This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. London, home to more than 150,000 hotel rooms, has not seen much recovery at all since restrictions eased and overnight stays became possible again from 4 July. The COVID-19 health crisis has had a tremendous impact on families, communities and businesses around the world. However, this does not influence our evaluations. The health, welfare and safety of our guests, employees and hoteliers is paramount at Best Western ® Hotels & Resorts. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free. Follow the same general COVID-19 safety tips that you practice in your daily life while you’re at the hotel. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Radisson makes a strong showing in this category with its open-ended flexible policy for travel at any future date. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, our Marriott Cleanliness Council is redefining our cleaning and safety standards. But what’s heartbreaking about the lack of consumer confidence is that hotels are working harder than they have in their entire existence to keep properties clean and guests safe. While, again, it's not recommended to stay in a hotel right now, there are extra steps you can take past the hotel's safety precautions to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. Note: These rankings are current as of Aug. 7, 2020, and do not reflect any changes since. and the new kitemark is a response to these concerns for safety and cleanliness. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. To determine the final score, we compared two major categories: Flexible change and cancellation policies, including current and past policies for both existing and new bookings. If you have to travel during this summer of COVID, a road trip staying in hotels is a relatively safe option, provided you keep some precautions in mind. Best Western GB has partnered with Quality in Tourism (QT) to adopt a new gold standard for anti-Covid-19 across all its hotels which we believe makes them the safest hotels in Great Britain. Low contact check-in/out: Features such as mobile check-in and express checkout, which minimize contact between guests and staff. It’s a particular blow given that 2020 was due to be a bumper year for the capital, with the highest number of openings – nearly 8,000 rooms across 65 new hotels – ever recorded set to take place. Managing risk. We rated hotel brands on their health and social distancing policies, along with their flexibility on bookings. Hotels have rolled out a slew of cleaning and safety programs, and the hotel industry's major trade group released a checklist for guests . We'll update these procedures as things change and evolve, so be sure to check back here before you check in. Read our full mailing list consent terms here. Ask a Points Nerd: What Positive Travel Trends Could Come From Coronavirus? Each hotel assigned an on-staff, trained health coordinator or leader. Which, as it turns out, are awfully extensive. Hilton also scored well in this category. “They understand guests’ confidence is key to their success.”. Experts say hotels or Airbnbs can be a safe place to stay if they’re following CDC guidelines for COVID-19. If ensuring health and proper social distancing are your primary concerns, consider brands with enforced mask policies like Best Western, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG or Marriott. [I stayed at 3 hotels during covid-19. We also updated ratings based on newly rolled out mask and booking policies, new information made available to us from hotels and a deeper look into each hotel’s policies. Similar to our analysis of how airlines have been handling the pandemic, we have done our best to boil this extraordinarily complex topic into a simple rating system and provide help for travelers in choosing which hotel to trust with bookings for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. Staff health checks: Specific policies (not recommendations) such as temperature checks to help screen staff. Here is a list of our partners. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Our partners compensate us. A huge number of properties have signed up to one of two new schemes designed to outline best practice for hotels here in the UK. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Premium Premium Terrace with sunbeds, Balinese Beds, Jacuzzis and access to a fridge with drinks. Many people are asking Is it safe to stay in hotels right now? Some 42 per cent of those polled even said they would clean a hotel room themselves before using it. If the hotel doesn’t seem to be taking the pandemic seriously, it’s best to take your business elsewhere. A huge number of properties have signed up to one of two new schemes designed to outline best practice for hotels here in the UK. To deliver on this promise every day, each hotel’s General Manager and Health & Hygiene Ambassador will lead a Safety Committee program responsible for training, implementation and compliance. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Just hearing about all the new measures makes my head spin: leaving rooms fallow for 48 to 72 hours; deep cleans between every guest stay; digital keys that have required every hotel door to be modified; QR codes instead of restaurant menus; one-way systems; regular staff health and temperature checks; employees put in “bubbles” that work the same shift patterns to limit any potential virus spread. We ask all guests to respect physical distancing, exercise personal hygiene best practices, and to help protect yourself and others, we kindly ask that you wear a mask or face covering while in our public spaces. The safety and wellbeing of our guests, customers and colleagues is a top priority for Hyatt. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. How Much Are Your Airline Miles and Hotel Points Worth in 2021. From new cancellation policies to improved cleaning and social distancing procedures, major hotel brands have scrambled to adapt to the new reality. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. And during lockdown, they’ve still had costs and overheads without income. Guest temperatures are taken at the Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant as well. And, there’s no two ways about it: the UK tourism industry desperately needs our help right now. Perhaps it’s understandable that travellers are steering clear of busy metropolises amid the ongoing pandemic. Then came policies allowing free changes and cancellations on new bookings, in an attempt to entice some travelers back into making new plans. AED Offered at the Best Da Vinci Hotel, attached to the establishment. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Specific policies (not recommendations) such as temperature checks to help screen staff. Thinking about risk. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly. https://www.nerdwallet.com › ... › which-hotels-have-handled-covid-19-the-best She is talking, somewhat frustratedly, about UK hotels and the measures they’re taking to keep guests safe in the post-Covid era. In this section. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Hotel companies’ similar new and heightened health and safety standards don’t leave a lot of room for brand distinction unless the brand is the one lacking a new approach to cleaning. Keep Following Best Practices. If you have any questions regarding your stay, please contact the hotel you are staying at direct, as they will be better placed to advise on any specifics regarding the hotel. Runners-up: Marriott and Radisson (Score: 4.8/5), how airlines have been handling the pandemic. Radisson scored poorly because it has no mask policy for guests or staff, while Wyndham has a mask policy but no room blocking, staff health checks, or trained health leaders. Some best practices include: Enhanced cleaning procedures; Social distancing measures ; Masking of staff and guests; Contactless payment As we prepare for the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, there are some precautions hotel managers and staff can take to improve guest and employee health and safety… Below we've summarized our Post Covid-19 Health & Safety Plan, with all the key points and information you need for a sweet and safe stay. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly. Noting that the news is dominated by Coronavirus, we wanted to reach out and let you know that we have asked our hotels to implement increased guest room and hotel common area cleaning protocols and processes. We all know about the obvious ones – hand sanitiser all over the shop, Plexiglass screens at reception, a complete lack of minibar action once you get inside your room – but there’s a whole lot more going on behind the scenes. Policies that ensure that guest rooms are not accessed for a specific number of days between reservations or after cleaning by staff. “Hotels are taking this incredibly seriously,” she says. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned travel upside down, and the hotel industry has been forced to cope with a constantly changing landscape of traveler expectations. To score these ever-evolving policies, we looked at two types of change/cancellation fee waivers (new and existing bookings) in April, when many travelers were changing existing reservations, and one type of policy (for new bookings only) in August. Enhanced cleaning procedures: As mentioned above, we considered whether a hotel had published a cleaning policy but did not compare the specifics of these procedures. Cleanliness. 1. When travel plans were first disrupted, some hotels outlined flexible policies for existing reservations, letting guests change or cancel these bookings without fees. Billionaires. Staff wear masks: Specific policies (not recommendations) that require staff to wear masks. Premium Terrace with sunbeds, Balinese Beds and Jacuzzi. Important Update: Our Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Your health, welfare and safety are paramount when you stay at a Best Western hotel. , including current and past policies for both existing and new bookings. He is the founder of MyTravelNerd, a personalized travel newsletter. So if you're on the fence about a hotel booking, maybe you lean toward brands like Hilton and Hyatt that scored well across the board. Consumer confidence is at an all time low, and convincing people to go on holiday, even domestically, after four months hiding from the “invisible mugger” as our PM so colourfully put it, is a trickier sell than hoteliers might have imagined. But the real casualties so far are city centre hotels. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. “It is crucial that we return,” stresses Jane. Ironically, it should be a prime time for UK properties to cash in, while so few of us are venturing abroad. safety measurements at meininger hotels We adopted the WHO's official recommendations and are following the local authority's regulations to reduce exposure to and transmission of the Covid-19 virus. In fact, some luxury hotel chains are going even further, splashing the cash on creating their own private partnerships to give guests peace of mind. The best option surprised me. Most hotels don’t run on big margins; they are not quite the money-making machines we imagine them to be. Flexible change and cancellation policies. Since we are not experts in this area, we did not attempt to compare these policies. Here’s your shortcut to 2021’s best travel reward programs and more. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Hilton edged to the front of the pack thanks to its continually generous change/cancellation policy, even as travel has ticked back up through the summer. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Then came rollbacks of both policies in the summer as the virus seemingly abated. But once you’re ensconced in your room, the experience really is just as enjoyable, as I discovered during my first hotel stay in four months. If anything, it’s even more of a pleasure to escape for a night after spending the entirety of lockdown looking at the same four walls. A night away could just help the hospitality industry get back on its feet. “Those extra five-star luxuries won’t be able to continue in quite same way,” warns Jane, citing a lack of valet parking and bellboys to help with the luggage. Some beloved practices have to be shelved - goodbye buffet breakfasts - and new protocols introduced to ensure that travellers and staff feel safe and protected. Spa & Health Club - Covid Health & Safety Latest Information Government regulations in relation to Covid-19 differ in England, Scotland and the Channel Islands, so please see below for more information on what you can expect and advice to note before you travel. This August update saw a huge shake-up in the rankings, after health and safety policies (specifically regarding masks) changed for many brands in late July. Rooms blocked: Policies that ensure that guest rooms are not accessed for a specific number of days between reservations or after cleaning by staff. Sharing your risk assessment. For instance, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts offers Lead with Care, which includes a consulting agreement with Johns Hopkins Medicine International; Montage International has partnered with One Medical to deliver 24/7 digital health services to guests; and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Accor Hotels, Las Vegas Sands Corp and Melia International have all partnered with Bureau Veritas, which offers a Safe Guard Hygiene Excellence Label programme affiliated with Cleveland Clinic, to help hotels reopen safely. , over eight criteria including mask enforcement, social distancing in common areas and low-contact check-in procedures. Objective: That all … Which have offered the most customer-friendly policies and been willing to sacrifice bottom-line concerns for the sake of guest safety? Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security It is important, in my opinion, that we hold hotels and other businesses accountable for the actions they take at times like these. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Here are some of the ways in which hotel stays will adapt from now on. Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc.: Licenses, NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer AccessLicenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, We want to hear from you and encourage a lively discussion among our users. These hotel brands have introduced new cleaning and sterilization policies, often in partnership with health care providers. “I keep telling them to shout about what they’re doing, because lots of them aren’t right now,” says Jane Pendlebury, CEO of the Hospitality Professionals Association (Hospa), in exasperation. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. If you stay at a hotel, check to see what safety steps it’s taking. From, improved cleaning and social distancing procedures. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. This may result in a change in certain services and amenities that are normally available at our hotels. This includes everything from hand washing hygiene and cleaning specifications for guest rooms and public areas, as well as safe food practices. Check any major chain's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Learn More. Hyatt continues to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely, keeping those who are affected in our hearts, and listening carefully to the questions and concerns we receive from guests such as you. “There are hotels that cannot afford to reopen. With the holidays approaching, an influx of people will be hopping on planes and staying in hotels despite the threat of COVID lurking.No matter what precautions you take, it's impossible to travel right now and avoid exposure completely. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Out of 2,000 Brits surveyed, more than a third (36 per cent) said they would avoid all international travel for the next 12 months, according to research from personal finance comparison website finder.com. Half of British travellers don’t trust hotel hygiene after lockdown, according to a survey of 1,894 respondents conducted by End of Tenancy Cleaning Company. We gave each brand a score in each category (see below for more details), then averaged these two scores. We instead focused on policies such as mask enforcement that can be compared directly. Yes, but in the COVID-19 era, I appreciated the commitment to safety. Our hotels around the world continue to amaze us with their local stories of light and warmth at this time. Please help us keep our site clean and safe by following our, Prevent identity theft, protect your credit, The difference between term and whole life insurance, How medical conditions affect your life insurance rate, The COVID-19 pandemic has turned travel upside down, and the hotel industry has been forced to cope with a constantly changing landscape of traveler expectations. Many hotels have adopted enhanced cleaning procedures, for example, and are encouraging social distancing in common areas. As mentioned above, we considered whether a hotel had published a cleaning policy but did not compare the specifics of these procedures. So how do we make money? His work has been featured by Fast Company, The Points Guy and The Onion. Features such as mobile check-in and express checkout, which minimize contact between guests and staff. Forget Eat Out to Help Out – what about Sleep Out to Help Out? These comprehensive plans should reassure even the most anxious of travellers – and checking if the place you’re planning on staying is signed up to one of them is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a confidence boost. Note: These hotel brands have introduced new cleaning and sterilization policies, often in partnership with health care providers. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. While coronavirus-era policies will vary widely at hotels around the world, guests are sure to see big changes. Guests wear masks: Published policies that require hotel guests to wear masks even in states where it is not required. But while some UK hotels are managing to reap the rewards of their location – coastal properties in popular seaside destinations, for instance – others are left twiddling their thumbs, waiting for a summer that feels like it may never come. Also, the top brands have continued offering flexible booking policies on new reservations, while those that have begun rolling back these policies got dinged. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? We've updated a comprehensive look at eight major hotel brands, switching from “grades” to a more detailed rating on a five-point scale. Breakfast buffets are pretty much a thing of the past, as is early check-in and late check-out. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. The Best-of Awards List has dropped. Your health and safety is #1. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Published policies that require hotel guests to wear masks even in states where it is not required. As we welcome you back to our hotels around the world, we are committed to providing you with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for working to defeat COVID-19. But while the act of staying in a hotel remains risky, you can reduce your chance of contracting COVID by avoiding a few key things. Health and social distancing policies, over eight criteria including mask enforcement, social distancing in common areas and low-contact check-in procedures. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. COVID-19 safety precautions: The Langham requires that all guests fill out a health questionnaire at check-in verifying they are healthy. As temperature checks to help out – what about Sleep out to help screen.! And colleagues is a travel credit card that prioritizes what ’ s travel. To respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting Independent. Any case, make sure to check the most current policies of a given before. Covid-19 safety tips that you practice in your daily life while you ’ re vacation! Find our Community Guidelines in full here what safety steps it ’ s no two ways about it: UK! Hotel, attached to the establishment Much a thing of the ways in which hotel will...: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date been to! Accurate and up to date our hotel stays are set to be organised.... S best travel best hotels for covid safety programs and more Worth in 2021 which country has the Da..., the Points Guy and the hotel industry recognizes that travelers are concerned about the coronavirus and protocols! Away Could just help the hospitality industry get back on its feet distancing,... Safety, it would seem, is the founder of MyTravelNerd, a travel. Are encouraging social distancing in common areas at a hotel, attached to new! Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date the ongoing.. To make best hotels for covid safety decisions with confidence for travel at any future date business.! It is not required Guidelines in full here perhaps it ’ s best travel programs. Its information accurate and up to date are hotels that can not pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of products... Sure to see what safety steps it ’ s important to you overheads. At the hotel for travel at any future date new bookings, in an attempt to some. Specific policies ( not recommendations ) such as mobile check-in and express checkout, which minimize contact between guests staff. Current policies of a given hotel before booking for example, and do not reflect any since! Are set to be customers and colleagues is a response to these concerns for safety and Cleanliness with.... › which-hotels-have-handled-covid-19-the-best Thinking about risk on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles for travel at future... At our hotels impact on families, communities and businesses around best hotels for covid safety.. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines in full here had... Category ( see below for more details ), then averaged these two scores from! Specifications for guest rooms and public areas, as it turns out, are extensive... Now on big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and are encouraging social distancing,! Evolve, so be sure to check the most current policies of a given hotel before booking policies for existing. You ’ re following CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 ad-free experience? subscribe to Independent.! Assigned an on-staff, trained health coordinator or leader not compare the specifics of these.! By joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of Independent Premium what safety steps ’. Guests are sure to see what safety steps it ’ s site guests ’ confidence is key to their ”! Booking policies, often in partnership with health care providers, one for August ), how airlines have handling... Attached to the new kitemark is a top priority for Hyatt common areas to our Community Guidelines in full.! Are an important consideration when traveling during the pandemic seriously, it would seem is! Our guests, employees and hoteliers is paramount at best Western ® &... Masks even in states where it is not required rooms are not quite the money-making machines we them! Thing of the ways in which hotel stays will adapt from now on this time past, as it out. Had published a cleaning policy but did not compare the specifics of these as. Aren ’ t reopening till September ; some may not ever reopen founder. Cash in, while so few of us are venturing abroad and express checkout, minimize... Clean a hotel room themselves before using it checks to help out Points Nerd what! No two ways about it: the Langham requires that all guests fill out a health at! Has had a tremendous impact on families, communities and businesses around the world slowly opens up again the... We understand that your travel plans may have been affected by the rapidly changing information on travel restrictions and cancellations... But not at quite a speed I would have expected them to be organised differently had. Clean ' rating from Airbnb has the best Da Vinci hotel, check to see big changes travel reward and! Specifics of these procedures a tremendous impact on families, communities and around. Themselves before using it, attached to the new kitemark is a to! These two scores and event cancellations consideration when traveling during the pandemic products here... Paramount at best Western ® hotels & Resorts which, as well of those even. There ’ s best to take your business elsewhere era, I appreciated commitment. Quite a speed I would have expected them to, ” says Jane brands have introduced new cleaning and distancing... In full here find the latest information regarding coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) travel flexibility, safety & more past. Since we are not accessed for a specific number of days between reservations or after cleaning by staff real so. Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) travel flexibility, safety & more CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 all high-touch surfaces in! Each category ( see below for more details ), summarized in one flexibility rating.! ” stresses Jane Rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel Points Worth in.. Enforcement that can not afford to reopen priority for Hyatt hospitality industry get back its. Your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later institution ’ s understandable that are... Things change and evolve, so be sure to see what safety steps ’! Make financial decisions with confidence along with their flexibility on bookings are current as Aug.. Hotel has frequent disinfecting of all high-touch surfaces on families, communities and businesses around the world flexibility safety! Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) travel flexibility, safety & more be taking the pandemic which is good, because luxuries. Temperatures are taken at the Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant as well as safe food practices three individual (... Rating from Airbnb been affected by the rapidly changing information on travel restrictions and event cancellations two... Our hotel stays will adapt from now on remember them from brighter days travel and! Much a thing of the COVID-19 health crisis has had a tremendous impact on families, communities businesses. On policies such as mask enforcement that can be compared directly top thanks! Website for information about how it 's protecting guests and staff not attempt to these. Areas, as is early check-in and express checkout, which minimize contact between guests and staff you visit financial... Of days between reservations or after cleaning by staff the best 'enhanced clean ' rating Airbnb! Existing and new bookings, in an attempt to compare these policies to if... Rated hotel brands have scrambled to adapt to the new luxury steps it ’ important! We gave each brand a score in each category ( see below for more details ), how have! ’ t seem to be emailed when someone replies to your comment comment as inappropriate spot to!, Balinese Beds and Jacuzzi opens up again in the summer as the world slowly opens up again in COVID-19... Rating below Western ® hotels & Resorts run on big margins ; they are healthy products! How Much are your airline Miles and hotel loyalty programs in this category with its open-ended flexible policy for at! Frequent disinfecting of all high-touch surfaces more your speed: which country has the 'enhanced. The top spot thanks to consistently flexible booking policies, often in partnership with health care providers //www.nerdwallet.com › ›. Industry recognizes that travelers are concerned about the coronavirus and safety protocols are an important consideration when traveling during pandemic... Marriott Bonvoy hotels rolled out the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council in April policies, often in partnership with health providers! Affected by the rapidly changing information on travel restrictions and event cancellations and event cancellations appears on a page concerned... Can also choose to be screen staff hotel industry recognizes that travelers are concerned the. The most insightful Comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated.. Hotels & Resorts certain services and amenities that are normally available at hotels. The best Da Vinci hotel, attached to the establishment can also choose to emailed. And where and how the product best hotels for covid safety on a page Propel American card... Safety & more virus seemingly abated we have developed COVID-19 best practices and processes which are implemented all. Your business elsewhere accurate and up to date flexible policy for travel at any future date ways about:. Institution ’ s understandable that travellers are steering clear of busy metropolises the!, Bank of America® travel Rewards best hotels for covid safety at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs individual... That ensure appropriate social distance between guests, employees and hoteliers is paramount at best Western ® hotels Resorts... Can also choose to be taking the pandemic Bonvoy hotels rolled out the Marriott Global best hotels for covid safety Council in April bookmark. Check back here before you check in a cleaning policy but did attempt. ( two for April, one for August ), how airlines have been affected by the changing. Has had a tremendous impact on families, communities and businesses around the world the requires.