The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced that hotels in Singapore will be able to restart operations. Before hotels can begin accepting guests, they will have to apply to reopen the premises for staycations, while ensuring that all Safe Management Measures (SMMs) can be complied with.
The application process can take up to 14 days to process. As of today (21 Jul 2020), only the following 80 hotels have been granted permission to commence staycation operations. Some notable properties include:
- W Singapore Sentosa Cove Hotel
- Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
- Sofitel Singapore City Centre
- Crockfords Tower
- Capella Hotel, Singapore
- Marina Bay Sands Singapore
- Oasia Hotel Downtown
- Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road
- PARKROYAL on Beach Road
- Raffles Hotel Singapore
- Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
- The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
- The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
- The St. Regis Singapore
- The Warehouse Hotel
- Fairmont Singapore
- Grand Hyatt Singapore
- Mandarin Orchard Singapore
- Marina Bay Sands Singapore
- The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
- Hotel Michael
- Orchard Hotel Singapore
- Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
- The Barracks Hotel Sentosa
- Ascott Orchard Singapore
- Equarius Hotel
- YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport
- Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
- The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
We should be expecting more hotels to be added to the aforementioned list in the near future, as more properties are likely to have submitted their applications in preparation for the resumption of hotel operations.
Hotels must demonstrate that the following can be adhered to, before approval can be given to recommence operations:
- Ability to meet density requirements
- Reduce face-to-face mingling among guests, between employees, and between staff and guests
- Ability to disperse crowds and prevent bunching
- Mandatory implementation of SafeEntry and encourage use of Trace Together
- Implement rigorous cleaning and disinfecting regimes, particularly for high touch elements
So what should guests expect given the stringent guidelines mentioned above? For one, we will have to contend with a new normal when it comes to hotel stays, from arrival to departure.
Upon arrival, guests will be screened for fever and other respiratory-related symptoms before being allowed to check in. Those who refuse to comply with the screening procedure, or are under a Quarantine Order (QO) or Stay-Home-Notice (SHN), will not be permitted to check in. There may be staggered timings allocated for guests to check in on any particular day as well, to avoid any crowding at the hotel lobby area.
Once checked in, guests can expect to use contactless access cards to get around the premises. Common areas will also be subject to additional restrictions in order to minimise any physical interaction between guests from different rooms. This includes facilities such as fitness centres, swimming pools, and hotel lounges.
During the stay, guests will have the option to opt-in should they require any housekeeping service. In-room dining will probably take the form of packaged food items with disposable cutlery. Minibar items may also only be provided upon request in packaged form delivered to your doorstep.
Rooms will be subject to deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery, and treatment of bed linen at high temperatures once guests check out, in preparation for the next occupant. Expect hospital-grade disinfectants to be used during the cleaning process, and for adequate disinfecting agents like hand sanitisers and wipes to be provided for guests during their stay.
So overall, it looks like the experience as a hotel guest will take on a completely different form once hotels reopen to staycation guests in the near future. However, we will have to make do with these measures until such time the SMMs can be relaxed further. Do keep track of the list of properties allowed to reopen to plan your next staycation.