At Belmond, we are working hard to ensure that we are ready to welcome back our guests from around the world. We thank our fantastic teams for their unwavering commitment to support our guests, colleagues and communities throughout this challenging time. A lot may have changed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, but our commitment to provide every guest, partner and employee with the highest standard of service and care remains unaltered. Your guests' safety, wellbeing and comfort will always be central to everything we do. For more than 40 years we have been redefining and reshaping the travel experience. The challenge of today’s global pandemic will not stop us from re-imagining the future of luxury travel tomorrow. If anything, it will encourage us to go further and evolve faster. True to the pioneering spirit of our brand, our aim now is to reach new levels of excellence – both in health and hygiene, and in those areas that underpin our exceptional service. We welcome the enhanced requirements being issued by many health authorities and governments globally and, as always, we remain uncompromising in our approach to cleanliness. We will work continuously with our dedicated in-house experts and in close collaboration with leading health and hygiene authorities to ensure our even-higher standards are achieved and upheld. Below is an overview of some of the comprehensive steps we are taking to implement our enhanced protocols, which are subject to rigorous reviews. On every level, we will continue to protect the many communities we serve. At the same time, whilst adhering to the new guidelines on cleanliness and social-distancing, we pledge that our guests will once again feel welcomed into warm and luxurious environments, able to enjoy extraordinary travel and award-winning dining at its finest. We will continue to rise to the challenge of fulfilling our guests’ needs, especially in this regard.

Cleaning Practices:
What are the changes you are making to cleaning practices?
Providing a safe environment for our guests and employees is our top priority. Belmond has extremely robust hygiene and cleanliness procedures in place. We will be implementing a series of new cleaning protocols targeted to protect against Covid-19 and ensure our even-higher standards are achieved and upheld. As part of these enhanced measures, Belmond will be including extra protocols for staff personal hygiene, removing unnecessary touch points, cleaning and disinfection and social distancing for pre-opening and after Belmond has opened.
Belmond has established procedures to ensure the regular deep cleaning of its hotels and other properties, for example following a period of seasonal closure. We will be conducting a full deep clean of all areas at every hotel, train and river cruise prior to re-opening, following these well-established best practices. To provide an extra layer of protection, however, specific measures to protect against Covid-19 will be carried out.
This will include the removal and deep cleaning of all curtains, fabrics, quilts, pillows and cushions. All floors and hard surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected with a cleaning product approved to tackle Covid-19. All carpets will be disinfected and steam cleaning of upholstered furniture and mattresses will also be carried out.
The super-chlorination of all swimming pools will be carried out prior to re-opening. Coronavirus is killed by chlorine, so it is safe to keep outdoor swimming pools operational. Chlorine will be added to our sea water swimming pools, and kept within the operating parameters of regular swimming pools. Pools that are open will be staffed to ensure adherence to social distancing in and around pools.
Belmond will be carefully reviewing government advice with respect to PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements on an ongoing basis. Depending on guest-employee proximity in an area in which these measures are being implemented, and whenever it is deemed to be required, Belmond’s employees will be wearing protective wear, including face covers and disposable gloves. Face covers will be available for guests at all times. All standard operating procedures will be reviewed and updated accordingly based on local code and regulations.
Our comprehensive operating procedures mandating the regular cleaning of all surface areas in operation will be further enhanced with the use of even stronger disinfectants that can effectively kill Covid-19.
A Safety management team will be established at every property prior to reopening to ensure employees continue to receive regular training on these protocols. We have engaged a third-party specialist to ensure that standards are kept under review and validated. All protocols and procedures will be subject to updates in line with the very latest guidance from relevant health and industry authorities.
Check in Process:
Will the properties change their check in process?
Belmond remains steadfast in our commitment to provide every guest, partner and employee with the highest standards of service and care. In order to ensure Belmond is effectively protecting those at their properties, Belmond will be making changes to their check in process across their portfolio.
Belmond will be asking guests who book directly to complete the check-in process prior to arrival. Additionally, Belmond will be providing pre-arrival communications to guests directly and via travel agent partners that will answer frequently asked questions and offer property-specific information, including what is being done about Covid-19 at the property where they are due to stay. A contact person will be provided to those checking in to clarify any questions guests may have.
Restaurants
What measures will be in place in the restaurants?
Buffets and self-service options will not be provided and will be replaced by a-la-carte options.
We will also be reviewing the floorplans and making use of our stunning outdoor dining options as well as staggering dining times and looking at additional minimal capacity measures to maintain social distancing guidelines in these areas. The specifics of these measures will be determined by the individual property teams in consultation the relevant health bodies and third-party specialists.
Covid-19
Will you be putting in place measures to check guests on arrival for symptoms of Covid-19?
Belmond will be asking all guests [with a reservation for accommodation] to undergo a temperature-check on arrival and to complete a thorough registration form. If, on arrival, a guest is showing a high temperature, or any other symptoms consistent with Covid-19, they will be asked to travel later and will be cared for in a separate designated room until suitable onward care can be arranged.
In-room dining
Will you offer enhanced in-room dining experiences to limit interaction with other guests?
Belmond will be offering in room breakfast and dining should guests wish to dine in private. In Room dining has been reviewed to ensure it adheres with strict Covid-19 guidelines.
Spas
How will the spa experience change?
Spas may remain closed, and will only open on a case by case basis if social distancing and hygiene measures can be introduced. Guests will be notified of the services available at their chosen destination prior to arrival. All open spas will of course meet our enhanced cleaning protocols.
Pools
Will you have social distancing measures in place at your pools?
Yes—we will ask guests to respect social distancing guidelines when using the pool, as in other public areas. Pools that are open will be staffed to ensure adherence to social distancing in and around pools.
Sun beds will be spaced apart so as to adhere to social distancing guidance. The number of sunbeds available will be in line with the occupancy of the hotel, removing unneeded sunbeds to maximize the space. Social distancing will be respected at all times when food or drink is served.
Please note that in some locations pools may remain closed. Guests will be informed prior to arrival should this be the case at their chosen destination.
Employees
How is Belmond specifically preparing their employees to protect them at work?
As well as providing comprehensive training to all associates, with further specific training according to their functional area, Belmond is working with supply partners to equip their staff with the necessary protective equipment. Belmond will also be taking steps to ensure that face-to-face contact will be reduced where appropriate. A Safety management team will be established at every property prior to reopening to ensure employees receive continual training. We have engaged a third-party specialist to ensure that standards are kept under review and validated by a third-party specialist. All protocols and procedures will be subject to updates in line with the very latest guidance from relevant health and industry authorities.
Wearing masks is required in public areas where social distancing is not always possible
Guests will be asked to check their temperature before check in