Four Seasons has partnered with Johns Hopkins Medicine International to define and create the brand's Lead With Care health and safety program.
Travel has been on a rollercoaster ride since March
Remember the days when you selected your hotel based on the destination you wanted to visit? The experience you wanted to create? The room or suite category you preferred for comfort? The travel pause seems to be ending for some, and we see a growing desire to hop in the car, jump on a short haul flight, or secure a private plane to alleviate quarantine fatigue. The question that many ask? "How can I feel safe staying in a hotel?" Four Seasons is helping to answer that question.
What we love about our partnership with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Since 1960 Four Seasons has been hosting clients with dedicated service, luxurious accommodations, and in over 100 unique city and resort settings around the globe. Four Seasons is a privately-owned hotel company who has shared its good-fortune with those in need. During the peak of New York City's Covid-19 crisis, The Four Seasons Hotel in midtown Manhattan provided free lodging to front line workers. Now Four Seasons has partnered with Johns Hopkins Medicine International to define and create the brand's Lead With Care health and safety program.
How Four Seasons is Implementing Safety and Comfort for Guests
By launching their Lead with Care program, Four Seasons has implemented new guidelines so guests can visit comfortably and safely. Many other leading hotels are implementing similar procedures to welcome guests.
Cleanliness standards have been enhanced with daily room disinfecting, blacklight inspections, hourly cleanings in public spaces like front desk counters and lobby restrooms.
Guest safety kits are being placed in guest rooms, providing masks, hand sanitizer, and wipes. Social distancing measures now guide guests with safe distances in the gym and spa, and contact-less check-in.
Hotel restaurants are now providing a la carte service as opposed to buffets, digital menus are being implemented, and contact-less in-room dining occurs.
Tips When Considering a Hotel Stay These Days
Now, more than ever, it is important to understand the details of your future hotel stay. Just because a property is "open" may not mean the experience is similar to past visits. Expectation management might translate into "happy visit" vs. "upset visit". Here are few things to consider:
It is important you work directly with someone who is located at the property, or a travel advisor who has a longstanding relationship with key property contacts. A call to general reservations may not provide the most up to date information.
Ask about the property's sanitizing practices. Does the hotel provide adequate hand sanitizing stations throughout the property? Or should you be packing your own supplemental sanitizer?
What are the guest screening protocols? Some hotels are requiring signed personal health affidavits, some are requiring negative Covid tests in advance of arrival, some destinations still have resident-specific travel restrictions.
What occupancy is considered sold out? Some hotels are only selling 30-50% of their total room inventory. This makes some guests feel more comfortable about social distancing, while other guests prefer a more active hotel or resort environment.
If the hotel has a pool, inquire about the policies around pool time. Are advance reservations needed for the pool? Is there a time limit at the pool? Will you be required to wear a mask at the pool?
In-room dining or restaurant dining? Some guests feel most comfortable dining in-room, with less public exposure. On the other hand, after quarantining for months, other clients are excited about dining in a restaurant and being served.
Is the property offering housekeeping? Some properties are waiving housekeeping to reduce interpersonal contact. And some hotels are only offering housekeeping when the room is vacant. Best to know if you need to make your own bed!
If there is a spa or gym on property, inquire about treatments. With potentially limited spa availability, you may want to secure those spa appointments far in advance.
Let our Partnership be Your Benefit: How to Upgrade Your Reservation at Four Seasons
Book with your Elli Travel Advisor or email vacations@ellitravel.com to unlock the following complimentary benefits:
Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant
USD 100 Resort credit per bedroom
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites, villas, and private residences)
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites