Expovision, The Hotel Reservation Office for NPE2021: The Plastics Show, has reached out to its hotel partners for the latest information on their cleaning and safety protocols during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Each of the 43 hotels in the official event hotel block have launched stringent practices that follow guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Governor and the city of Orlando.
Face coverings that cover the nose, mouth and chin are required in all indoor public areas. Amenities such as valet parking, complimentary breakfast and concierge may be reduced or currently not available. The major hotel brands and boutique properties share these similarities on ensuring employees’ and guests’ safety during COVID-19:
Enhanced Cleaning of “High-Touch” Surfaces
Expect to see an increase in both routine cleaning and hospital-grade disinfecting of “high-touch” surfaces in guest rooms. There is also less paper collateral provided. Surfaces that are rigorously cleaned are door handles, light switches, phones, faucets, mirrors, towel racks, TV remotes and more. Of course flooring, bedding and furniture are thoroughly cleaned as well. Enhanced cleaning can be found in these areas:
- Entrances
- Lobbies
- Front desks
- Elevator banks
- Guest rooms
- Public bathrooms
- Rec areas
- Restaurants, lounges, and buffets
- Meeting rooms
- Expo halls
- Fitness centers
- Pools
- Employee areas
Sanitation and Social Distancing in “High-Traffic” Areas
Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipe stations are provided at “high-traffic” areas for guests’ use, such as hotel entrances, lobbies and elevator banks. Guests and employees are reminded with floor decals to practice safe social distancing, which according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC is staying at least 6 feet away from others. These measures in “high-traffic” areas are important because COVID-19 is spread through close person-to-person contact in “respiratory droplets” (CDC).
Social distancing is also emphasized with more contactless customer service, especially when it comes to check-in. Some creative check-in alternatives include checking-in by Digital Key, curbside phone calls, mobile apps, drive-thrus and Plexiglas shields dividing the check-in staff and guests at front desks.
Select hotels are also offering Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) as new complimentary amenities. Wyndham Hotels give guests a free travel-sized hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes with your key card. Guest rooms in Marriott hotels have complimentary disinfecting wipes.
Rigorous Food Safety Measures
Expect reduced seating and proper spacing at restaurants and bars. Sanitation guidelines are applied to not only hotel restaurants and bars, but also to in-room dining, buffets, and banquets. There may be an elimination of buffets altogether. Room service rolling carts may be replaced with contactless food delivery or this amenity may not be available. Hotel employees are also getting in-depth training on food safety guidelines including preparation, sanitation and overall upkeep of kitchen cleanliness.
Exploring New Technologies
Major hotel chains are looking into two, promising new technologies. Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection is being researched to clean surfaces, floors, room keys, laundry facility equipment and PPE’s, such as face masks. Read more on sciencedaily.com to learn about UV LED’s. The Westgate Resorts are using Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) Disinfenant Fogging in any guest room suspected of COVID-19 contamination. This technology spreads safe cleansers through the air.
The hospitality industry is also starting to welcome electrostatic sprayers, including the Vista Cay Resort by Millennium. This is superior to traditional sprayers because it’s “more efficient, reduces waste, and delivers a more uniform distribution of liquids over uneven surfaces” (Environmental Protective Agency: EPA).
Learn More
| Brand (Alphabetical Order) | Coronavirus Protocol PDF | Hotel Property |
| Hilton | CleanStay | DoubleTree Hotel Orlando SeaWorld |
| Embassy Suites Orlando International Drive / 360 | ||
| Embassy Suties Orlando International Drive / Convention Center | ||
| Hampton Inn Orlando International Drive / Convention Center | ||
| Hilton Garden Inn International Drive North | ||
| Hilton Garden Inn Orlando SeaWorld | ||
| Hilton Orlando | ||
| Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center | ||
| Hyatt | Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment | Hyatt Place Orlando Convention Center |
| Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress | ||
| Hyatt Regency Orlando | ||
| IHG | Clean Promise | Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal |
| Marriott | Commitment to Clean | Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection |
| Courtyard Orlando International Drive / Convention Center | ||
| Courtyard Orlando Marriott Village | ||
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Marriott Village | ||
| Four Points Orlando Studio City | ||
| Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld | ||
| Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center | ||
| Residence Inn Orlando SeaWorld | ||
| Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort | ||
| SpringHill Suites Orlando Convention Center | ||
| SpringHill Suites Orlando Marriott Village | ||
| Paramount Hospitality Management | Guest Health and Safety Plan | Avanti Resort |
| Rosen Hotels & Resorts | Total Commitment | Rosen Centre Hotel |
| Rosen Plaza Hotel | ||
| Rosen Shingle Creek | ||
| Vista Cay Holidays | Keeping Our Guests Safe | Vista Cay Resort by Millennium |
| Westgate Resorts | WestgateCARES | Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa |
| Westgate Palace Resort | ||
| Wyndham Hotels | Count on Us | Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive |
Expovision Policies: Please note that the deadline to book, modify or cancel a hotel reservation is Friday, April 9, 2021. A deposit of first night’s stay per room plus tax is charged to confirm a reservation. Deposits are fully refundable if the room reservation is canceled by Friday, April 9, 2021. For Groups of 30+ rooms, the deadline to modify or cancel group room blocks is Friday, March 26, 2021.
Questions on your hotel reservation? Contact the NPE2021 Hotel Reservation Office (Expovision) at +1 866-523-2876 or at hotels@npe.org.
This post was last updated on 8.19.2020.
