This article was published in June 2020. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation is fluid and travel restrictions may change frequently. Contact a travel advisor for the latest information about your travel plans before staying at hotel during COVID-19. Also see our article: Questions to ask yourself before traveling during COVID-19.
We traveled recently to a luxury resort in Texas to experience travel in the age of COVID-19. Here is what we found!
Parking
If you do drive, you might want to consider self-parking instead of valet to limit your contact with people. Valet parking is available at some locations but may not be available everywhere it usually would be. In our experience valets wear masks, however you may want to ask about the use of gloves and if other cleanliness procedures are being followed.
Check-in/front desk
Hotels may require guests to have their temperature taken as they enter the hotel. In our experience, all hotel staff had masks. When we checked in at our hotel, the front desk agents wore masks and were behind plastic shields. They did not touch our ID or credit card, but did review them when we placed them on the counter.
We found that rooms were not always available at the normal check-in time due to increased cleaning procedures. Prepare for possible delays if you arrive shortly after check-in opens in the afternoon.
Room cleanliness
Daily housekeeping is not being performed, however rooms are sanitized after guest checkout. You may not receive typical in-room services that you are accustomed to, such as turn-down service, towel replacement, and bathroom cleaning. Some nonessential items that are touched directly by guests may have been removed from the guest rooms.
Amenities
Before you travel to your destination be aware of what amenities will be available at your hotel during COVID-19. Don’t travel all the way to your destination just to find out that the pool is closed or you cannot get your favorite spa treatment. At the resort we visited, both the pool and spa were open.
For travelers booking packages or upgraded room tiers, be sure to review the stated amenities and confirm availability with the hotel. We found that many room amenities are either no longer offered or modified due to COVID-19 restrictions.
We found the pool at a luxury resort in Texas to be open, including the pool bar. It was also quite popular and filled with guests much of the day. You may want to consider if you are comfortable in this type of environment, particularly if you are at risk for complications from COVID-19, due to reduced social distancing.
Dining
While restaurants in Texas are currently allowed to operate at 75% of seating capacity, restrictions vary in other locations. Do not expect seating uniformly spread throughout the restaurant. However, tables must be blocked to limit capacity to 75%. Many restaurants are still closed although we found most to be open now in Texas.
Expect extra wait time when you arrive without a reservation. If dining is high on your priority list, be sure to plan ahead and make a reservation.
Note that hotel room service is generally still unavailable to minimize direct contact between staff and guests. However, to-go orders are possible from the on-property restaurants.
Should you travel now?
While we understand that many people are reluctant to travel during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, it is still possible and many are choosing to do it. We encourage all travelers to assess their own personal risk level and plan accordingly before staying at a hotel during COVID-19. Please contact a travel advisor to discuss your specific needs and concerns so that you have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.