5 Keys to Cleaning for Hotels to Reopen

We’ve started to work with hotels and management companies to help them come back online after this crisis begins to subside.  Everyone in the hospitality industry is looking ahead toward the other side of this period with a big question mark.  But there are some basics that we know will happen:

First, people will begin to travel and stay in hotels again.

Second, there will be a new normal when it comes to how we all get back online.

While there are many question marks in the future, there are some trends that we know hotels will need address moving ahead.  Here are 5 of essentials hotels will need to get back up online after this crisis subsides:

1.)  Deep Cleaning

If a hotel has been dormant for weeks or month, deep cleaning is key.  Dust collects, rooms need to be made, floor polished and upholstery and drapery may need freshening.  Depending on the length of time the hotel has been dormant and the level at which the hotel was closed, deep cleaning the entire property or a set of rooms may be in order.

2.)  Defect Repair and Reporting

In the normal course of hotel operations, challenges like burnt out light bulbs, plumbing repairs, and hardware failures are reported and fixed daily.  The last few weeks have been anything but normal.  Walking through a property to catch these items can help in getting a hotel guest ready and back online.  Auxiliary cleaning staff can help to keep an eye out for these defects and perform small maintenance or report more extensive repairs prior to an opening.

3.)  Evaluate Cleaning Protocols

Realistically, this crisis is not going to simply end.  The coronavirus causing COVID-19 will continue to impact society and expectations of cleaning will be heightened for the foreseeable future.  Looking at everything from chemicals used to clean to what amenities will be available in rooms will have to be evaluated and reconsidered.  The AHLA has some great resources citing the WHO and CDC for recommended protocols for hotels and restaurants as we enter this new era.  Having these cleaning protocols in place and training staff on new protocols will be essential  in this new era.

4.)  Offer Guest Assurance

Communicating to guest is always important, but as hotels look to reopen it will take on new importance.  Guests will want to know about enhanced protocols, chemicals used for cleaning, and what steps the hotel is taking front and back of house to maximize safety and protection.

5.)  Preparing for Future Outbreaks

Having a contingency for near-term outbreaks is key.  As contact tracing becomes part of the new-normal, hotels will have to prepare for guests that may have been infected and have a protocol in place for isolation and cleanup.  This may be involve communicating with guests, isolating rooms, and performing deep-cleaning.  Having a plan in place and a relationship with vendors that can provide deep-cleaning and/or COVID remediation is essential.

HSS, along with its parent company KBS, is working with hotels and management companies to plan for re-opening through deep cleaning, COVID remediation planning, and providing extra staff during re-openings.  For more information visit our COVID crisis page or contact us today.