These Inspiring Hotels Are Giving Back to Their Communities During the Pandemic

Hotels are shuttering across the world due to COVID-19, but that doesn't mean they're remaining quiet. Here are seven hotels that are stepping up to the plate to help their communities during the pandemic.

Hotel’s HR Director Converts PTO Hours to Funds
Kim Avant, the director of human resources for The Grande Colonial in La Jolla, Calif., has come up with a unique way to help her hourly employees struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

A new property-wide initiative invites the 15 hotel managers working at The Grande Colonial to donate their unused paid time off (PTO) to hourly staff. The PTO then converts to cash or emergency necessities that are distributed directly to employees in need. So far, the hotel’s staff has already received nearly $5,500 in converted hours.

www.thegrandecolonial.com

Cancun Hotel Illuminates Windows to Show Support
Although Cancun’s iconic strip — normally bustling with tourists and locals — is shuttered due to the coronavirus, the all-inclusive Royalton Suites Cancun is choosing to focus on the bright side.

In a show of solidarity with neighboring resorts experiencing low occupancies, the hotel has illuminated its windows with the word fe, meaning “faith” in Spanish.

“We decided to illuminate Royalton Suites Cancun to show support for the tourism industry during this turbulent time,” said Jurgen Strutz, senior vice president of sales, marketing and distribution for parent company Blue Diamond Resorts. “We believe it is important to look ahead and assure the world that we will get through this. And once we are on the other side, we will be ready and eager to welcome guests. We will continue to light up our windows until we are fully operational again.”

www.royaltonresorts.com

The Allison Inn & Spa Gives Back to Oregon Wine Country
Oregon’s Willamette Valley is feeling the love from The Allison Inn & Spa, an independently owned property in the region. Although the 85-room hotel has closed to stop the spread of the coronavirus, it has remained engaged with the local community.

The property’s ownership will be covering all health insurance costs for employees. And, in addition to donating 150 meals to the area’s hospital in support of healthcare workers, the hotel now offers family-style curbside dinners for just $30 each (up to 100 meals per day). Menu items are curated to be easily transportable and heated, and the hotel has been selling out each day. Those who order meals will also receive discounts for spa treatments or meals when the property reopens.

www.theallison.com

Ocean House Management Gives Free Lunch to Local Children
Ocean House Management (OHM) — the operators of Rhode Island’s Ocean House, Weekapaug Inn and Watch Hill Inn, along with The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington, Mass. — is helping children in need with its new food truck, Off the Menu. Established in response to the pandemic, the truck delivers complimentary lunches to local children who are 16 years old or younger on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the end of May.

“We feel a deep responsibility to provide a service for children and families in need, and to help alleviate the difficulties that many local families are facing at this time,” said Daniel Hostettler, president and managing director for OHM. “We understand that with the closure of schools, many underserved children may not be getting the food they ordinarily would receive. Our objective is for our culinary team and staff to serve the community in a meaningful way, spread some joy and inspire other organizations, as well.” 

www.ohmcollection.com

Kentucky Property Retains Workforce With Side Jobs
The Brown Hotel in Louisville, Ky., a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is keeping its employees top of mind during the coronavirus pandemic by working to keep its staff employed.

More than 30 hotel staffers have had the opportunity to work outside their regular departments. 

Alternative jobs include painting various areas of the hotel, such as guestroom doors, housekeeping storage rooms, guestroom closets, service elevator landings, the hotel’s basement, the back stairwells and the employee cafeteria. 

Employees may also perform additional miscellaneous duties, including changing HVAC filters; waxing marble floors; shampooing floors and carpets; and conducting other maintenance that would otherwise be contracted to third-party companies.

www.brownhotel.com

Fortuna Hotel Collection Offers Relief Comfort Promotion
Three hotels within Fortuna Hotel Collection — Hotel Hayden, Hotel Hendricks and Hotel Henri in New York City (all members of Preferred Hotels & Resorts) — are currently offering a new Relief Comfort promotion exclusively for healthcare and essential workers.

The package includes lower nightly rates (beginning at $69 per night); a $10 minibar credit per day; and complimentary Wi-Fi access, bottled water and in-room coffee.

Additional safety precautions have also been put in place at the hotel: Each guestroom is disinfected prior to clients’ arrivals, public spaces are disinfected daily with a peroxide-based solution and no-contact housekeeping services are offered on-demand.

www.fortunahotelcollection.com

B&B Owners Plant Community Garden
The staff of Embrace Calistoga, a bed-and-breakfast Calistoga, Calif., are putting their green thumbs to good use during the coronavirus pandemic. With newfound free time, owners Brent Riedberger and Chris Johansen decided to plant a community garden that includes kale, chard, onions, radishes, carrots and potatoes. They’re also hoping to add tomatoes, peppers and beans to the plot once the weather warms, with the final goal of creating a “salad bar” with enough ingredients for those in need of fresh produce.

www.embracecalistoga.com