Hotel Adjustments

Businesses of all shapes and sizes are dealing with social distancing and the writing is already on the wall, less money coming in.

However, social distancing affects them differently depending on the nature of the business. Hotels for example. Hotels are a shoulder to shoulder business right from tour buses full of out of town visitors, check in at the front desk, taking the elevator to the six floor, and meeting at the hotel bar in the evening.

Tour bus or not, front desk is always a hive of activity because other guests arrive in their cars or are delivered by cabs. How do hotels accommodate the six feet or two meters requirement? 

Do they renovate reception areas to factor in the six feet? Will that guarantee more guests? Renovation is not a solution right now, coming back after COVID-19 stopped operations three months ago.

Some minor renovations can take place, if hotels monitor what is happening in other businesses. Food stores, drugstores and bakeries have installed shields to minimize contact between customers and cashiers. Hotels can install shields at the front desk.

The next challenge is after checking in. They must take the elevator to their rooms or suites. How do they practise social distancing in the elevator? Some guests will understand, others will be irritated, despite knowing full well that COVID-19 is still around somewhere. It’s even worse if one elevator is out of service.

Let’s say guests are finally in their rooms and are so exhausted after the screening at airports, all they want is a shower and food. They call room service. There is none because hotels might decide not to open the kitchen until they are sure that everything is back to normal. 

Once again, hotels must have noticed that food stores have closed kitchens and wrap all baked goods in plastic. You cannot take a tong and pick up a dozen hamburger rolls, anymore. Another example are mega stores with popular eating areas. IKEA has partially opened but announced that their restaurants are still closed. 

Finally the bar. Hotels might not open the bar because they feel social distancing will keep customers away. Hotel chains have the money so they can move the furniture around to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions, smaller hotels might not survive at all.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.