Whether we like it or not, the new normal is here… and it’s here to stay. The hotel & hospitality industry was one of the hardest-hit in Canada and around the world. Covid-19 safety measures is the main agenda topic these days. It was a wake up call for all businesses and entrepreneurs. But, it can’t all be doom and gloom, right? They say change is good.
I don’t know about you, but I welcome extra sanitizing, cleaning and testing when it comes to places we eat, sleep or stay. Sometimes hardships speed us into things that we were already going towards…. and forces us to make decisions faster than we normally would. I believe this pandemic did that for us. Although we were not prepared for it, we will come out stronger. There is a light at the end of this tunnel and I believe we’re almost there.
However, if you’re like me, you’re itching to travel again now, but leaving the country might seem a little daunting right now. So why not keep it local and explore our beautiful Canadian cities. Here are 7 hotels that are taking effective, pro-active measures to ensure the safety and comfort of all their staff and guests.
Hotel X Toronto – Toronto, ON
Since Hotel X opened, this beautiful property has been labouring in making a stance in the city. Boasting incredible views of Lake Ontario with a 360 degree scenery of the Toronto skyline along with the best rooftop pool in Toronto.
The Hotel’s COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- Bellperson will disinfect your luggage handles before touching your luggage.
- NanoSeptic Self-Cleaning covers have been placed on all elevator buttons and handrails in addition to being cleaned continuously. This creates a “neutral zone” where no bacteria/virus can attach onto the surface.
- All guest touch points will be sanitized after each transaction including EMV Credit Card Devices, pens and countertops.
- Rooms will be left vacant between guest stays.
- All shared equipment and meeting amenities to be sanitized before and after each use, or be single-use if not able to be sanitized.
Hôtel Le Crystal – Montreal, QC
Hôtel Le Crystal is one of my favourite boutique hotels when travelling to Montreal. The location is pristine, right in the heart of the city. Added features like salt-water pool, outdoor hot tub and king beds in all the suites make it the perfect place for a couples weekend away.
The Hotel’s COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- The reception area has protective screens installed.
- Increased interventions to disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- No housekeeping services during the guest’s stay.
- All suites will be left vacant for the recommended time between each stay.
- Sanitary corridors will be established in public spaces.
Hyatt Hotels – Across Canada
Hyatt has managed to keep a consistent commitment to safety across all their properties in Canada & the globe. They’ve managed to keep a unified message throughout. The Hyatt has done this with an initiative called Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment. The program places a Trained Hygiene & Well-being Leader or team at all locations.
The Hotel’s COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- Additional measures are being taken with a focus on safety and peace of mind, such as touch-free options, more frequent sanitization with hospital-grade disinfectants, and exploring and testing the use of electrostatic sprayers.
- Reconfiguration of meeting room set-ups
- Knock-and-go contactless room service
- Mobile check-in and checkout
- Mobile Entry
- In-room Chromecast
- Curated meditations from Headspace
- Grab-and-go meal ordering
The Ritz-Carlton – Toronto, ON
This prestigious hotel never seems to disappoint when it comes to quality, service and hospitality. So we expect nothing less when it comes to safety measures. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto has its own additional measures in place. This is to ensure the local community of guests and residents are always kept safe and comfortable. In addition, all Marriott International’s properties are following the corporate guidelines. The brand has a commitment to delivering world-class service at all times.
THE HOTEL’S COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- Mobile check-in will be leveraged through the Marriott Bonvoy app and all key cards sanitized and disinfected prior to distribution
- Valet service and self-parking options will be available
- The spa & fitness centre will have staggered appointment times and modified floor plans to support physical distancing
- Electrostatic spraying technology will be used in public spaces in addition to deeper, more frequent cleaning of high-traffic and high-touch areas
- Peroxide multi-purpose disinfectant cleaners will be used on all surfaces of the rooms
- Marriott Bonvoy members are invited to use the Marriott Bonvoy App to take advantage of contactless options. This is available on the App Store and Google Play
Le Germain Hotel – Calgary, AB
I was introduced to this elegant, high-end boutique hotel a few years ago. I absolutely fell in love with it. There’s a certain class to their discrete nature and sophisticated approach to luxury, ’boutique-y’ hotels. Maybe it’s just me, but I always feel relaxed when walking into any one of their properties. The bathrooms and showers are definitely the highlight though… 😉
The HOtel’s COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- Protocols have been revised to ensure a contactless arrival and departure. Protective screens have also been installed at each hotel’s reception desk.
- Our hotels use cleaning products and protocols that have been approved for combating viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.
- To assure that your room is not contaminated, you are the only individual(s) who will enter it during your stay. All rooms are left vacant for the recommended period before being cleaned and reassigned, in accordance with our enhanced cleaning protocol.
- All employees have been trained in safety and sanitation protocols as they apply to COVID-19
Hilton Hotels – Across Canada
Hilton Hotels has done a phenomenal job in adapting to the new normal. They have partnered with RB, makers of Lysol® & Dettol®. This helps deliver an even cleaner stay for their guests with the creation of the Hilton CleanStay program.
The Hotel’s COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- Using hospital-grade cleaners, an additional disinfecting step is taken for several surfaces in the room. This includes all switches and electronic controls, handles and knobs, major bathroom surfaces and the remote control.
- Housekeeping inspector verifies the room meets the CleanStay standards. Then places the Hilton CleanStay Room Seal
- Check in, choose your room & skip the front desk with Digital Key, which provides access to your room key directly from your phone
- Both public and Team Member areas are cleaned at scheduled intervals. Hourly maintenance of high-touch areas like elevators and bathrooms
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – Québec City, QC
This iconic property is a must see for any travelers. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the holidays in December, you’re in for a very magical trip. Part of the Acoor Live Limitless (Formerly AccorHotels) group, they have taken big steps in safety to combat this pandemic.
The Hotel’s COVID-19 Safety Highlights:
- Launched the ALLSAFE label. This represents some of the most stringent cleaning standards & operational procedures in the hospitality industry.
- All Accor hotels must apply the global and regional standards. They are all audited either by the Group’s operational experts or third-party auditors to achieve the new ALLSAFE label.
- To further strengthen the hotels’ commitment to the care of all who visit, Accor has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with AXA. AXA is a global leader in insurance, offering medical support to guests across the 5,000 Accor hotels worldwide.
Feature Image: Hotel X Toronto
