Small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts were hit hard by the pandemic. The lockdowns forced them to close their doors, causing some to go out of business altogether. Meanwhile, those that stayed opened to accommodate health workers and quarantined tourists were overwhelmed by the new protocols. Every staff and guest had to go through temperature checks daily. Frequently touched surfaces were disinfected after every contact. And to reassure hotel guests that their stay will be risk-free, the staff had to show off those disinfecting efforts.
Before the pandemic, those actions would've been offensive. But now, they're defensive and necessary, and they put hotel guests at ease.
Now that many countries started lifting their travel bans, small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts saw a surge in bookings again. But the stringent health protocols are not going anywhere. Even if we already have a vaccine, hotel staff and guests cannot let their guards down yet. If anything, they have to be more careful. That applies especially to hotels because they need to increase their cleaning and disinfecting efforts to avoid viral transmissions occurring on their premises.
That said, though the pandemic is far from over, here are some post-pandemic pointers for small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts:
1. Wash Linens With the Warmest Appropriate Water Setting.
The CDC recommended that hotel housekeeping staff use the warmest appropriate water setting for their various laundries. The team should also wear gloves while handling both clean and dirty laundry. They shouldn't shake used linens, for it may spread viruses in the air.
Warm water mixed with soap has been proven effective in deactivating COVID-19. The hotter the water, the better. The CDC states that a water temperature of 75 °C can kill most flu viruses.
But of course, don't disregard the manufacturer's instructions on washing linen. Just increase the water's temperature as an additional measure.
2. Consider Stress Among the Staff.
As bookings rise again, stress may spread among the staff. After all, they have to protect their own health too, which can be hard to do while focusing on the guests' safety. The pressure may cause them to feel like they're underperforming, especially if a guest nitpicks on the hotel's safety protocols.
The CDC advises hotel staff to pay attention to their stress. They should seek their workplace's resources on managing their well-being. They can also check out CDC's website on mental health management during the pandemic.
3. Consider Making Rooms "Smart."
Some hotels already started incorporating Smart Home systems in their guestrooms. Such technology will allow keyless rooms, hands-free controls, wireless device charging, and more. If guests want concierge services, they can press a few buttons on their mobile device instead of using the intercom.
Guests can also issue voice commands to control the electronics in their rooms. If not, then their smartphones can act as a remote control for everything. From turning on the lights to adjusting the A/C's thermostat, they may no longer touch anything other guests have also used.
This trend is not yet booming in the hotel industry, but we can expect it in a few years. Since the new normal may stay with us after COVID-19, contactless systems will continue to thrive.
4. Increase Sustainability Efforts.
Though green businesses are nothing new, the number of consumers growing more aware of the environment is steadily rising. These include hotel guests. They're no longer satisfied with reusing their towels. Today, they're choosing to support hotels with green practices in all aspects of their business.
Small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts can start with eliminating plastics. They should replace their plastic straws, plastic toiletry packaging, plastic water bottles, and plastic takeout bags with reusable alternatives. Most major hotel chains already began this change, and in California, plastics in hotels are now entirely banned.
Many environmental measures may be harder to carry out these days, considering the hotel industry's need to prioritize health and safety. But it doesn't mean small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts shouldn't try. They can obtain a LEED certification, conserve water, and put up recycle bins in guestrooms, in addition to banning plastics.
5. Offer More Meaningful Experiences Than Material Things.
Travelers these days are looking for places that will give them a meaningful experience. They value those over material things. So while small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts shouldn't downgrade their services, they shouldn't focus on luxury either unless their market seeks it.
For example, instead of mimicking a 5-star hotel with luxurious linens and fine dining, budget hotels should invest more in wellness offers. Examples of such are yoga classes, surf camps, wildlife encounters, and glamping. All while offering clean, disinfected, and secure guestrooms, of course.
These post-pandemic measures will surely bring back the prosperity of small lodgings and bed-and-breakfasts. After all, the actions don't just ensure health and safety, but also the well-being of both staff and guests. And one important thing businesses learned during the pandemic is to care for their employees' and customers' well-being.