Post-Coronavirus era: 10 things that will no longer be in hotels

While hotels around the world are waiting for the opening of borders and an influx of visitors, measures to improve cleanliness and limit contact are priorities in the post-coronavirus world. Writes about it Reader's Digest.

The future of hotels

Travel and tourism were among the sectors most affected by measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 around the world. According to experts, the global industry will lose $ 1,2 trillion. Some countries and states have strict rules regarding which businesses can open. Hotels are looking forward to hosting again, although your next stay may be slightly different than when you last checked in.

Reception desks

The more people you come in contact with, the greater the likelihood of exchanging microbes, so you can see fewer points of contact in hotels, among which there is a traditional reception with a hotel employee, where you are given a property card and other promotional materials. Instead, more and more hotels will promote mobile check-in via smartphones. Mobile check-in is already available at 3200 Marriott properties worldwide, as well as at some IHG and Hyatt hotels. Their number will increase in the near future.

Key card

You can use your smartphone as your key to open the door. These “smart keys” are already installed in some Disney resorts, in the Marriotts, IHG, and Hyatt hotels.

Sold Out Hotels

Like restaurants in the post-coronavirus period, hotels will limit their availability over time. For example, Eden Roc in Cap Can (Dominican Republic) now limits the number of visitors to 30%.

On the subject: Come after a pandemic: Sicily will pay tourists 50% of the flight and a third of the hotel bill

Volume shampoo and conditioner

When you enter your room, you will notice that it looks a little different. For example, ordinary items for the convenience of guests will be replaced. On the one hand, those shampoos and conditioners in large containers that many hotels installed for the sake of environmentally friendly service can be gradually eliminated. Instead, mini-packages are likely to fade from hotels.

In-room coffee makers and minibars

As hotels seek to reduce the number of “points of contact,” that is, items that guests often touch, coffee makers in rooms and minibars are likely to disappear.

Free coffee in the lobby

Free morning self-service morning coffee in the lobby is more likely to be no longer a common occurrence, as it allows different people to touch the same objects repeatedly. This also includes coolers with water or lemonade.

Free Happy Hours

For example, Kimpton hotels are famous for their so-called happy hours at night, when guests are offered a free glass of wine or cocktail and socialized in the lounge. In the era of social distances, such communication loses its meaning.

Buffets

In these eateries, the dishes guests use for self-service are questionably clean, even on the best days. The new conditions provide for a special worker in a mask and gloves - now he will give out food.

Crowded pools

Good news! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found no evidence that COVID-19 can spread in a pool that is properly maintained. The area around it is another story, so hotels may restrict access to the pools or, as The Palms Turks and Caicos do, reduce the number of sun loungers around the water.

On the subject: Hotels all over the world offer discounts on future bookings for tourists.

Paper invoices at checkout

As hotels seek to reduce direct contact between staff and guests, you will most likely be prompted to place your order online or via the hotel's app. That is, now you do not need to keep paper invoices with you when placing an order - copies will be available on the Internet and by e-mail.

Innovation: Hospital-grade disinfectants

Yes, all this will not be in the hotels, but something new will appear, including enhanced disinfection measures. For example, Marriott reports: “In public places, the company has added hospital-grade disinfectants to its already rigorous cleaning protocols.” The same hospital disinfectants will be used for room cleaning. Hyatt is working with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) on the accreditation process to ensure the cleanliness and safety of its facilities.

Innovation: High-tech cleaning measures

You can expect even more robots to appear, such as at The Westin Houston Medical Center, the first and only hotel in the country to already use this technology. Robots use ultraviolet technology to kill germs. Marriott is also experimenting with electrostatic spray technology to quickly clean guest rooms, lobbies, fitness centers and more with CDC-recommended disinfectants.