StayWell Holdings, one of the largest hotel management groups in Asia Pacific, has recently announced its post COVID-19 Brand Standards for Hygiene & Sanitation.
With a focus on protecting guests and employees, the Brand Standards have been developed in conjunction with one of the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification agencies, Bureau Veritas, and adhere to the Bureau Veritas SafeGuard Assurance Program. The Brand Standards will be implemented throughout StayWell Holding’s global portfolio, and outline auditable measures that span front office, guestrooms and housekeeping, public areas, back of house including suppliers, restaurants and food outlets, functions and events, and human resources and training. Each new measure complements the already stringent standards upheld by the group, and has guest and employee safety front and centre.
These standards have been translated into what has been dubbed the ‘Stay Well’ measure for the group’s hotels. This program is designed to not only provide the safest possible environment for guests as they return to travel, but also to assure them, through independent implementation audits, that StayWell has adopted the highly stringent standard and operational protocols required to achieve the certification.
Hospital grade cleaning features heavily in the new standards, including increased frequency of cleaning, and use of chemicals to kill COVID-19. Every property will install sensor hand sanitisers within all public spaces including lifts, and will undertake management of social distancing across public spaces. In addition, StayWell Holdings is introducing innovative measures such as immunity boosting menus, and the introduction of contactless free restaurant mobile ordering systems at all participating hotel restaurants.
Mr. Simon Wan, President and Director of StayWell Holdings said that the new measures are designed to not only provide a higher degree of safety, but also a level of comfort for travellers and staff alike.
“The safety and security of our guests and team members has always been our number one priority,” he says. “Being independently audited by Bureau Veritas to our new standards of hygiene and sanitation continues that tradition into the new world that we are all finding ourselves in. Bureau Veritas certifies that these standards ensure that we are ready to welcome guests back to StayWell properties both locally and around the world, as soon as is possible.”
Through its SafeGuard Assurance Program, Bureau Veritas independently inspects leading hospitality companies and hotels around the world. With a presence in over 140 countries and employing over 78,000 people, Bureau Veritas is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification. Through this partnership, StayWell hotels will be certified by Bureau Veritas giving guests peace of mind that hotels are independently audited to meet global standards. An inspection will be conducted at each hotel to ensure stringent hygiene and sanitation policy is followed.
To provide additional peace of mind to those wanting to make travel plans, StayWell has also launched a range of flexible booking options for guests. The group’s Reserve now, pay later initiative allows guests to book their stay across all of the StayWell properties with a 20% discount, and without any payment up front. The initiative also permits cancellation without penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival. StayWell loyalty program members also receive additional discounts on rates globally.
Full details of the StayWell COVID-19 response are available here:
For more information about Bureau Veritas SafeGuard Assurance Program visit https://www.bureauveritas.com.au/
For more information about StayWell Holdings properties visit www.staywellgroup.com
