Many owners have been able to evaluate their business models and practices and initiate new protocols for safety and wellness in this time and to reimage uses for both guestrooms and communal spaces. As we continue with various reopening phases throughout the country and world, hotels are well positioned to be at the forefront of community activities that can provide a level of much-needed variety and interaction.
Over the past 5 years, contactless check-in and checkout has been implemented by many hotel brands, and this is likely to increase in the COVID-19 marketplace. Other recent innovations such as touchless room door entry and room-service apps are likely to flourish. Robotic trials for room service have been conducted and may become a viable alternative as time goes on. Although such measures may seem to diminish traditional notions of hospitality, the level of human consideration behind them may redefine what we consider hospitable in the future.
Clean Design
Many hotel owners have taken advantage of this industry downturn by refurbishing spaces to focus on touchless systems, improved air filtration, healthy and sustainable building materials, and minimalistic design. By integrating these systems and principles, they increase both the perception and reality of safety and cleanliness.
Cleaning Protocols
As important as their own personal health is to guests, they also want to be assured that hotel employee health and safety is also being monitored and cared for. As workers learn and practice new protocols, it is crucial that they have access to proper protective equipment, heath screenings, additional hand washing stations, and designated areas for the donning and doffing of protective gear. Some hotels are even implementing virus-zapping robots in an effort to simultaneously protect guests and hospitality workers.
Reinventing And Reinvesting In The Future
One of the bright spots within this pandemic has been witnessing the hospitality industry devising ways to be of assistance, such as providing rooms for frontline healthcare workers and homeless populations, and providing temporary or overflow healthcare facilities. These initiatives open hoteliers up to envisioning a future where spaces are designed to be more multi-functional and quickly adaptable.
Connection To Nature And The Benefit Of Sleep
A focus on biophilia, the hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature, has been steadily increasing in all areas of architecture and design. If given the opportunity, planning convertible communal spaces that have the ability to be open air for certain seasons can promote well-being profoundly. A simpler approach is to utilize large scale windows to visually open an interior space to landscaped outdoor areas and to incorporate interior plants wherever possible. Creating a visual connection to nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and generally improve mental health.