Changes for UK hotel guests after lockdown include caps on spa visits, no cash tips and carrying your own bags
NEW rules for hotels in the UK suggest a much less hands-on experience for guests after lockdown with reduced services and facilities.
UKHospitality, a trade association that represents the interests of the UK's hospitality sector, has issued a range of proposals for when Britain's restaurants, pubs, theme parks and hotels reopen.
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The new proposals all but remove any contact between guests and staff, to reduce coronavirus risks.
The trade body issued the 75-document proposal to the government, as much of the hospitality industry hopes to reopen by July.
One proposal suggests room service be left at the door, instead of set up in bedrooms, with a disinfected table or luggage rack as a last resort.
Lifts will be used minimally, key cards are to be deposited for disinfection and hotel staff are to drop handshakes altogether.
While gyms and spas may be able to resume, capacity is expected to be limited, while swimming pools and spa access may need to be booked in advance.
There will also be less equipment in the gyms, with some gyms elsewhere in the world opting for privacy screens to separate people exercising.
Guests will also be asked to change in their hotel rooms and not the changing rooms to reduce crowding.
Experts have previously warned that the buffet will be the first to go, due to the high risk of contamination, but even condiments and cutlery will be strictly cleaned and limited, most likely wrapped in individual packaging.
Like a large menu? Restaurants may reduce food options to keep contact low in kitchens, with just a few dishes available.
Queueing at the hotel bar may also be over for now, with table service expected to be offered instead
The latest guidelines are just some of the ways that the hospitality industry is looking at being able to safely restart by July.
However, they are not mandatory, and are currently only recommendations.
Resorts around the world are thinking of other measures to be introduced, such as robot staff, mandatory face masks and the removal of items such as poolside towels, bedroom rugs and even pictures.
Disinfectant mats may be employed in hotels in Spain, as well as social distancing floor markings, according to Hosbec, the hotel association for the Costa Blanca and Valencia.
Some hotels have removed additional bedding and even room service to reduce infection.
Rudy Tauscher, general manager of the Four Seasons in New York told NBC: "We removed minibars, excess hangers, excess linens, we took extra pillows out, so there are four per room, instead of six."
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Technology is also expected to be much more prevalent at hotels, such as online check-ins and app-based key cards.
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