The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the travel industry at a minimum for the near future. But as things begin to open back up, and we look ahead to days when travelers begin to visit hotels again, what can you expect in the way of cleanliness and safety?
After in-depth conversations with our partners in the hotel industry, we assembled this overview of best practices being implemented throughout numerous hotels and resorts worldwide. Hotels are committed to safely welcoming guests and Augeo is here to guide you to ensure the safety and health of you and your attendees throughout the event.
General Cleaning & Hotel Protocols
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Contactless Check-In
- Implementing technology for guests who desire to have a contactless arrival experience. Guests can check-in, choose their room, access their room with a digital room key, and check-out through their mobile devices.
Clean and Clean Again
- Increasing the frequency of cleaning of public areas.
Guest-Accessible Disinfecting Wipes and Sanitizer Stations
- Placing touchless hand sanitizer stations throughout the hotel at key guest and employee entrances and contact areas.
Equipment
- Using products that meet EPA guidelines approved against viruses, bacteria, and other airborne and bloodborne pathogens.
Fresh Air
- Increasing the frequency of air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning, and maximizing fresh air exchange.
Focus on Fitness Centers
- Improving guidelines for disinfecting the hotel fitness center, possibly closing for cleaning multiple times daily, and limiting the number of guests allowed in at one time.
Innovative Disinfection Technologies
- Exploring new technologies like electrostatic sprayers–which use an electrostatically charged disinfecting mist–and ultraviolet light to sanitize surfaces and objects.
Guest Arrival
Thermal Cameras
- And/or temperature checks at entry points.
Automatic Doors
- Guests enter through open or automated doors to minimize touchable surfaces.
Bell Service
- Guests requesting bell service will be assisted and bell carts will be sanitized after each guest is assisted.
Front Desk / Guest Services / Concierge / Bellmen
- Agents will utilize every other workstation to ensure six feet of separation. All queuing areas will have proper 6-feet markings. Preregistration is being encouraged for all guests to avoid the need for touch transactions during check-in and check-out.
Elevators
- Sanitized at regular intervals
- Reduced capacity (around 4 guests at a time)
Guest Rooms
Guest Amenity Kits
- Hotels may provide personal amenity kits with hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and a personal face mask.
Declutter Paper Amenities
- Remove pen, paper, and guest directory; supplement with digital or available upon request.
Deep Clean 10 High-Touch Areas
- Extra disinfection of the most frequently touched guest room area–light switches, door handles, TV remotes, thermostats, and more.
Clean Room Seal
- Add an extra measure of assurance by placing a room seal on doors to indicate to guests that their room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned.
Housekeeping Service
- Additional pillows and blankets are available by request only. No reusable materials stored in guest rooms. To prevent cross-contamination, rags and gloves are changed for each new room. All bed linens and laundry will be changed daily and continue to be washed at a high temperature and in accordance with CDC guidelines. Linens are removed in one-time-use bags upon check-out or request.
Room Assignments
- Spaced to minimize guest to guest and guest to employee interaction.
Meetings
Meeting Space
- Host lecterns, including all associated equipment, to be sanitized once per hour at a minimum experience.
- Conference room doors, tables, chairs, light switches, and other equipment will be sanitized after each group use.
- Encouragement and support of hybrid meetings via enhanced live-stream capabilities.
Physical Distancing
- Seating capacities and floorplans to be reviewed on an event-by-event basis to ensure appropriate physical distancing that follows all guidelines.
- Signage will be placed at meeting and event locations reminding attendees of appropriate physical distancing guidelines.
Food & Beverage
Dining
- Restaurants and bars will reduce seating capacities to allow for a minimum of six feet between each seated group/party of guests.
- Handheld credit card swipe device to pay at the table, making the transaction contactless between server and guest.
- All food will be served individually plated.
- Boxed meals will have sanitation seals.
Meeting & Banquet Spaces
- Additional hand-washing stations will be deployed near each food and beverage station attendant, in exhibit halls, and as appropriate, around the perimeter of meeting rooms.
- Follow strict hygiene protocols related to food and beverage with additional measures like staff wearing face masks while preparing dishes.
- Pads of paper, pens, and all other reusable guest contact items to be either sanitized after each use or single-use.
- Individual bottled water will be provided in lieu of water carafes on meeting tables and water stations.
Incentives and Peace of Mind for Future Events
Hotels are extending generous attrition allowances and Augeo will negotiate cancellation and force majeure clauses that minimize risk and offer protection for our clients. It is a fantastic time to take advantage of amazing deals with low risk! Reach out to us today to learn more about these offerings.
Interested in discussing what your next event experience could look like? Let's chat.
