What’s Happening in the World of Hotels

A Silent Retreat: Aman is ready to open its doors to travellers in phases 
Aman Resorts is headed towards a phased re-opening across the globe, aligning their protocols with guidelines from the World Health Organisation and local government authorities. Culturally integrated luxury hideaways in remote destinations have always been Aman’s niche. Their existing architecture and design of standalone pavilions with private pools, low room count and minimum contact service works well in their favour, especially while reassessing travel in a post-COVID world. The properties are adapting to the new practices, yet remain unchanged in their spirit.

Aman’s properties have a global footprint of 32 hotels and resorts across 20 destinations, which is expanding soon. They also offer personal services like a private chef, housekeeper and concierge. Amanbagh and Aman-i-Khas in India are scheduled to re-open in September and October, respectively. See: aman.com

Private Escape: The entire property can now be reserved to avoid all unnecessary exposure 

With a design naturally welcoming social distancing, the Postcard Galle is embracing post-COVID changes. The hotel has created a ‘One Key’ access, assuring exclusive reservation of the entire property. The access ensures complete sanitisation of the premises, including the pool. Doing away with central air conditioning, each room and public space is now individually air conditioned. Post the pandemic, practices around sanitation and food handling have also been renewed. The hotel is not open for non-resident guests till 31 Aug, 2020. See postcardresorts.com

Care Package: Accor is offering a 30 per cent discount for health professionals 

Expressing their gratitude to frontline coronavirus warriors—health professionals—Accor has launched a new friends and family discount. The offer provides a 30 per cent discount on the best available rate for a hotel room, and is valid across all Accor properties in India and Sri Lanka. The discount can be availed from 12 Jun, 2020, to 31 Dec, 2020. Brands such as Fairmont, Pullman, Grand Mercure and Ibis, spread across 23 destinations, are all a part of the Accor group. They have 10,000 rooms across 52 properties in South Asia. See accor.com

Luxe Quarantine: Luxury hotels across Delhi are turning into quarantine facilities

25 luxury hotels will soon be repurposed as COVID-19 quarantine centres. Due to inadequate health infrastructure and overburdened medical staff in hospitals, patients with mild to moderate symptoms will be sent to these facilities, each linked to its nearest COVID-19 hospital. Hotel staff will also be trained to administer basic care. Rooms are from Rs 5,000 per night, including meals.