As the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia was officially ended on Sunday, hotels are opening to a ‘new normal’ of strict health and safety protocols.
The Kempinski Palace Hotel in Portoroz is one of the most luxurious hotels in Slovenia. (photo: Jure Kravanja, Nea Culpa)
To ensure health security and help restore confidence, government health-and-safety guidelines have been drawn up for every sector of the tourism industry. For hotels, this means vigorous cleaning and disinfection multiple times a day by staff wearing PPE, as well as changes to the guest experience, such as a ban on buffets.
Some hotels are installing screens between tables in their dining rooms, and introducing staggered dining hours and room service deliveries by staff in masks and gloves. Rooms are more wipe-down, with coffee makers, extra bedding and decoration removed. The government protocol also suggests removing carpets and minibars. In common areas such as pools and gyms, strict social distancing and disinfecting regimes are in place.
Credit-card payment is being promoted in hotels and bars, and contactless technology is coming faster than anticipated.
Whether guests will ‘feel like kings’ or feel a little uncomfortable in an environment of screens, masks and none of the usual interaction, is another question.