The Points Guy (thepointsguy.co.uk) to look at the future of hotel stays in the post-Covid “new normal”.
Some countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, have begun putting formal cleaning certification in place, with official audits of properties to verify compliance with the new standards.
Hotels that can say they are regulated, checked and approved by the authorities for clean and safe practices may be more appealing.
The first line of defence is at the entrance, with no-contact automatic sliding doors in use or staff wearing
PPE on hand to open and close any non-auto doors. Guests could face temperature checks as they enter.
Front desk employees may also have PPE to complete check-in and checkout, signalling immediately that the hotel is taking the safety of employees and guests seriously.
Payments may be limited to the card listed on the original online reservation, so cards don’t need to be handed over and handled by multiple people.
Expect cruise ship-style touch-free hand sanitiser stations throughout properties. We could see disinfectant wipes at lifts for wiping buttons.
We’ll likely see hotels using contactless methods, like mobile check-in and digital room keys via smartphone apps.
Ozone generators to remove smells from rooms and kill micro-organisms have been in many hotels for years and their inclusion on cleanliness checklists would boost customer confidence.
Another option could be the use of long-term anti-viral and anti-microbial products, already being tested at hotels in Denmark and on some cruise ships. Housekeeping in the “new normal” could include placing a seal on the door to indicate it has been cleaned and has been vacant since.
It won’t help plastic usage, but there could be a return to the use of singleuse toiletries instead of multi-use bottles to minimise the spread of germs between guests.
Don’t expect in-room treats like cheese and chocolate plates or a complimentary bottle of wine anytime soon.
The priority will be on cleanliness, not extravagance, so there may be a reduction in decorative pillows, bed runners, minibar stocks and paper products like magazines.
Social distancing will inevitably apply at hotel restaurants and bars for a while, so greater numbers of guests may use room service.
That will require minimal interaction from PPE-wearing delivery staff and perhaps more food arriving in wrapping. Grab-and-go stations where you can pick up complimentary fruit or a biscuit will probably not be stocked for several months and those pile-it-high Vegasstyle buffets may be a no-no too.
Gyms, spas and other heavily used public areas will have obvious changes, with mask-wearing attendants in the fitness centre wiping down and disinfecting equipment between use. And we’ll likely see a reduction or elimination of free amenities such as headphones and fruit. In the spa, staff will also have to wear PPE and there’s a good chance the treatment menu will be trimmed.
Hotels in sunshine destinations with swimming pools and beach access will have social distancing, with chairs and sunloungers spaced further apart.
Changes to service would mean attendants wearing masks and gloves and being less hands-on about setting up loungers and delivering drinks.
So please form an orderly, socially distanced queue at the beach bar…