This has been a year of change! Deciding whether or not to travel for the holidays is one of the hardest decisions to make right now. But if you are traveling, here are some changes you should expect to see from hotels this year.
First, I’d like to talk about the things that you should not expect at hotels during this pandemic.
Room Service
Don’t expect automatic room service. In order to protect both guests and staff, room service during your stay will be limited. You can definitely ask that your name be added to the list for room service, however, most hotels will not offer automatic room service during your stay.
Place your trash can outside your door daily when you need to have your trash emptied. Ask for new towels and sheets at the front desk, and they will be delivered to your room. These precautions ensure that there is limited interaction and less risk of illness being spread between staff and guests.
Early Check In
This one goes hand in hand with the one above. All rooms are being deep cleaned between guests. Because of the extra precautions, it is now taking more time to prepare the rooms for new guests. And because of this, there is less chance that the hotel will be able to accommodate an early check in.
This is especially the case during the holidays when hotels are fully booked. Make sure to take note of the check in time on the hotel website and try to be patient while they get your room ready safely.
Breakfast Buffets
Don’t expect the usual continental style breakfasts at your hotels. All buffet style breakfasts have been removed from most hotels. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to starve though! A lot of hotels are offering “breakfast bags” available at the front desk.
Sometimes it’s a completely pre-packed bag that you pick up, and sometimes the hotel allows you to pick items and they’ll put them in a bag for you. For instance, in one hotel, there was a breakfast table set up behind the front desk and we had our choice of items that they grabbed for us. This ensures that multiple individuals are not touching or breathing on all the food.
Amenities
Don’t expect full reign of the hotel. Most of us are used to just doing things whenever we want when we stay in hotels. After all, it’s our vacation right? But taking into account the current situation, we need to be a little bit more organized when it comes to staying in hotels. Some hotels may have some amenities closed and other hotels may have restrictions. Restrictions may include sign in sheets so that hotel staff can make sure that occupancy meets their requirements.
Refunds
Don’t expect refunds for amenities, restaurants, or breakfast buffets that are closed. I have noticed a lot of reviews on TripAdvisor for hotels where guests are upset that they didn’t get a refund for amenities that were closed. People have come to expect a lot out of their hotels and when they don’t live up to their expectations, they want something back in return.
But currently, the travel industry on a whole is hurting due to the pandemic. Hotels are barely staying afloat. I think having a little more understanding and compassion right now is extremely important as this has been a crazy year for all of us.
Now on to the things that you should expect from hotels this year.
Masks
Expect to wear a mask in any common area of the hotel. This includes hallways, lobbies, and amenities such as business centers and gyms. You do not have to wear a mask in your own room obviously. But once you step outside your room, make sure your mouth and nose are covered.
Elevators
Expect to keep your distance in elevators. Hotels may have different rules when it comes to elevators. Some may only allow two guests at a time, others may only allow one group of guests at a time. Some hotels might even have markers on the floors of the elevator which indicate the spot where you should stand. All hotels will have a notice posted next to their elevators indicating what their rules are. So just make sure you take the time to read them before you press the button.
Stand 6 Feet Apart
Do expect to stand at least 6 feet apart when you’re in the lobby checking in or while waiting to be seated in restaurants. Some hotels will have floor markers indicating where you should stand while you wait. Just be courteous and give everyone plenty of room.
New Information Sheets
Do expect to see COVID-19 safety information in your room. This may include their policies regarding cleaning and room service. It should also include their mask policy and any reservation system for the amenities. It will also most likely include information about what happens if you become ill during your stay. Be sure to also check this information for instructions regarding breakfast. Make sure you read everything carefully and contact the front desk with any questions.
Plastic is Back
Before the pandemic hit, most hotels were in the process of becoming more “earth friendly” by reducing single use plastics. Hotels were replacing tiny plastic toiletry bottles with refillable bottles mounted in the shower. They were using real silverware in lieu of plastic utensils and paper straws in lieu of plastic straws.
But, due to the pandemic, hotels have temporarily switched back to the mini toiletry bottles so that nothing is shared by multiple guests. They have also introduced single use plastic silverware again in order to combat infections. While this is not ideal for the environment, just know, that this like the other restrictions, are temporary.
Contactless Check In
Do expect some options for contactless check in. Some boutique hotels are offering contactless check in which means that you just simply pick up your key through a drop box system after checking in online. You might also be able to check in via a phone app and unlock your door with your cellphone. You should not expect this at all hotels, but definitely check online to see if this is an option with the hotel that you are staying at.
New Sanitary Measures
In your room, you’ll also probably notice some of the new sanitary measures in place. One hotel we stayed in, had the tv remote wrapped in a sealed bag to let you know that it had been thoroughly sanitized. Another hotel had wipes next to the phone and other surfaces in case you wanted to wipe them down. And yet another hotel had hand sanitizer in the room for you. You can always wipe down surfaces yourself when you get into the room for added protection. I had been doing that well before the pandemic anyways!
This year has been off the wall crazy and if this is your first time traveling since the pandemic, you will find out soon enough that it’s not like your previous travels. Hopefully this will help prepare you for some of the changes you will see at your hotel. I know that traveling during the holidays is a very sensitive topic and everyone is trying to make the right choice for their family. No matter what choice you make, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
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