Hilton announces new cleanliness initiative
Hilton is partnering with the company behind Lysol, as well as the Mayo Clinic, to better ensure cleanliness in its hotels — part of a hygienic industry trend in the wake of the new coronavirus.
The new program will be called “Hilton CleanStay” and aims to give guests peace of mind when staying at a Hilton property, whether they are in guest rooms, restaurants, the gym or other public areas.
When customers do eventually return to hotels, they should expect this to last awhile.The program likely will be around “forever,” Phil Cordell, senior vice president and global head of new brand development for Hilton, told USA TODAY.
“The program and what it delivers is kind of a new normal of expectation,” Cordell said. He expects it to be guestready by June.
Full details are being ironed out, but here’s a look at what’s in development:
❚ An official room seal indicating that a room hasn’t been accessed after a deep cleaning
❚ The removal of pen, paper and guest directories in favor of a digital option (or available on request)
❚ Extra disinfection for areas like light switches, door handles, TV remotes, thermostats and more
❚ A disinfecting wipe station in hightraffic areas (i.e., so guests can wipe elevator buttons down before pressing)
❚ Contactless check-in, where guests can complete check-in and check-out processes via a mobile app and receive a digital room key (Hilton Honors members already have access to digital keys)
❚ Electrostatic sprayers and ultraviolet light to be used in the sanitization process
Hotel cleaners will be given personal protective equipment and extra training as well, in conjunction with the new cleanliness effort. Guests should expect housekeeping personnel to be much more visible at hotels, Cordell said.
“Hilton CleanStay builds on the best practices and protocols we’ve developed over the last several months, allowing our guests to rest easy with us and focus on enjoying the unforgettable experiences we have to offer – while protecting our team members who are on the front lines of hospitality,” Christopher J. Nassetta, Hilton president and CEO, said in a statement.
Both RB, Lysol’s parent company, and Mayo Clinic will advise the hotel chain on their respective areas of expertise. Mayo Clinic, for example, will advise Hilton staff on cleaning protocols, training programs and quality assurance.