What is it like to stay in a hotel right now

 

In the past few months, I have stayed at four different hotels across the country. First, I must tell you that I felt safe at all of them and have not gotten sick. The hotels that I stayed in were three Marriott brands and one Best Western. Some of them I paid for and some I used points and FREE night certificates or a combination. All of them have changed their policies and practices due to Covid. I'll run down some of the changes I saw and how it impacted my travels. 

The first hotel I stayed at was the Courtyard Marriott in Durham, North Carolina. The room appeared clean though I sanitized it myself with a natural disinfectant upon my arrival. There was no daily housekeeping service which was fine with me since I never have my room cleaned in order to be more green. Courtyard Marriotts do not normally include breakfast and to be honest, that's one of the main reasons I don't usually stay there. But this time, the rate was so reasonable and I wasn't sure what hotels that normally include breakfast were doing so I went for it. The cafe in the lobby was also closed, but the front desk was very happy to give me hot water every morning for my french press and they had FREE creamer available. I stopped at a grocery store and bought some fruit and muffins and I was set.  

The pool and fitness rooms were also closed. The lobby had a few tables available, but I hardly saw anyone there. I had a refrigerator in my room and a coffee maker. Only one person was allowed in the elevator at a time. To be honest, it felt like I was the only one in this hotel.

The second hotel I stayed in was the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel near the entrance gate of Bryce National Park. This hotel was a lot busier. I often had to wait for the elevator. Even though there were no signs, guests were careful to allow just one or two people into the elevator at a time. Again, the room appeared clean though I sanitized it completely with a natural disinfectant upon arrival. There was also no daily cleaning service. The room had a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. Now, this hotel comes with a daily hot breakfast so I was very curious to see how they would do it. Turns out, they had a full buffet behind plexiglass with servers putting food into take away containers. Picture Chipotle or Subway type line. There were a few tables nearby and most were full. I took my breakfast up to the room. The pool was open at this hotel and though we didn't use it, it seemed to be getting a lot of use. 

The third hotel was the Fairfield Inn and Suites Marriott by Virgin Zion National Park.  Same check-in procedure, front desk clerks were behind plexiglass and wore masks. I cleaned my room with a natural disinfectant. No daily housekeeping. The room included a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Signs posted at the elevator clearly advising only two people allowed in the elevator at a time. This hotel also included breakfast, but this time it was a takeaway bag with fruit, granola bar, and choice of cereal, bagel, English muffin, or oatmeal. There was a toaster available for customer use and the clerk was handing out cream cheese, jam, and butter upon request. Coffee was also available. The pool and hot tub were open at this hotel and I felt totally fine using them. Though the parking lot was full, the pool was empty. 

The fourth hotel was the Springhill Inn and Suites Durham Chapel Hill . Same check-in procedure as all the others. Again no daily housekeeping and the room came with a refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave. Signs posted at the elevator reminding guests that only two people allowed in the elevator at a time. Breakfast was a takeaway bag again, but this time it included a fruit, orange juice, muffin, granola bar, and two hard-boiled eggs. By the end of our stay, I had almost a dozen eggs so I picked up bread and mayo and we had a picnic in the park with egg salad sandwiches, yum! The pool and fitness rooms were closed at this hotel. 

So bottom line, most of the hotels are doing what they can and I felt totally fine staying in all of them. I brought my own disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and wipes, washed my hands, wore my mask, and had a great time.