As hotels across the United States begin to reopen, you will see important changes during your stay. Three months after lodging operators were forced to close, all forms of lodging will be able to resume business activities. But what can you expect when you arrive at a luxury hotel? Take a look at some of the most important changes currently in place to keep visitors as safe as possible during their stay.
Parking
Until further notice, you will not have a valet to park your card. Instead, you will have to park the car yourself. This policy is in place to protect you and others from contracting the coronavirus. Of course, this may be inconvenient but it’s certainly understandable. On the other hand, many parking valet attendants are out of work.
Luxury Hotel Guest Rooms
With enhanced cleaning protocols in place, you will enjoy cleaner than normal rooms. However, not only will every room go through deep cleaning. Moreover, there may be cleaning kits provided. Major luxury hotels like Hilton, InterContinental and Marriott are using electrostatic spray technology of disinfectants. You may further notice less furniture in rooms and spread further apart. Magazines, menus and other reusable items will not be provided. Housekeepers are not allowed in a guest room when occupied. Higher standards are set in place for housekeepers with deep cleaning throughout guest rooms.
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Public Spaces
Elevators, the lobby and other high-traffic areas are sanitized on a regular basis. High use areas are cleaned hourly or every other hour, depending upon the hotel. Public restrooms are also cleaned more often to help prevent the spread of coronaviruses. Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers will be provided in public spaces . Lobby bars may be open with limited service and social distancing guidelines.
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Luxury Hotel Food
Food and beverage services will feature reduced in-person contact with hotel guests. Buffet service may be offered but attendants will wear face coverings and utensils will be cleaned on a far more regular basis. For dine in services, table items like napkins, glassware and silverware will be minimized. Shared use items like condiment bottles, salt and pepper shakers are offered in a single service container. Instead of traditional menus, low-touch methods will be utilized, like disposable menus, white boards and digital menus. Even after the pandemic has subsided, you’ll see digital menus.
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Recreation
Particular attention on cleaning and disinfecting can be expected at recreational facilities like swimming pools and gyms. Posted signage will be visible throughout these facilities, informing guests on how to stop the spread of coronaviruses. Hand sanitizing dispensers will also be available to guests to promote healthy hygiene. Face covering may be required where gym equipment is being used and the area surrounding the swimming pool. Additionally, lounge chairs will be spread further apart to maintain proper social distancing.
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Update:
Major hotels have lifted many of the restrictions imposed during the height of the pandemic. This means you can have valet parking and dine or simply walk without a mask. However, because the coronavirus is still present, many hotel staff are wearing masks. Furthermore, there are still many hand sanitizing stations for you to use.
About The Author:
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS Local websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, he reportedly had a digital audience reach of 489 million and more than 5.5 million unique monthly visitors. His other stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS Radio, Engadget and CBSNews.com, NBC.com, NJ.com and OWC.com. He is a Media Fellow of Stanford University.