Lockdown restrictions have slowly but surely eased over the last several weeks, making it possible for businesses across the country to open their doors.
Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave multiple hospitality businesses the go ahead to reopen from July 4, including bars, restaurants and hotels.
While these businesses can throw open their doors, there is a long list of guidelines and rules they’ll need to follow in order to be "Covid secure".
These rules include everything from increased cleaning measures to minimised lift usage and changes to room service.
According to SpaSeekers, post-lockdown hotel stays could be drastically different, with changes to check-ins, room amenities and even socially distant swimming pools.
Here’s what to expect next time you visit a hotel.
Changes to arrival and check-in
When hotels reopen holding doors open, taking your bags and a rush of other guests could be a thing of the past.
In order to open safely and protect staff and guests, hotels will be implementing social distancing measures.
Guests can expect to see staff in PPE, one-way systems, contactless check-ins and a reduced amount of furniture in hotel lobbies.
Fewer guests
Another safety measure will be the reduced capacity of guests, so not only could there be allotted check-in times but room gaps between guests to ensure there is a reduced chance of crossing paths
A 72-hour wait per room could also be introduced so that after cleaning and additional measures such as changing the bedding, the rooms will be sealed and no one allowed to enter until the next guest, ensuring cleanliness and peace of mind.
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Changes to rooms and amenities
There could be changes to the amenities in your room, including the reduction of reusable products, mugs and glasses changed to single-use items and the addition of hand sanitiser, gloves and disposable masks.
Changes to booking facilities
Since there will be fewer guests milling around the hotel, there should be more space at the venue’s facilities such as swimming pools, saunas and gyms.
Hotels may use an integrated booking system for the use of facilities in order to ensure they are used safely and with regular cleaning intervals.
Wellness surveys
Hotels may ask guests to fill in a wellness survey before visiting, asking questions about their health history.
Questions could include if guests have had any coronavirus symptoms, if they’re high risk or have been exposed to anyone with the virus in recent weeks.
Socially distant swimming pools
When it comes to the use of swimming pools there will be single lanes between swimmers to allow for distancing.
Guests will be asked to shower before and after using the pool and intense cleaning schedules will be in place between booking slots.
Bar reservations and room service
Restaurants and bars at hotels could be very different next time you visit, with reduced capacity and social distancing measures in place.
With limited space in restaurants, hotels may encourage guests to order room service, which could offer sealed drinks and food in disposable containers.
