Hyatt’s Asia-Pacific hotels complete first phase of new cleanliness initiative

Hyatt says all of its hotels in the Asia Pacific region have completed the first phase of its new cleanliness programme, Business Traveller reports.

All 149 hotels in the region have hired “hygiene and wellbeing leaders”, a measure that is part of the hotel group’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment, which was announced in early May to restore confidence in travel.

Other hygiene and safety measures introduced in phase one include providing alcohol wipes at restaurants and as part of in-room amenities, knock-and-go room service, “increased frequency” of cleaning air filters, implementation of a new wellness policy for colleagues, and mandatory usage of masks by all associates, the Business Traveller report says.

“Our region was the first to be impacted by Covid-19, and our hotels were quick to implement a consistent set of enhanced safety and hygiene measures. Wellbeing is at the heart of demonstrating our care, and in these uncertain times it has been critical to our recovery efforts. In Greater China we are seeing a good rebound at our hotels, driven by domestic leisure guests and a strong demand at our restaurants,” said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt.

Hyatt says while its hotels have rearranged their gym equipment in adherence to physical distancing guidelines, guests can request fitness equipment such as yoga mats and weights to be delivered to their rooms via an app. Some properties provide new outdoor workout spaces, the hotel company added.

A number of activities have now been digitalised. Hyatt says the new Hyatt WeChat Mall features over 300 experiences from over 80 hotels in the Greater China region. For instance, the new ‘Hyatt Summer Academy’ at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin offers cooking classes and lessons on sporting fundamentals for the whole family.

Hyatt says its hotels are working to roll out digital amenities through the World of Hyatt app that will give guests more control over how they connect with Hyatt. The new features, available in select markets and rolling out on an ongoing basis, will allow guests to manage preferences like scheduling housekeeping, choosing between pick-up or knock-and-go food orders, mobile key entry, contactless check-in and checkout, and more. Currently in Asia Pacific, 25% of Hyatt hotels offer mobile key entry, says the Business Traveller report.

For meetings and events, Hyatt says its hotels in Australia are exploring audio-visual technology that will help offer customers hybrid meeting options – on-property and remote – for large-scale events with social distancing in mind.

In addition to reconfiguring event spaces, Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing provides event attendees with a ‘safe hygiene kit’ on arrival. 

Hyatt says where buffet services have reopened, food stations feature protective barriers. In Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor, the rooftop terrace has been repurposed for outdoor dining, and for guests who prefer to have a cocktail in their room, Grand Hyatt Shanghai has designed an in-room mixology kit, the Business Traveller report adds.