With little warning, the coronavirus has fundamentally changed the way we live in the short-term, also it might bring long-term changes for future generations worldwide. Travel won’t end, but when travel does resume, we should not expect it to look the same. As the world adapts to new travel norms, expectations and social distancing measures, some of the world’s major hotel chains, including Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, IHG, Accor and more are enhancing the experience for its guests by implementing additional cleaning and sanitising steps, also certifying their properties to protect the well-being of the hotel guests throughout their stay.

Here are a few things to expect in the hotel world post-pandemic.

Collaborating with World’s Leading Health & Safety Companies

Health and Safety, of course, is a top priority for all hotel brands, so that the guests continue to enjoy their travel experience without having to worry about their safety post-pandemic. Many major hotel chains have also outlined their collaborations. 

Hilton launched a new program called Hilton Clean Stay which is a collaboration between Hilton, RB (maker of Lysol), Dettol (International) and the Mayo Clinic Infection Prevention and Control Team to review existing health and safety processes and developed a new safety protocol.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered up with industry-leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, and they launched a global program IHG Clean Promise, providing safety measures to enhance the well-being and safety of the hotel teams and guests.

Accor launches a new program called the Cleanliness & Prevention AllSafe label which has been developed with and vetted by Bureau Veritas. To ensure the health, safety and security of the guests, team members and business partners. All the Groups’ hotels must apply to these standards and will be audited either by Accor operational experts or by Bureau Veritas to receive this label.

The Lobby Rules

The hotel lobby is the social heart of a hotel as it's the first area the guests' experience when they arrive, as we all know, it may now function entirely different post-pandemic. Over the next few months, check-ins will be contactless, touchless transactions and paperless checkout to avoid contact at hotel desks. Guests in Hilton can use their award-winning Digital Key technology to check-in, choose their room, access their room and check-out using their mobile phones through Hilton Honors mobile app at participating hotels. Hilton will continue to work and expand its Digital Key to common doors and access points throughout their hotels. 

Some hotels may even start using hotel robots, as seen in Japan. Hotel staff will be given masks and gloves to protect well-being while continuing to deliver unmatched hospitality. Increased cleaning and disinfection frequency of all hotel areas, paying special attention to high-touch areas, and install stations with alcohol-based hand sanitizer to ensure guests feel safe and confident throughout their stay. 

Guest Rooms

The little added touches guests love about a luxury stay are likely to go. Some hotel chains are likely to remove the minibar, due to the high risk of contamination between guests. On the hotel hand, the Radisson Hotel Group is implementing improved air circulation processes to increase air quality. Hilton has added an extra measure of assurance by placing a room seal on doors to indicate to guests that their room has not been accessed since bring thoroughly cleaned. Major hotel chains such as Hilton and Marriott are exploring the use of new technologies like electrostatic sprayers – which use an electrostatically charged disinfecting mist – and ultraviolet light to sanitize surfaces and objects. 

Hotels are also looking to remove de-clutter amenities such as pens, paper, and the guest directory; and supplement them with digital or available upon request options. The overall hotel experience may not be the same but enabling the personal well-being of guests and colleagues is the topmost priority of all hotel brands. 

Food & Beverage Outlets

Breakfast buffets will no longer be in existence, which will certainly increase hotel owners’ costs for food, but whether the guests will see an increase in room rates is unclear. Some hotel brands are likely to remove tables and chairs to allow additional space and installing partitions for communal tables. They might limit the capacity or will either remain closed or opt for quick grab-and-go service. Guests might have to arrange breakfast slots in advance if the hotel only has few tables due to social distancing measures. Shared condiments will most likely be gone and shared tables won’t be possible with anyone outside of your group to ensure the well-being of the guests throughout their stay.

Spa, Gym and Other Amenities

High-touch public areas such as spas and gyms will change the most – as they pose a high risk of contamination. Some hotels are planning to keep them closed altogether, while not all hotels have given up on those services.

Mandarin Oriental hopes to offer many of its personalized services, but they are still finalising the details, while others have suggested booked time slots in advance to reduce numbers. Guests may have to even pre book time at pools to avoid people standing outside and queueing for hours. Fluffy towels by the sun loungers are likely to disappear – supplement with disposable paper ones instead.

Sports and recreational areas are likely to be reduced services and smaller capacity, also sports such as tennis and golf can remain, as long as they maintain social distance between players, but strict cleaning procedures will apply to all aspects of the games.

Major brands such as Hilton have introduced guidelines for disinfecting the Fitness Centre, possibly closing multiple times daily after every use, also limiting the number of guests allowed in at one time. 

Hotels over the globe are going above and beyond to reassure guests have the most enjoyable experience throughout their stay. How quickly the guests will believe that the hotel they’ve selected for their stay is clean and safe?