As COVID-19 vaccinations begin to roll out around the world, those who lost out on a vacation in 2020 may be starting to think about the potential for some sort of holiday in 2021 with understandable excitement!
Whatever their reason for booking; whether it is a change of scene, visiting loved ones or an all-out holiday on the beach, now is a good time for both guests and hotels to prepare for their hotel stay. In this blog we wanted to outline the top considerations for guests planning a vacation and the hotels preparing for their arrival.
Things to consider for a 2021 vacation…
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Hotels have mastered cleaning protocols – We’ve seen some amazing initiatives from our customers in response to the pandemic to provide assurance to guests in the changes made to make guest stays safe. For example, the Montrose West Hollywood Hotel created a Peace of Mind Promise which is their pledge to deliver the very highest standard of cleanliness. As a guest, some of these changes may mean limitations in some of the services usually expected. For example, some hotels might not be offering room service, gyms may be closed, or limited hours and cleaning frequency may be increased or changed. However, many of the hotels we work with are being guided by their customers and as a result there is greater transparency and flexibility being introduced across the board to meet guests’ requirements. For some properties guests can opt-out of stayover cleans or schedule cleans for when they are not in the room.
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Managing guest expectations before arrival – For many guests, this may be the first time they’ve stayed at a hotel since the pandemic and so their expectations from their stay may still be the same as pre-COVID. For hotels it is vital that you communicate upfront the changes that have been made to cleaning and operations. The Don Cesar hotel has a dedicated Health & Safety page on their website to show the steps they’ve taken. This will ensure guest satisfaction without miscommunication and misaligned expectations.
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Technology will be central to the guest experience – As a guest, one of the biggest changes alongside new cleaning protocols may be the amount of contactless tech used across the hotel. For example, La Cantera Resort & Spa have enabled guests to use their app for remote check-in, keyless entry to their room, and to book and manage services across the property contact free. Many hotels we work with have found that investment in the right technology has made a significant difference in their ability to a safe and contactless experience for guests. Technology used behind the scenes of hotel operations is just as critical as the tech used for guest facing requirements. Hotels need to invest in tech that helps their operations work effectively, providing automation for lean teams to help save time and enable the operations teams to focus on delivering a memorable experience to guests.
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Prepare for different occupancy levels – Fluctuating occupancy levels has been one of the biggest challenges for hotels, and this may continue for some time as disease levels also fluctuate. Flexibility in your operations is key to be able to react quickly to low and high occupancy. Communication will also play an important role in making sure guests are aware that those properties with lower occupancy may have less employees on property so they will be working twice as hard to ensure they have the best stay.
Finally, the most important thing is to make the most of each guest stay. COVID-19 took a toll on the hospitality industry and hotels are just now starting to take a breath of fresh air. By working together and being understanding of the changes brought about by this crisis, we can help to rebuild our industry and make every guest stay memorable in the new normal.
Looking for a vacation within the US? Here are some outstanding hotel properties you will not want to miss!
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The Don Cesar Hotel– Escape to a coastal paradise, if you’re a resident looking for a local mini break check out the Florida & Georgia Resident rate or enjoy a relaxing weekend with the Spaliday package.
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La Cantera Resort & Spa – Looking for a romantic getaway? Head to Texas Hill Country, San Antonio where the Travel is Therapy package includes a range of services for a memorable wine, dine and unwind experience.
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Horseshoe Bay – A luxurious waterfront golf and spa resort on the shores of Lake LBJ. Check out a range of packages from Spa Escapes and Stay Your Way package to use resort credit on any activity you like.
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Montrose West Hollywood – Enjoy special offers for California Residents making the most of the private pool and panoramic views of Los Angeles.
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InterContinental NOLA – Explore New Orleans and book with confidence with the Book Now, Pay Later offer to make the most of your staycation.
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