It’s no secret that 2020 has flipped the travel industry upside down. Tourism revenue has all but evaporated. Entire airline fleets have been grounded. Hotel room vacancy is skyrocketing again. are empty. With company policies & government restrictions constantly evolving to tackle the threat of COVID-19, keeping up with every change is virtually impossible.
I have taken two trips since COVID-19 became a major concern in early 2020, and both times I stayed at major international hotel chains (IHG & Best Western respectively). The hotels on both trips were among the best equipped establishments I have come across throughout this ordeal. Social distancing policy enforcement, recent physical barrier installations, and improved cleaning procedures were all evident during both stays.
Many would-be travelers are rightfully concerned about their future hotel stays. If your travel plans require staying in a hotel in 2020, here is what you can expect to see on your next trip.
Face Masks
Hotel staff members have been wearing face masks per company policies for a while. As of July 2020, nearly every major hotel chain is requiring guests to wear face masks in all common areas. This policy comes on the heels of airlines announcing similar rules on board their aircraft. Most Americans have grown accustomed to mask policies being implemented by grocery stores and retail stores, so hotels hopping on the bandwagon should come as no surprise.
Social Distancing Measures
Many properties have wall placards & floor markings to show how far you should be distancing yourself away from other guests. There are constant reminders to be vigilant about your surroundings & proximity.
Physical Barriers
In addition to increasing the social distancing reminders, actual barriers (like wide tables or retractable queue dividers) are being used to prevent guests from getting too close. Less obtrusive measures are being taken as well. For example, transparent plastic barriers are now commonly found attached to check-in desks and common area counters. These temporary windows serve to insulate customer-facing staff members from the constant flow of hotel visitors.
Enhanced Cleaning Measures
I once heard that the dirtiest thing in a hotel room is the television remote because it never gets cleaned. Knowing this, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the TV remote had been individually wrapped & sealed with a sticker confirming that it had been disinfected. I was not brave enough to try brewing coffee with the in-room Mr. Coffee, but there were single-serve bags & cups in sterile packaging. I also found a card in my room detailing some of the improved disinfecting processes that were being employed to combat COVID-19.
Hand Sanitizer Stations
Both hotels I stayed at this summer had hand sanitizer stations or bottles set up in the common areas. You can expect to see these at the reception desk, near elevators, and at any other highly trafficked hotel resource.
Less Contact WIth Hotel Staff
Hotel staff have been instructed to reduce contact with guests. This means services like mobile check-in/check-out and contactless room service will be more prevalent.
Reduced/Suspended Dining Options
In an effort to reduce crowded common areas, many properties are changing how they dole out perks like free breakfast. Many hotels that previously served buffet-style breakfasts are now limited to grab-and-go food options to prevent guests from congregating in high-contact areas. A lot of properties have also temporarily suspended operations in their dining areas.
Increase Cleaning Frequency
The hotel staff was constantly disinfecting the common areas & vacant guest rooms during my last stay. It is reassuring to see the cleaning procedures that we keep hearing about actually happening before our eyes.
