With places slowly opening up, staycations look to be the popular choice for families wanting to take a trip and salvage a holiday or vacation this year (and possibly into 2021). But what is the safest accommodation for families and what are hotel cleaning policies?
Self Catering
Self catering options within a rented house, camping in a caravan, lodge or glamping etc offer the greatest control with the most isolation opportunities. Even if places have been given a thorough clean before your arrival, you can of course bring your own sanitising supplies. If you are camping, try glamping in a caravan or lodge which has their own private toilet and shower facilities, rather than shared. Some excellent UK glamping sites for families are included here.
Airbnb is providing Hosts access to new step-by-step cleaning guidelines, which will cover recommended supplies, sanitization techniques, room-by-room instructions, and more. Hosts can commit to the protocol and let guests know that they’ve agreed to follow the new guidelines. Hosts who commit to the protocol will get a special highlight on their listing page, so guests will know they’ve agreed to follow more rigorous cleaning and sanitization practices. There will be further checks to see if this is being followed and guests can report if not.
StayCity are ensuring all areas and features are deep cleaned and sanitized prior to your arrival with agents effective against coronavirus, including everything from switches and electric controls to telephones, safes and hair dryers.
Post-cleaning, your room is sealed until your entry (with a special door sticker to indicate same), while their “Just Sanitized” labels give even greater peace of mind. Scatter cushions and throws, as well as items such as pencils and paper, are removed for now. Dishwashers allow you to re-wash crockery, cutlery and glassware to 70 degrees if desired. Furthermore, no staff access is required to your apartment. Rubbish and laundry are collected from outside, and fresh towels and bed linen, as well as laundry and cleaning packs including disposable cloths and anti-viral cleaning agents, are delivered to your door.
Hotel Cleaning Protocols
Hotels by their very nature are a lot busier but many hotels have already listed their cleaning protocols. Popular measures include enhanced cleaning of public areas and providing numerous hand sanitizing stations. Personal protective equipment is provided for hotel staff, including masks and gloves, to safeguard guests and employees
For example, Marriott properties will use electrostatic sprayers with high-grade disinfectant recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to treat known pathogens to sanitize surfaces.⠀
Jumeirah hotel group will offer sanitising and hygiene amenities in each guest room and include masks, sanitising gel and sanitising wipes. Rooms are to be left vacant for three days after each stay as an additional safety measure. Where this is not possible due to high occupancy, the room undergoes a complete fogging process. Pillows and duvets undergo a thermal hygiene process, and pillow and mattress protectors are changed after each checkout.
Find out what other hotel chains are doing from Butlins to Wyndham below.
So how can you find find the safest options for your family?
- Look for self catering properties, ideally those which have a clear cleaning protocol. But bring your own cleaning products as back up. High touch points will be light switches, TV remotes, taps/faucets, door knobs, fridge doors, oven handles etc.
- If you opt for a hotel, look at their sanitizing protocols which you will find on their website. Larger chains are likely to have this listed. The table belows lists several who have made their policies clear.
- Whether in a hotel or self catering accommodation, bring your own cleaning supplies for extra reassurance. High touch points at hotels will be elevator/lift buttons, door handles, TV remotes and taps/faucets etc. Take the stairs if you are not allocated a high floor room or wait for an empty elevator.
- Refuse housekeeping and opt for supplies to be left outside your room, including room service.
- Avoid busy areas and make the most of outdoor space.
| Hotel Company | Cleaning Guidelines |
|---|---|
| Airbnb | Answering top questions about the new cleaning protocol |
| Accor | ALLSAFE |
| AMResorts | Clean Complete Verification™ |
| Best Western | We Care Clean |
| Butlins | Policy |
| Center Parks | General News |
| Disney Resorts & Hotels | TBA |
| Four Seasons | Lead With Care |
| Hilton | Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection |
| Holiday Inn | See Clean IHG Promise |
| Hyatt | Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment |
| IBIS | See Accor ALLSAFE |
| ITC Hotels | We Assure |
| IHG | Clean IHG Promise |
| Jumeirah Hotels | Policy |
| Loews Hotels | Safety and Well being Protocols |
| Marriott | Commitment to Clean |
| National Trust Property Stays | Holiday FAQs |
| Omni | Stay A Part of Safety |
| OYO | Corona Concierge |
| Premier Inn | Clean Protect |
| Radisson Hotel Group | Protocol Overview |
| Ritz Carlton | See Marriott |
| StayCity | Stay Safe |
| Wyndham | Health & Safety Protocols |