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Hotels return to normal?

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bramling

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The most notable period being April 12th to May 17th 2021, when it was a criminal offence to stay in a hotel for non-essential purposes, but legal to stay in a short-term rental apartment for any reason or none - despite the risk of transmission being close to identical in either case.

Indeed. It was far too easy for the government to keep such places closed down. I suspect if furlough had been finished by then there would have been much more clamour to keep workplaces open.

I remember attempting to stay in a Premier Inn in London during that time. I was tempted to stay anyway, but on phoning up to test the water it was made clear that some form of “proof of reason for stay” would be asked for. At that point I decided I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle, so camped overnight in my office instead! (Which was a pain in the proverbial, as although the soft seating was sufficiently comfortable, it was in the wrong part of London for what I had planned).
 
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danm14

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I remember attempting to stay in a Premier Inn in London during that time. I was tempted to stay anyway, but on phoning up to test the water it was made clear that some form of “proof of reason for stay” would be asked for.
I stayed in two of them during that period, both in Central London, and both for non-essential purposes.

The first did not ask as to the reason for my stay, appearing to adopt a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, as it was very obvious that most of the residents were not there for legally permitted reasons - but otherwise enforced the restrictions, including refusing to serve unmasked customers.

The second, whose staff, like me, were all unmasked and very clearly shared my disdain for the restrictions, asked me for the purpose of my stay whilst coaching me as to the correct answer (a very slow, monotone, "and you're staying for work, yes" accompanied by nodding of the head) - followed by a jovial "enjoy your holiday" delivered with a smile whilst handing me the keycard.
 

bramling

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I stayed in two of them during that period, both in Central London, and both for non-essential purposes.

The first did not ask as to the reason for my stay, appearing to adopt a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, as it was very obvious that most of the residents were not there for legally permitted reasons - but otherwise enforced the restrictions, including refusing to serve unmasked customers.

The second, whose staff, like me, were all unmasked and very clearly shared my disdain for the restrictions, asked me for the purpose of my stay whilst coaching me as to the correct answer (a very slow, monotone, "and you're staying for work, yes" accompanied by nodding of the head) - followed by a jovial "enjoy your holiday" delivered with a smile whilst handing me the keycard.

I kind of suspected that sort of thing would likely be the case, but didn’t want to risk the bother of turning up and potentially being turned away.
 

Howardh

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I stayed in two of them during that period, both in Central London, and both for non-essential purposes.

The first did not ask as to the reason for my stay, appearing to adopt a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, as it was very obvious that most of the residents were not there for legally permitted reasons - but otherwise enforced the restrictions, including refusing to serve unmasked customers.

The second, whose staff, like me, were all unmasked and very clearly shared my disdain for the restrictions, asked me for the purpose of my stay whilst coaching me as to the correct answer (a very slow, monotone, "and you're staying for work, yes" accompanied by nodding of the head) - followed by a jovial "enjoy your holiday" delivered with a smile whilst handing me the keycard.
To be honest it wouldn't be much if a holiday with everywhere bar essential services closed! I suppose on the other hand, anyone in a huge block of flats in a tiny apartment would have loved two or three days in the country for their own mental health.

That break could have been argued to be essential for health purposes. Was it ever argued with the authorities or courts?
 

Cloud Strife

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To be honest it wouldn't be much if a holiday with everywhere bar essential services closed! I suppose on the other hand, anyone in a huge block of flats in a tiny apartment would have loved two or three days in the country for their own mental health.

It became very quickly clear to me that the danger was never in hotels, but in allowing people to congregate indoors.
 

Howardh

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It became very quickly clear to me that the danger was never in hotels, but in allowing people to congregate indoors.
I never found out if residents in old folks homes were allowed to socialise together in a communal space, play games, sing etc; noting that those places were virtually cut off from the outside world? Or were they forced to stay in their own room almost all day? Anyone with dementia wouldn't understand what was going on.
 

bramling

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To be honest it wouldn't be much if a holiday with everywhere bar essential services closed! I suppose on the other hand, anyone in a huge block of flats in a tiny apartment would have loved two or three days in the country for their own mental health.

That break could have been argued to be essential for health purposes. Was it ever argued with the authorities or courts?

In my case it wasn’t a holiday, but I wanted to visit the Public Record Office at Kew (which was at that time open, albeit with stringent distancing requirements) the next day, and didn’t want to travel home to essentially leave home again just a few hours later.

As I said, in the event I was able to camp over in my office, but in all fairness I’d have preferred a proper bed and a lie-in!
 

yorksrob

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The Royal Hotel at Hull Paragon still has its preposterous residents only policy in place "due to COVID". One wonders whether it's being managed from Shanghai.
 

westv

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The Royal Hotel at Hull Paragon still has its preposterous residents only policy in place "due to COVID". One wonders whether it's being managed from Shanghai.
I thought it was still closed to the public due to being used to house asylum seekers.
 

yorksrob

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I thought it was still closed to the public due to being used to house asylum seekers.

Is it ?

That might explain it then.

Pre covid I used to pop in for a swift half before catching the train.

The sign says it's because of covid.
 

AlterEgo

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Is it ?

That might explain it then.

Pre covid I used to pop in for a swift half before catching the train.

The sign says it's because of covid.
No, it's being used to house asylum seekers, hence the "residents" innuendo.

A lot of Britannia hotels are, or have been, used for this purpose, because they're crap.
 

yorksrob

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No, it's being used to house asylum seekers, hence the "residents" innuendo.

A lot of Britannia hotels are, or have been, used for this purpose, because they're crap.

Funnily enough, I did stay there once when I missed my train.

The room was basic, but they put me up at short notice and the breakfast was good, so a good stay !
 

dk1

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No, it's being used to house asylum seekers, hence the "residents" innuendo.

A lot of Britannia hotels are, or have been, used for this purpose, because they're crap.
I would imagine even an asylum seeker would be put out at being put up at a Britannia.
 

Howardh

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I would imagine even an asylum seeker would be put out at being put up at a Britannia.
I've read real horror stories, and I avoid them myself if I can help it. But for balance I've used the one in Manchester (Piccadilly) and the room/bathroom was clean and comfy, and for £40 was a bargain. Pity they don't just clean up and tidy their buildings and rooms, otherwise it's a case of you get what you pay for. Covid (with the reduced number of inmates) would have been an ideal opportunity for Brittania to (a) spruce up their hotels (b) change their name and (c) up their prices to pay for it all.
 

Blindtraveler

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Nowhere near enough to a Pacer :(
Britannia will continue to succeed simply because of the coach party market that it does a lot of business with. Myself I've possibly been lucky but the times I've stayed them I've not had any real problems.
 

Snow1964

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Just stayed 2 nights at an Green King, Old English Inn.
No restrictions whatsoever, no old notices about covid

However the outer doors to ladies/gents still had those rotating vacant/engaged move with elbow signs, but door were propped open.
 

TravelDream

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But with this 'return to normal', I've also noticed that prices have gone absolutely insane. I was getting hotel rooms for about 25-30 Euro a night in Poznań, now the same rooms are going for 60-70 Euro and upwards. It's not normal at all.

Poland has a big shortage of accommodation due to the number of Ukrainians currently there. It's not surprising prices have shot up.
The economy there is also doing very well, but has super high inflation which can't be helping.
 

LAX54

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USA: Almost back to normal in Hotels, although some have restrictions on where you can eat within the Hotel sometimes, the biggest thing I noticed at every Hotel we stayed at in May, was that there is no Room Cleaning or topping up of the coffee etc, you have to ask for it, there are never any issues when you do ask, and they also seem very keen on keeping the corridors etc clean, being vacuumed and 'sprayed' at least 3 times a day.
 

bramling

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Been in three hotels recently.

One in Newcastle completely normal, as indeed it was this time last year (when room servicing was a rarity).

In Wales, first a couple of nights in a Premier Inn. Normal apart from that they aren’t servicing the rooms, and this showed as the room (in particular the bathroom) wasn’t quite as well scrubbed up - up until Covid Premier Inn was always considerably superior to Travelodge, but they are starting to slide downwards now. Now in a proper hotel, all normal, no sign of Covid anywhere apart from a few (empty) hand gel dispensers.
 

ChrisC

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Been in three hotels recently.

One in Newcastle completely normal, as indeed it was this time last year (when room servicing was a rarity).

In Wales, first a couple of nights in a Premier Inn. Normal apart from that they aren’t servicing the rooms, and this showed as the room (in particular the bathroom) wasn’t quite as well scrubbed up - up until Covid Premier Inn was always considerably superior to Travelodge, but they are starting to slide downwards now. Now in a proper hotel, all normal, no sign of Covid anywhere apart from a few (empty) hand gel dispensers.
I’ve been staying all this week at the Best Western Angel Hotel in Chippenham. Almost completely back to normal and an enjoyable stay. The only change I saw was that room servicing is no longer automatic. You now have to put a card outside your door if you want your room servicing, whereas in the past you did that if you didn’t want the room servicing. I had my room serviced every day and then you get some biscuits!
 
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SeanG

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I do think that perhaps the trend of only having your room service when asked, is to save money and/or resources at a time of austerity and short staffing, rather than a purely covid measure. I mean, the chances of catching covid whilst cleaning a usually empty room are rather low
 

Bungle73

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Stayed at the Premier Inn Avebury Boulevard in Milton Keynes over the weekend (for the grand prix), and pretty much normal, except for the aforementioned rooms only serviced on request, and the slightly dystopian screens at reception - bit odd considering everywhere else seems to have got rid of them. I didn't use the on-site restaurant, as I chose to eat at the circuit, and at a nearby Wetherspoons.
 

TPO

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Indeed. I recently stayed at a Premier Inn for 3 nights during the week for work, Premier Plus room, they said up front no room servicing during the stay... so you don't get the "extras" topped up and might need to go begging for extra bogroll. (I like Premier Plus rooms partly because they have a fridge, so I can call in Lidl or Adsa for food and fridge keeps it chilled during the stay).

Prices are up too and too many of the Premier Inns I use have lazy disinterested staff. Pre-COVID the staff were without fail polite, helpful. But that's now rare enough to be noteworthy. I suppose when you are constantly well booked without trying because half the population is on permanent holiday, there's little incentive to bother.

In a year or two when the domestic holiday binge has worked through, will be interesting to see the consequences.

Yet Premier Inn is still one of the most consistently OK places, (even tho their nice soft pillows have been replaced with hard foam, grrrr). But I don't get breakfast there anymore.

TPO
 

bramling

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Indeed. I recently stayed at a Premier Inn for 3 nights during the week for work, Premier Plus room, they said up front no room servicing during the stay... so you don't get the "extras" topped up and might need to go begging for extra bogroll. (I like Premier Plus rooms partly because they have a fridge, so I can call in Lidl or Adsa for food and fridge keeps it chilled during the stay).

Prices are up too and too many of the Premier Inns I use have lazy disinterested staff. Pre-COVID the staff were without fail polite, helpful. But that's now rare enough to be noteworthy. I suppose when you are constantly well booked without trying because half the population is on permanent holiday, there's little incentive to bother.

In a year or two when the domestic holiday binge has worked through, will be interesting to see the consequences.

Yet Premier Inn is still one of the most consistently OK places, (even tho their nice soft pillows have been replaced with hard foam, grrrr). But I don't get breakfast there anymore.

TPO

Premier Inn has really deteriorated, though this trend seemed to be happening previously. We’ve stayed in a few since Covid and in all but one case the experience hasn’t been that good, in particular the cleanliness and general upkeep of the room (and especially bathroom) has been poor. On top of that they’re considerably more expensive than pre Covid.

Meanwhile we’re just in a hotel in Wales. No room servicing still, although room perfectly clean so it’s obviously still happening between guests.
 

Cloud Strife

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On top of that they’re considerably more expensive than pre Covid.

My impression from Europe this summer is that people went absolutely mental. A friend runs a large hotel, and he's been running at 95%+ occupancy since the long May weekend in Poland. They've got a pricing policy that keeps the final 5 rooms at a sky high price, and these rooms are getting booked regardless, which is simply unthinkable.

He said the most curious thing so far is that people are simply willing to pay whatever the asking price is. They have a simple pricing policy, in that the price starts off low per room night, and then it increases as they receive more bookings. As of last week, they didn't have any of the cheapest tier room nights available until November 2023, which is just ridiculous.

As for rooms not being cleaned and so on, that's just pure profiteering. There was certainly a case for it back when we didn't know very much about the transmissibility, but these days?
 
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DelayRepay

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I've stayed in a few hotels over the past couple of months. As others have said, virtually back to normal apart from the odd bottle of sanitizer, the odd (in more ways than one!) person wearing a mask, and the lack of room servicing unless specifically requested. I suspect the later is no longer a Covid measure, more a cost saving measure. But it's fine as long as you have the choice.

I don't really want or need my room serviced each day - but it would be nice to have the coffees etc. replaced and the bin emptied.

I'm staying in self catering accommodation in a couple of weeks. Attached to the booking confirmation was a three page Covid FAQ document. It had questions like 'do I need to test before I arrive?', 'do I need to wear a mask'? etc. The answer to every question was 'no', with a few links to the Government/NHS website. I am amazed that these questions are still being asked frequently. Still, it's better than last year when the accommodation had actually stuck an NHS Check In QR code to the (private, not shared) front door of the accommodation.
 

Jamesrob637

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Malta last month: Holiday Inn Express was very nearly as normal. Just one screen on the reception desk. Buffet breakfast as pre-COVID. Room cleaning upon request depending on which way round you attached the little tag to the room door handle. Overall a truly enjoyable stay.
 

Broucek

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Just stayed in the Grand Brighton. No evidence of COVID whatsoever. Normal room cleaning, no face nappies, buffet breakfast. Nice hotel. Pricey this weekend as was everywhere we looked, possibly due to University graduation ceremonies in the next building.
 

Tracked

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Stayed at travelodge in Glasgow this week, only things I think had changed were;

- some plastic screens part way round the reception desk
- the room service being on request
- and the most pressing issue; they've gotten rid of the picture on the wall :(
 

Bantamzen

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Stayed over at the Jurys Inn at Newcastle on Thursday, and mercifully there was no covid-phobia visible. No masks, no plastic screens, bar open, full buffet breakfast, the only slight problem was a lack on condiments to go on my bacon & sausages!
 
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