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Top 10 Measures Taken By Luxury Hotels Post COVID-19

They say that the sun that comes up after a long, dark night is the one that shines the brightest! After everything we’ve been through, we all deserve a good holiday. The hopes of travelers are getting high after countries reopen tourism gradually. The same sentiment is also seen in the hotel industry. As this is a new world where we are entering, there are new ways of doing things. With precautionary measures being the topmost priority, venues are doing their best to make their guests feel like home. We researched 100+ luxury hotels about how they are prepping to reopen after COVID-19, and here are the top 10 measures being implemented to ensure confidence to book you next holiday!

 

1. Reduced Capacity

 

First things first! Almost 80% of hotels are going to open up with reduced capacity. Be it staff, rooms, or services. Taking care of social distancing, this measure ensures safety and cuts down the risk of spreading the virus by allowing a lesser number of people at a time.

Palazzo Versace, Dubai has implemented the following measures: Less manning with a maximum of 30% in kitchen and service, to reduce the contact between employees. No valet service until further notice, hence self-parking is recommended. Reduced seating arrangement to 30% of the original capacity of the restaurants and maintain two meters apart between the tables.

 

2. Technology

 

Picture Courtesy: @hilton

 

We are living in a world of technology. Along with the Healthline workers, engineers and scientists are developing new ways to reduce the spread of the virus.

Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, Marriott Cleanliness Council is redefining cleaning and safety standards. Marriott encompasses new cleaning technologies where they are rolling out enhanced technologies including electrostatic sprayers to sanitize surfaces throughout the hotel. They are also testing ultraviolet light technology for sanitizing guest keys and devices shared by associates. Mobile technologies provide reassurance and distancing options for our guests. In over 3,200 hotels, your phone can be used to check-in, access your room, and order room service.

Thinking on a similar line, Hilton also said they will be expanding their contactless Digital Key service, which allows guests to check-in, choose their room, and gain access using their mobile devices and the Hilton app.

 

3. Welcome Back Packages

 

Picture Courtesy: @falkensteiner_hotels

 

-10% Welcome Back Bonus is being given by Falkensteiner Hotels in their 31 Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences in 7 countries. To further help, they have loosened up their cancelation policies. New bookings can be canceled free of cost before 3 days of arrival.

Extending World of Hyatt Loyalty Program Benefits to advance care and give members one less thing to worry about during this incredibly challenging time, World of Hyatt benefits will be extended in the following ways for all members globally by giving more time to use points, to use earned rewards, for elite members to enjoy their status and benefits, and by postponing award chart changes.

La Sultana Group, Morocco is also giving Welcome Back Packages that include:

* Travel locally in Morocco this summer at La Sultana Oualidia

* 15% discount on the room rates

* Upgrade upon availability at Check-in

* One Free extra bed for kids under 12 years old (depending on the room category)

 

4. Increased Flexibility

 

 

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In consultation with experts in public health, we are redefining our cleaning and safety standards in all of our hotels.

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These are challenging and rapidly changing times. With countries changing laws and regulations, it becomes important for the hotels to give increased flexibility to its clients in terms of reservations and cancellations.

In response to changing marketplace conditions, Marriott International is committed to ensuring their customers experience flexibility during these challenging times. For guests making new reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates, between today and July 5, 2020, we will allow the reservation to be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival date.* Please note that changes to the reservation will be subject to availability and any rate differences.

Similar assurance is given by the La Sultana Hotel Group, Morocco. “Postponing your stay and rebooking makes a big difference to us, to Morocco as a destination, and to everyone in the tourism industry. we will waive any cancellation fees. For guests with existing “non-refundable” reservations up to August 31st, 2020 (this date can be extended depending on the pandemic restrictions*), we will waive any cancellation fees and offer a voucher of the same amount to re-book in 2020 or 2021 with guaranteed complimentary breakfast, room upgrade, and no room rate increase in 2021 for the same season. For guests with existing “non-refundable” reservations from September 1st, 2020, and offer a voucher of the same amount to re-book for late 2020 or 2021, no room increase in 2021 for the same season. During these challenging times, we are offering extra flexibility and support for all new reservations.” Says Saloua Dahbi, Press Coordinator, La Sultana Group

 

5. Crisis Management Plans

 

Picture Courtesy: @hectorretamalphotographer

 

Be it appointing a safety manager or giving exclusive compliance training, we see that there is a need emerging in the market to form a separate health and safety department to cater to the challenges of these unprecedented times. Contingency and crisis management plans are set up by hotels that will reassure the guests that their stay would be taken care of in every aspect.

The implementation of the standards set out in BlueBay Clean & Care will involve working intensively to train all employees, not only those in the Housekeeping and Cleaning Departments. All staff will have to know, apply, and adapt these new protocols and incorporate them into their personal and professional habits permanently. Ramón Hernández, CEO of BlueBay Hotel Group added: “The creation of a crisis management team made up of managers from different departments with a clear roadmap and the ability to react to the COVID-19 health contingency plan within the hotel’s facilities is another key element to raise awareness and train staff, and provide a safe environment for our customers and employees.”

Similar sentiments are shared by Veronica Pinna, Director of Sales, Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden, Austria. “All employees who are working for the Falkensteiner Hotels & Resorts need to comply to the Falkensteiner Health and Safety Host courses to be able to work with Falkensteiner. All Tourism employees around Lake Wörthersee are also tested on for COVID-19 by the Austrian government. We are very lucky as the region (Carinzia) the property is located in Austria, we were the least affected by the virus, and we also are the Flagship property for Austria for hotel openings in general!”

6. Events & Weddings

 

Picture Courtesy: @santorini_gem_wedding_venue

 

Navigating the ‘new normal’ for weddings and events particularly has not been easy. After a couple of months of struggling with the outbreak of the COVID-19, finally, the wedding industry is gearing up for reopening. The venues are doing everything they can to ensure the seamless execution of weddings at their properties.

To ensure a safe and healthy transition, Kamaya Bali has taken several anticipatory steps in response to the COVID-19 to maintain a safe, healthy, and secure environment for our customers, guests, and staff. Customers and guests attending the event in Kamaya must comply with Kamaya’s general safety protocols with no exception. To ensure the implementation of physical and social distancing on the seating arrangement, they have reduced their venue capacity for up to 40%. They have installed positioning stickers on the floor to mark the physical distancing, including on the buffet line, the bar, etc. Limitation of the buffet queuing for up to three people by following the positioning stickers on the floor. To avoid the long queue, the rest of the queue is advised to attend other stalls and stations available in the venue. During the event, the banquet staff will be wearing the long sleeve, face shield, glove, and protective mask while serving the customers and guests.

Every hotel & venue in Greece is obliged to draw up and follow a protocol following the instructions of the  Tourism & Health Ministries. The advantage of  Santorini is that it offers many options for venues for outdoor weddings with a breathtaking view & the most beautiful sunset in the world! With the option of an outdoor wedding, there is not any limitation for the number of guests, as long as they follow the protocol and the instructions. All venues must implement social distancing through table spacing, guest seating, and increased hygiene measures. And they will be operating on similar guidelines of restaurants, bars & hotels.

Red Knot Weddings and Events from Santorini will provide live-streaming video for the guests that cannot travel and attend to the wedding and we follow the instructions according to the Greek Government guidelines:

* Wedding planners & coordinators will wear face masks and gloves and to keep social distancing as well.

* 6 persons per table

* Distance between tables – 1.70 m.

* Service staff will be equipped with gloves and face masks

* Social Distancing of 1.5m between guests is advised

* All venues will be equipped with hand disinfectants for the guests to use.

 

 

7. Specialized Health Care Program

 

Picture Courtesy: @palazzoversacedubai

 

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, has entered into a collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, the global division of health care and research leader Johns Hopkins Medicine, to validate its new global health and safety program, “Lead With Care,” and provide ongoing, real-time guidance on the evolving COVID-19 situation. Grounded in the principles of care, trust, and service, the Lead With Care program will be reviewed and validated by Johns Hopkins Medicine experts and implemented by dedicated teams at Four Seasons properties around the world.

Regnum Carya is the first hotel in Turkey to implement “The Hygienic Room Program” by Diversey Consulting, one of the world’s leading companies for hygiene solutions, as well as the first hotel awarded with certification. Regnum Carya has been the most successful implementer of this program in the Mediterranean area in 2019 with its score average.

 

8. Accredited Certificates To Ensure Higher Safety

 

In a recent Press Release, Address Hotels & Resorts, Dubai said -“In addition to our full compliance with the mandates of the government, we partnered with Boecker® early on to ensure that all our sanitation processes were implemented to the highest protocol, elevating our standards as a global service provider and leader through technology and processes. As a testament to our compliance, we have been awarded the prestigious Bureau Veritas’ Safeguard Label.”

“Stay Safe with Meliá” program certified by Bureau Veritas guarantees the correct application of health and safety protocols in all its hotels. Melia.com will offer a wide range of hotels which will also gradually be extended in line with customer demand. Among the benefits of the promotion are a 30% discount as well as free and flexible cancellation. Customers who are members of the MeliáRewards loyalty program also get 50% bonus points when they buy MeliáRewards points.

Guided by Hyatt’s purpose of care and experience delivering world-class hospitality for more than 60 years, their Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances existing operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind. This multilayered commitment will build on Hyatt’s existing rigorous protocols and include an accreditation process by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) at all Hyatt hotels around the world, colleague training, and support resources, and a cross-functional working group of medical experts and industry professionals that will contribute to various aspects of the hotel experience.

 

9. Buyouts

 

Picture Courtesy: @zayanuraiisland

 

Buyouts are nothing new—hotels typically offer them for weddings, corporate retreats, and other big events. But now, because of COVID-19, small luxurious hotels may start to see requests for buyouts from families who want to vacation together without being exposed to other guests. A socially distanced vacation could be in the cards this summer. Plus it’s a world defined by your whims and directed by your desires.

Zaya Nurai Island is located along the Arabian Gulf in Abu Dhabi. Just a 12-minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island and a 60-minute journey from Downtown Dubai. This exclusive island resort is surrounded by clear waters is also offering an option to buyout if you want to have an exclusive ultra-chic island to your own.

Four Seasons is offering two options- EXCLUSIVES provides a complete takeover of the hotel or resort – with no outside use of any areas of the property. BUYOUTS include all guest rooms, function spaces, pools, and most areas of the hotel or resort. However, the property may allow access to outside guests to restaurants, the spa and golf course, or private residences. They offer flexibility for minimum daily F&B and spa spends, variable lengths of stay, as well as group pricing on all rooms and suites. Event hosts are invited to contact their sales representatives to enquire about availability, and then team up with their expert planning specialists, and catering and conference services teams to create an event that no participant will ever forget.

 

10. Enhanced Security Protocols

 

 Picture Courtesy: @shangrilahotels

 

To rebuild the shaken consumer’s confidence hit by the coronavirus crisis, many hotel chains are consciously making efforts to divert their funds more for cleaning purposes and less in providing regular room amenities and breakfast buffets.

Utmost care is taken at the beaches and pool facilities at Atlantis, The Plam, Dubai. Chairs and loungers are placed at a distance of 2m and a clear distance of 4m will be kept between different groups of guests. Recreational and sports activities will be available and will be sanitized after each use. Food & Beverage services will be offered to guests with a limited menu. All their facilities including chairs, loungers, and life jackets are sanitized after each guest’s use. All other beach facilities including towel desks, entry kiosks, lifeguard stand, and all other desks and counters are sanitized at least once per hour. Their cabanas are sanitized after each use. Self-disinfected sunglass kits will also be provided to the guests.

When you stay at Spicers Peak Lodge, Australia, you will notice COVID safe measures that include:

* Contactless check-in
* Good personal hygiene such as regular hand washing and hand sanitizers dispensers across the retreat
* Increased cleaning of public spaces and regular disinfecting of surfaces like benches.
* Restricted numbers in our public spaces such as restaurants and spas
* Contactless room service

Shangri-La is maintaining impeccable hygiene standards when it comes to food services. Digital menus and contactless payments will be encouraged. Restaurants and bar’s seating capacity will be adjusted that maintains appropriate social distance. All the dishes will be served covered and a service spoon will be offered for family-style shared dishes.

 

 

Feature Image Credit: @atlantisthepalm