{"id":8097,"date":"2020-06-03T01:59:19","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T01:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/?p=8097"},"modified":"2020-09-18T11:56:23","modified_gmt":"2020-09-18T10:56:23","slug":"hotel-stays-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/en-au\/blog\/hotel-stays-during-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotel Stays During The COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header: Hotel Stays” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”top_center” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Hotel Stays During The COVID-19 Pandemic” subhead=”The Business Traveller’s Perspective” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ title_line_height=”1.2em” subhead_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#414042″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/covid-19-hotel-1.jpg” background_position=”top_center” background_blend=”overlay” z_index_tablet=”500″ button_one_text__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”content” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_padding=”75px|0px|110px|0px|false|false” border_color_all=”rgba(255,186,96,0.6)” border_width_right=”8vw” border_color_right=”#5b8cb1″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”intro” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/covid-19-hotel-2.jpg” admin_label=”image: hotel chambermaid” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ text_line_height=”1.9em” header_3_line_height=”1.4em”]<\/p>\n

As the world slowly starts to open up for business, many of us will be wondering how we transition from the security of our own highly controlled environments to that of staying in a hotel and relying on hotel cleanliness. Some of us may find the prospect utterly terrifying.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For business travellers, however, there will be little little choice but to trust in the new measure\u00a0hoteliers are\u00a0implementing, if the demands of their jobs expect them to\u00a0check in.<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”divider” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.0.6″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ admin_label=”Zoe” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Marriott-cleaning.jpg” admin_label=”image: hotel room door hanger” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n

Zoe Whittaker is one such traveller. Zoe has spent eight months a year, over the last ten years of her career, away from home; all as part of her role in F1 Motorsport. Zoe tells us,<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDue to COVID-19 we now need to disinfect every surface, and I would be wondering if door- handles, the room telephone, curtains pulls, etc. will be diligently wiped down. Having previously worked in hotels, I have seen instances where the cups and glasses in the room would only be washed in the bathroom sink and not put into a dishwasher, and bathroom floors were never mopped. I can understand that during busy periods, housekeepers will now find it more time consuming to implement all the extra recommended precautions. Given that some are given a deadline to get a certain number of rooms turned-over and are penalised if they don\u2019t meet their target, I am nervous that they may take short-cuts\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ admin_label=”The Guest Experience” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”title: The Guest Experience ” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.3em”]<\/p>\n

The Guest Experience<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n

Together with our friends at Maiden Voyage<\/a>, we spoke to two industry experts. Liz Smith-Mills<\/strong>, Hotel Housekeeping Expert and Adam Munday<\/strong>, General Manager at Melia Hotels International<\/a>, shared with us the work that is going on behind the scenes to ensure guest and employee safety in the COVID-19 era.<\/p>\n

Both Adam and Liz are clear that the entire hotel environment is going to change for the foreseeable future, so what might guests expect in terms of hotel hygiene?<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”text: forget list” _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n

Well firstly, guests can forget (at least in the short-term):<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Doormen opening lobby and taxi doors.<\/li>\n
  • Having our luggage transported to our hotel room.<\/li>\n
  • Hugs, kisses and handshakes from those hotel staff we know and love well.<\/li>\n
  • In-room extras such as pens, magazines, fluffy robes, slippers, facecloths, plump cushions and throws. All non-essential items will be removed.<\/li>\n
  • Jam-packed lifts, we\u2019re likely to see a lift attendant calling the lifts and lift occupancy limited to those in the same household, meaning colleagues will ride in separate lifts.<\/li>\n
  • Buffet style buffet breakfasts.<\/li>\n
  • Public areas such as bars and restaurants for in the first instance.<\/li>\n
  • Daily room cleans, the housekeeping staff will be cleaning rooms only between guests in most cases.<\/li>\n
  • Those bulk liquid toiletry dispensers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/EXEC_KING_11.jpg” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”text: expect list” _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n

    What we\u2019re likely to see instead are:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    <\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Social distancing measures at check-in queues.<\/li>\n
    • Screens positioned at reception desks to separate guests from employees.<\/li>\n
    • Tech-based check-ins or at least a new key-card each time we check-in.<\/li>\n
    • More guests using the stairs in place of the lift.<\/li>\n
    • More continental room-service breakfasts.<\/li>\n
    • A different room service product more akin to a takeaway left outside your room.<\/li>\n
    • Hand sanitiser stations spread liberally around the public areas.<\/li>\n
    • More visible cleaning activities and regular cleaning of public surfaces such as door handles.<\/li>\n
    • Heat sensors at hotel entrances and exits.<\/li>\n
    • A return to the less eco-friendly single-use toiletries.<\/li>\n
    • Lower occupancies and fewer guests, with rooms left 72 hours between guests.<\/li>\n
    • The requirement to reserve a place in the gym.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”text: Marriott” _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n

      Here Bill Marriott<\/a><\/strong> shares his plans regarding hotel cleanliness to restore guest confidence as they start to travel again.<\/p>\n