Yesterday’s News: New Safety Protocols at Hotels & Resorts

Once upon a time, prior to the pandemic, hotel guests probably never worried about walking through a crowded lobby or even thought twice about the cleaning and sanitation procedures used in their hotel rooms. Yet here we are, and things have changed. Savvy vacation suppliers have been staying productive to help guests gain peace of mind about traveling during a pandemic with an exceptional attention to sanitation and safety protocols and talking openly about them. So, where do we go from here and what should we know about the future of travel as vaccines roll out and we get ready to book vacations again?

How long will these new protocols stay in place?

With a new normal to navigate, it’s safe to say not all adjustments will stick around forever. Some short-term solutions that hotels and resorts adopted in the wake of the pandemic to keep both guests and employees safe may already be gone, like elevator capacity limits. And other quick-hit solutions like extending benefits and points expiration dates and programs will thankfully stay with us for a while. However, several of the following adjustments are part of the hotel industry’s evolving new normal to navigate in 2021 and beyond, and travelers will most definitely benefit from it all.

Amenities like valet parking and spa services were limited or suspended throughout the pandemic. According to Phil Cordell, Hilton’s global head of lifestyle brands and new brand development, these amenities will eventually slowly roll out in accordance with local guidelines and guest surveys to gauge when visitors are ready for their return.

Cleaning protocols are a top-tier concern for travelers during these trying times. Robert Rauch, hotelier and founder of Hotel Guru, a website that shares trends and predictions about the hospitality industry, says he “expects hotels will keep these new sanitizing protocols in place for a while. However, properties will likely stop advertising them as part of their cleaning process after the pandemic.”

Contactless apps create a seamless experience for guests from check-in to checkout — and they’re here to stay, but hotels and resorts are moving forward with them on different timelines. Depending on the app, guests can book rooms, order room service, directly message hotel staff and check-in to their suites all from their smartphone. Many of these apps and technologies were around before the pandemic, but social distancing really made going contactless key.

The future of hotel design has had sustainability and cleanliness at the forefront for quite some time. While the pandemic has slowed many hotel brands’ progress in eco-friendly endeavors — like the transitions to LED lightbulbs, single-use bottles, straws and more — hoteliers recognize travelers’ interests constantly change. Some noticeable changes in hotel designs lately are adjustments to interior spaces to help guests socially distance by spacing tables 6 feet apart in on-site restaurants or extending outdoor dining areas. More technology advancements like ultraviolet lighting and opting into upholstery fabrics that are easier to clean and resistant to bacteria are expected to stay for the foreseeable future.

Do these new protocols hinder the overall resort experience or impact the all-inclusive vacation?

Not at all. While lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and social distancing have put an everlasting emphasis on the ode to the outdoors, the all-inclusive vacation experience seems to align well. Hotels are also continuing to capitalize on this trend of spending time outdoors when it comes to business travel by implementing work-from-hotel packages that feature outdoor workspaces, events and seminars. Plus, it’s important to recognize that when it comes to the pause on cruising over the past year, the wave of converting cruise clients to all-inclusive resort clients just makes sense. A survey of active members of the U.S. Tour Operators Association showed that eight out of 10 are “enthusiastic” to “cautiously optimistic” for a complete resumption of hotel and resort business by the end of 2021.

2021 is the recovery year for hotels and resorts, and all-inclusive vacations are the go-to choice for vacationers these days. The layout and size of most all-inclusive resorts provide guests with their own little travel bubble since venturing anywhere beyond the property itself isn’t always necessary. Add a controlled capacity; alfresco dining, entertainment and activities options; and advanced sanitation and safety protocols to the mix, and it’s no wonder travel advisors and savvy vacation suppliers continue to see an increase in bookings this year. From multigenerational families to clusters of friends, groups traveling to all-inclusive resorts are higher than usual in 2021 and into 2022. Chuck Anderson, owner of Adventures by Anderson in Colorado, reported that 90% of his business is currently all-inclusive resorts and he attributes it all to COVID-19. He also said, “The safety protocols these all-inclusive resorts are undertaking are far beyond anything I’ve seen in the U.S. Once you go and see it for yourself firsthand, you are less afraid.”

Many travelers aren’t afraid to splurge now that they have had time to save for their post-pandemic travel plans. Ellen Geissel, a New Jersey travel advisor, says, “People are more willing to spend now than they were pre-pandemic.” Geissel goes on to say that travel advisors shouldn’t be afraid to approach their clients with the upgrades and incentives all-inclusives have been offering lately. “Many people who didn’t go anywhere last year have saved that vacation money and want to step up to a swim-up room or suite. I think there is a whole ‘I deserve it’ vibe going on.” That said, many all-inclusive resorts are offering programs where kids and teens stay free, which are great incentives for an all-inclusive vacation experience.

Though we may soon forget how many checkpoints go into ensuring our next hotel room is clean or the type of air purifier installed in a resort’s elevator, we’ll now understand that there is a lot going on behind the scenes to ensure the health, safety and comfort of travelers. Now that’s some great peace of mind.

Originally appeared in the summer 2021 issue of The Compass Magazine.