Although hotels are seeking contactless solutions to help eliminate risk associated with COVID-19, travelers are looking for something more tangible when they arrive for their stay.
According to a recent survey from hotel booking site HotelsByDay, travelers prioritize hand sanitation stations as well as welcome packages with safety items like hand sanitizer and masks over contactless check-in and checkout.
Of the more than 1,000 American travelers surveyed, 53% say they expect hand sanitizer stations at hotels and 43% expect a welcome package, while 50% say they expect mask requirements for staff and guests.
Additionally, 43% expect daily housekeeping service, and 39% expect contactless check-in and checkout.
Of those expectations, 43% of travelers say mask requirements are the most important, followed by hand sanitation stations (38%), contactless check-in and checkout (31%), occupancy limits (25%) and a room with windows that open to circulate fresh air (24%).
Some guests are even willing to pay a COVID surcharge for the costs hotels front for things like masks, hand sanitizers and expanded patio room. Although 34% of travelers prefer no more fees, 28% say they understand the need but don’t like it, 19% say the costs should be a part of existing resort fees and 19% believe the surcharge is necessary for hotels to survive.
Twenty-five percent of guests believe $10 to be a fair amount for a COVID-related fee, while 19% would pay from $10 to $19. Just 12% of travelers would pay from $20 to $29 and 6% would pay from $40 to $50.
Safe stays
Of those surveyed, 35% say they have stayed in a hotel during the pandemic, and 37% of those that have stayed in a hotel have stayed five or more times.
On a scale of one to 10, with one being underwhelming and 10 exceeding expectations, respondents give interactions with staff an average rating of 7.1.
They also give the cleanliness and safety of common areas around the hotel an average rating of 7.7 and the cleanliness and safety of the room an average rating of 7.8.
Although 4% of travelers who have stayed in a hotel say they were put off and would not stay in a hotel again for a while, 72% say they felt confident and would stay in a hotel again.