5 Hotels That Have Adapted Well to Covid-19
With the majority of people choosing to forgo travel in order to stay at home, hotels have really struggled to draw in guests over the past few months.
However, times are changing once again…
While some hotels are having a tough time keeping up with constantly-changing requirements, others have truly been exemplary when it comes to ensuring the safety of their guests.
If you plan on booking yourself into a hotel anytime soon, these five hotels are the ones to choose from.
The Hilton
One of the most famous hotel chains in the world, it should come as no surprise that the Hilton has really outdone itself when it comes to its Covid-19 policy.
For starters, the hotel chain has partnered with RB, the creator of Dettol and Lysol, to create the Hilton CleanStay program. It basically means that all areas are cleaned extra-vigorously, with staff undergoing special training to ensure that they are knowledgable about these new cleaning methods.
Hilton are also consulting with the Mayo Clinic to make sure that the health standards at their hotels are always on-point.
They are offering all of their guests flexible booking options, meaning that any last-minute changes or cancellations can happen free of charge, and face coverings are mandatory in the public spaces of many of their hotels.
As an added bonus, the Hilton Honors App allows guests to digitally check in to their rooms, complete with a digital key. You can use the app to message staff, check out, and review your receipt, making all of these services completely contactless.
Which Hilton Hotel is the Best?
This depends on what you’re looking for – some are good for wellness and relaxation, others are known for their skiing, and several have exquisite beaches.
However, one of the best Hilton hotels all-round is the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. Set in 17th and 18th century palaces, this five star hotel, which boasts a luxury spa, personal concierge services, and Michelin-starred restaurants, is in a prime location, just two blocks from the heart of the city.
While you’re there, don’t forget to stop off at the OROGOLD Amsterdam store to treat your skin to complimentary product demonstrations, customized skin consultations, and a VIP gold facial.
The Hyatt
The Hyatt is another international hotel chain that is loved by so many.
In a recent Covid-19 survey, the Hyatt beat out its competitors when it came to its customers-first policy. Their enhanced levels of cleanliness puts guests at immediate ease, with the chain consulting with the Cleveland Clinic to put together its new safety protocols.
Many public spaces are sanitized hourly with hospital-quality disinfectants, and the chain is also testing out electrostatic sprayers to make their disinfecting even more effective.
All staff undergo temperature checks before they enter the hotel each time, and guests may also need to do this depending on the local requirements of the hotel that they are staying at.
The Hyatt strongly encourages social distancing, and has made this easier with protective shields strategically placed around their hotels.
Just like the Hilton, the Hyatt also offers up super-flexible booking and cancellation policies.
Are you a frontline worker?
If so, you could be eligible for a complimentary vacation at a Hyatt hotel; a scheme that they are running in collaboration with American Airlines. Healthcare workers from around the world are also able to enjoy the hotel’s Friends & Family rate until June 2021, as a way for the hotel to thank those who are caring for society.
Which Hyatt Hotel is the Best?
Well, according to US News, the best Hyatt Hotel is the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour in St. Kitts & Nevis.
This almost-untouched Caribbean island is truly a piece of paradise. The hotel spans the Banana Bay, meaning that every room boasts a panoramic sea view. If you treat yourself to a suite, you’ll be able to enjoy private terraces, lounge areas, and a plunge pool too.
Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is another hotel that has really committed to changing the way they do things during this pandemic. Their Lead With Care program consists of highly stringent health and safety measures, with consultants at John Hopkins Medicine International providing advice.
In addition to the extra cleaning, along with numerous sanitizer stations dotted throughout hotels, all Four Seasons staff will have undergone special training, both in-person and virtually, to give them the best knowledge when it comes to dealing with situations during Covid-19.
Guest rooms are disinfected on a daily basis, and staff inspect each room with blacklights after to make sure that no area has been missed. Public spaces are cleaned every hour, and the hotel is also exploring various options for using ozone technology or UV technology to enhance air purification.
Don’t worry if you lose or forget your face mask either – the hotel provides each guest room with a special kit containing masks, sanitization wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Like the idea of being able to check in and out in a completely contactless way?
The Four Seasons allows for this at all of their hotels with the Four Seasons App. It limits face-to-face contact in a variety of different ways. Not only can you completely bypass the front desk on arrival and departure, but you’ll also be able to
- Manage your reservation
- Book an airport transfer
- Order room service (which is delivered in a contactless way with single-use but sustainable packaging)
- Book a table at a restaurant
- Book a spa treatment
The app, as well as the live chat feature with hotel staff, can be translated into over 100 different languages, which is crucial for such an international hotel chain. This is also one of the only hotel live chats that are run by actual employees that are based on the property itself, rather than automated chatbots.
Which Four Seasons Hotel is the Best?
Many would agree that the Grand-Hotel Du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel really excels when it comes to luxury.
Located on the French Riviera, in seven hectares of landscaped Mediterranean gardens, this palace hotel first opened its doors in 1908, and has been truly legendary ever since.
The hotel boasts a number of different amenities, but it is famous for its seawater infinity pool, which overlooks the sea. For a jaw-dropping experience, take the hotel’s glass elevator down to the 33-metre pool – the views that greet you from all sides will take your breath away.
While meals can be had at the pool’s gorgeous outdoor location, you could also book yourself in to Le Cap, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. French Mediterranean cuisine rules the roost here, and the restaurant is running at a limited capacity to ensure the safety of guests.
Accor
Although the Accor hotel chain was hit extremely hard by the effect of Covid-19, reporting huge losses and having to let go of 1000 jobs, the hotel has still been extremely committed to adapting to the new normal.
In partnership with Bureau Veritas, Accor have created the ALLSAFE initiative. This sees the hotel taking on the highest standards when it comes to cleanliness and safety. In addition to a reinforced cleaning program and sanitizer stations in all public areas, employees have been extensively trained in safety and hygiene. This training is ongoing, which is important since rules and local requirements are constantly changing.
The check in, check out, and payment processes are all contactless whenever possible, limiting exposure between hotel guests and staff, and rooms are also fully disinfected between guests. Staff have been taught to pay extra attention to high-touch items, such as remote controls and door handles.
Accor have also partnered up with AXA to provide their guests access to medical professionals, not only in person but also virtually. This goes a long way to help guests feel safer should any health issues arise during their stay.
All booking policies are completely flexible, and even guests who previously booked a room at a non-flexible rate will now be able to enjoy the perks that the flexible policies offer.
Which Accor Hotel is the Best?
The jury is still out – each Accor hotel offers something a little different, making it difficult to compare them. However, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba definitely sits near the top of the list.
Located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, this hotel offers up Mexican charm with an Asian twist. The eco-resort has won numerous awards over the years for its five-star services and facilities, all of which take place in a beautiful pocket of untouched nature.
Playa del Carmen itself is an amazing part of the world to visit. While you may not be able to enjoy its iconic nightlife at the moment, this is where you will find some of the best beaches in Mexico. The city itself is also constantly buzzing, with an eclectic mix of both local and international names. While you’re browsing the stores here, make sure that you pop into the OROGOLD Playa del Carmen store to treat your skin to a little luxury too.
InterContinental
While just about every large international hotel chain has partnered with a group of medical experts to help lead their new health and hygiene efforts, the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) has gone all out and is working with three:
- Cleveland Clinic
- Ecolab
- Diversey
Together, they have come up with the IHG Clean Promise program. This was actually launched back in 2015, but has now been enhanced because of Covid-19.
In addition to staff having to undergo extra training, cleaning measures have been amped up. High-touch items and in-room furnishings have been replaced as much as possible with items that allow for more effective disinfecting.
Just like the other hotels on this list, IHG are also offering contactless check in and check out procedures, along with safety screens at the front desk. All payment transactions are contactless too, and social distancing is being implemented at all properties.
In addition to providing each guest with a special cleaning kit, the hotel is also displaying cleanliness information on signage and screens to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to staying safe.
Of course, all bookings are now completely flexible, and deposits are no longer required when reserving a room. If you happen to be a healthcare professional, a government worker, or anyone else working on the frontline, then you will be able to take advantage of the hotel’s Heroes Rate, meaning fantastic discounts for the rest of 2020.
Already have IHG loyalty points but don’t think you’ll be using them anytime soon?
The group is running a special scheme that allows loyalty members to use their points for financial donations, which are being given to Covid-19 relief efforts.
Which IHG Hotel is the Best?
Again, this is hard to say, but the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is consistently receiving awards for its world-class facilities and services. This resort is located in central Vietnam, surrounded by dense forests and bordered on one side by a tropical, sandy beach.
The resort is sprawled out over 39 hectares of land, making it easy to keep your distance from staff and guests. Golf buggies are used to transport guests around the hotel, and they also have a cable car system to help guests navigate and explore the resort’s hilly terrain.
Danang itself is known for its rich history as a French colonial port and its exquisite beaches. It is a fantastic location for outdoor activities, which is exactly what people are seeking during the Coronavirus pandemic.
In order to keep themselves open for business, just about every hotel out there has had to implement new health and hygiene measures because of Covid-19. However, while some may be doing the bare minimum, these five international chains have really gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of each and every one of their guests.
