From luggage cleaning to bespoke face masks, luxury hotel brand Kempinski has unveiled a new ‘white glove’ hygiene strategy to ensure anti-viral stays. Erica Jamieson reports
As Covid-19 continues to threaten traveller confidence around the world, hotels have begun instating new standards of cleanliness in a bid to assure prospective guests.
Since reopening a number of its hotels in April, Kempinski has introduced “White Glove Service”, a cleaning charter that outlines new hygiene measures to fight the spread of coronavirus.
Innovations include sanitising stations, luggage cleaning on arrival and professional air purifiers in all hotels, in addition to enhanced cleaning – from disenfecting “high-touch points” such as light switches and TV remotes, to washing room keys.
Another good idea is the option of long-term “privacy” signs (in addition to temporary “do not disturb” signs) to signal that staff should not enter their room for the duration of their stay. Room service deliveries will be left outside the door and no in-room cleaning will take place after check-in unless guests request it.
What are other hotel companies doing?
In the US, Hilton has teamed up with Reckitt Benckiser (RB), producers of Lysol and Dettol, and the Mayo Clinic, to creat new cleaning programme for the group’s 6,100 hotels.
The “Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection” programme offers advice on cleaning and training protocols using RB products, and assurance from experts at the Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team.
Standards will range from contactless check-in via smartphone, to UV and electro-static sanitation technology, and a “CleanStay Room Seal” on doors, indicating that rooms have not been accessed since a thorough, pre-arrival cleaning.
Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Radisson and Accorhotels have also launched cleaning charters. Initiatives will include leaving sanitising wipes and gel in guest rooms, regular scrubbing of hotel gym equipment and lift buttons, installing partitions at front desks, and delivering specially packaged meals to rooms. Buffets will be banned.
Meanwhile, Four Seasons has announced a collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medical International to validate its new global health and safety programme, Lead With Care. Measures it will be taking include:
- Restaurants and bars operating with reduced capacity to ensure adequate space and a socially distant set-up
- Nearly all restaurants providing a la carte service with digital menus wherever possible
- In-room dining with contactless delivery and sustainable, single-use packaging
- Rooms disinfected daily with EPA approved products and blacklight inspection
- Public areas cleaned hourly with extra attention to frequented areas including front desk counters and public restrooms