Before Covid-19 hit the entire world, hotels attract their guests and travellers with amenities like yoga classes at the spa, complimentary breakfasts and cocktail hours. However, the world today has changed and even how the hotel industry operates. Although more and more people are starting to slowly walk out from their homes and Airbnbs, and even jump on planes, the travel industry also learns the importance of pivot.
One of these changes in the hotel industry is where guests are able to order even provided with COVID-19 tests, with instant results, as a component of the stay. These tests are normally provided in partnership with a local medical company or laboratory, and for the majority, the part is at the guest’s own cost. Since many states and country borders are requiring a negative Covid test, hotels are also doing the same and are including medical testing in their list of amenities. Here are some of the reinvented hotel amenities for the new normal:
The doctor also stays in the hotel
During this time, most people are still scared to go outside and even book hotel accommodation. Guests want to feel secured. This is why plenty of hotels around the world are considering medical care as the latest essential amenity. There are hotels that make sure that guests have a spot at an onsite hospital, with a whole floor exclusive only for hotel guests, but visitors must present a negative test first to the hotel.
Onsite covid tests
Bringing a covid negative test result may not be enough today to enter the hotel. Why? Testing will only be good up until the time you undergo the test. It’s important to note that a person may have contact with an individual who has the virus any time throughout the 72 hours and during their travel or even when riding a taxi or other public transportation upon arrival. Thus, hotels and resorts would have an advantage if they have testing on-site again when guests arrive at the place to make sure that they are negative.
Modern technology
You may think this not new anymore, but technology is still growing and developing. In the ideal world, everyone doesn’t want to get sick. One way to keep the hotel guests healthy is to limit the contact, not only with humans but with shared objects too. A resort and club in Colorado Springs have replaced their real-life golf carts and caddies with the new Tempo Walk tech, which is an autonomous, hands-free caddie equipped with GPS yardage and the ability to hold a cooler of drinks that are not touched by anyone.
Although there are cases when visitors need to touch an object, some hotels would let their guests know that they’re the only ones or first to handle it. The solution to this problem is for the hotel to embroider or print guests’ name on in-room canvas laundry bags and throwaway room service menus.
Hotels are becoming more cautious when it comes to disinfecting and cleaning touched and shared surfaces. Aside from that meticulous scrubbing with effective disinfectants, a lot of properties have been installing branded and sleek sanitisers at entrances to public areas. Most hotels right now have high-tech solutions to maintain things sterile such as UV sterilizers and medical devices created to kill 99.9% of bacteria and germs.
Full-body sanitation at the entrance
Checking people’s temperature at the door has been the new normal but some hotels are taking their protocols to a higher level by making a full-body sanitation station at the entrance as one of their top amenities. Visitors get to walk through and get sprayed with a nonstaining mist from head to toe, just like a car in a car wash when it gets cleaned.
Essential curated gifts
Hotels don’t prioritize giving their guests gifts like a beach bag or fruit plate anymore. Their guests are provided with exclusive face masks, cleaning producest and sanitisers. So instead of earplugs, hand creams, or other stuff, guests will be greeted with branded thermometer stans, gloves, hand sanitisers, and kits of masks.
Read also: How Retail Stores Handle COVID Situation
