The curious, the adventurous, the roamers and the wanderers are waiting with bated breath for the world to welcome us back. Not all of us will travel as soon as those doors open, but we are waiting, waiting to see what the new normal in the world of hospitality will look like.
In this moment, in these past months, we are truly global. Globally connected by fear, uncertainty, a longing for normalcy and a handful of really great memes.
Countries around the world are moving at a different pace, the pace and each move determined by where they are in this pandemic and, more importantly, by who they are as a society. For some, it’s been two steps forward and one step back. Some have opened, some are preparing to open and some are still in that unknown space of cautious optimism.
I spoke to properties around the world to find out what their opening plans are, what they are doing to keep their employees and guests safe and what a stay with them will look like moving forward. I’ve asked each property a series of the same questions and what I have found is that they have all been fervidly planning, and now implementing, practices and protocols designed to keep their employees and guests safe.
There are multiple protocols that are being implemented across the board such as hand washing stations and/or hand sanitizers located in multiple areas of the properties, extensive cleaning and disinfecting procedures for guest rooms and public areas, staff in PPE, guests required to wear masks in public areas and buffets replaced with à la carte options. What I’ve listed below is what each property is doing in addition to these steps.
All but one of the properties listed below are properties that I have stayed at in the past. I reached out to these specific properties as I believe them to be great options for a social distancing getaway. The one property I have not stayed in is one that I am hoping to stay in this fall. However, as with everything now, there are no guarantees. We are all learning to be a bit more flexible, aren’t we?
Here are approaches that properties around the world are taking:
Nomad Tanzania is a collection of intimate safari lodges and camps located across Tanzania. Nomad has long been considered pioneers of the Tanzanian safari.
Here is what Nomad is doing to keep guests and staff safe:
Here’s how your stay may look a little different:
I can’t think of any better place than the African bush to socially distance. A safari experience with Nomad is generally quite private and the majority of your time is spent outdoors. Nomad is prepared to safely welcome you.
As of mid-August, all of Nomads properties have reopened. They have also frozen their rates, are offering fantastic off-season rates and have adjusted their cancellation/payment policies for reservations impacted by Covid If you have been considering that once-in-a-lifetime safari, When is Now!
You can find Nomad’s full list of protocols here.
You can read more about our Nomad experience hereand here.
We were set to visit two Nomad properties, with ten friends, in June of this year. Thankfully, we were able to postpone to next year.
Floating in the middle of the Zambezi river, Islands of Siankaba is an absolute dream and even more so if you are looking to limit contact with others. This seven-chalet lodge, connected by rope bridges, is just down river from the iconic Victoria Falls and has plenty of activities (or not) that are suited for just you and your plus one.
In addition to thorough sanitation and cleaning procedures, here’s how the team at Islands of Siankaba will keep guests safe:
Islands of Siankaba is in the unique situation of being set in the village of Siankaba and staffed by villagers. They are being incredibly cautious to protect the local village.
Here are a few things they are doing to keep staff safe:
Again, remote lodges like Islands of Siankaba are already “socially distanced”, but here are a few things that will be different with your stay:
Because of Islands of Siankaba’s remote location, their staff have not been greatly exposed to the public. At this moment, there have been no confirmed cases of Covid in the area. The team at Islands of Siankaba has worked diligently in educating the villagers about the virus and have supplied masks, soap and hand sanitizers to the village and surrounding community. As a small lodge, they are able to accommodate any special guest requirements.
Islands of Siankaba have also put a contingency plan in place in case one of their guests or staff members become ill.
The lodge is currently open to local guests and hopes to welcome international guests in the early part of next year. You can find out about their current specials through your travel agent or by reaching out to them directly.
You can find a (very old) blog post from my second visit to Islands of Siankaba here. I think it’s time for me to return so I can update this.
Dangling over the Pacific Ocean, Ocho Cascadas is another property that lends itself to social distancing. Comprised of just nine large, open air and fully serviced villas, you never need to leave the property.
However, they are taking the extra steps necessary to ensure guest safety. Aside from cleaning, sanitizing and making sure staff have PPE, here is what Ocho Cascadas is doing to keep guests and staff safe:
At the time of writing, no staff member has had the virus.
For guests, things will be slightly different:
Ocho Cascadas is open now! However, although they are taking steps designed to keep staff and guests safe, they offer no flexibility for cancellations, postponements or rescheduling due to the pandemic. We were set to bring a group of sixteen people to the property in August. The majority of our group are very uncomfortable traveling right now and some fall in the high risk category. So as a group, we decided to postpone or reschedule the trip until it is safer to travel. Unfortunately, the person in charge of bookings informed me that he will not allow us to do so and that we will not get our deposit back unless they rent our rooms.
We have had to cancel, postpone and reschedule many flights and hotels because of the pandemic and have had no issues at all. This Ocho Cascasdas response is more of an outlier. As such, unless you are willing to travel regardless of what is going on with the pandemic, I highly recommend waiting until the world is a more stable place before booking here.
Either way, I will provide an update on what the final outcome wis with our situation.
Santiago de Alfama…swoon. Lisbon…swoon. Portugal’s response to Covid…swoon.
Santiago de Alfama, located in the historic Alfama district of Lisbon, is a perfectly restored historic building comprised of just nineteen rooms. The owners of this property have poured their hearts and souls into this building and are mind-blowingly creative in all that they do.
Below, are just a few of the steps the charming, family-owned-and-operated Santiago de Alfama is taking to ensure the safety of all staff and guests.
To begin with, Portugal has not been as dramatically affected by Covid as some of their neighbors. Due to contact tracing and acting quickly while their numbers were low, they were able to rein it in quickly.
Santiago de Alfama has received the Portuguese Tourist Board’s “Clean and Safe” accreditation. You can find out more about that here. As of August 20th, the UK has lifted quarantine rules for Portugal.
As the team at Santiago de Alfama says: Lisbon is as beautiful and as romantic as ever. Be sure to check their website for their current promotions!
Sri Lanka and is awaiting your visit, and you have some fantastic options for lodging! Reveal the Collection has an assortment of boutique properties, located all over Sri Lanka that are perfect for a social distancing getaway.
Sri Lanka is another country that managed to get Covid under early control.
Here is what Reveal the Collection is doing to keep their staff and guests safe:
You can read more about Reveal the Collection’s safety measures here.
#SriLankaisalive
Yet another perfect country and perfect property for social distancing is Dominica’s Secret Bay. When it comes to the Caribbean, Dominica is still considered undiscovered. It is raw, wild and full of adventure, and it is home to the incomparable Secret Bay, a six-star rainforest hideaway. Secret Bay is another property where each of its six villas are fully serviced, meaning you have a full kitchen and can have groceries pre-stocked before your arrival, as well as delivered during your stay.
In the team at Secret Bay’s words: “While ‘social distancing’ has become a buzzword, Secret Bay’s guest experience was based on this idea by design. Its in our DNA! Secret Bay has always been about creating a private and personal experience where guests can have as much or as little interaction with others as they choose.”
Secret Bay is executing and going beyond WHO, PAHO, CDC and local health authorities’ mandates and guidelines. Here are other approaches they are taking to secure the safety of all staff and guests:
You can read more about Secret Bay’s “Stay Well” program here.
You can read about our incomparable Secret Bay experience here.
Secret Bay is running a couple of specials right now. Ready to get away for an extended “workcation”? Check out a fabulous option here! Want to take your entire crew of family and friends and social distance together? That’s an option, too! Secret Bay will unveil four new villas in November, so the more the merrier!
Imagine, your own private over-water villa, removed from crowds and chaos. What better place to socially distance than the St. Regis in Bora Bora?
French Polynesia is currently Covid free and they’d like to keep it that way. However, they also want to welcome you back. The island nation has implemented a system that took effect July 15th designed to do both. It is an evolving process that I hope continues to be successful.
Here is how St. Regis Bora Bora is keeping guests and staff safe in addition to French Polynesia’s measures:
You can read more about St. Regis Bora Bora’s safety measures here.
Please keep in mind that French Polynesia’s requirements for entry can (and do) change at any time, so if you are planning a trip there, check here for updates on a regular basis.
The decision on whether or not to travel right now is a personal decision. If it’s an idea you would like to explore more of know that the properties above are committed to keeping you well and safe.
Other than the one property mentioned, all properties have a very flexible cancellation/postponement policy. Please check each property’s website for complete information.
I hope that we are all able to freely explore this beautiful world and do so soon. In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands, wear your mask, be kind, do your part.
Ciao ragazze!
Sono tornata per parlarvi del mio amato gel di As I Am. Mi avete scritto in tante, molte di voi non sono pratiche con la lingua inglese, e quindi avete sempre qualche dubbio, soprattutto quando si tratta di leggere le caratteristiche o i nomi di alcuni prodotti. Il Curling Jelly altro non è che un gel, molto semplicemente, quindi quando trovate questa dicitura, sappiate quello che state acquistando.
As I Am è amato soprattutto per il suo prodotto per il Co-Wash, del quale vi ho già parlato, e che sapete che adoro e vi consiglio praticamente da sempre.
Ma anche gli altri prodotti stanno prendendo piano piano piede, perchè sono veramente validi! Per ora, il prodotto che mi sento di consigliarvi è il Gel.
Ha un odore buonissimo (così come tutti gli altri prodotti di questa linea), la consistenza è molto elastica sembra quasi che scivoli dalle mani quando lo si raccoglie con le dita. Ha un forte potere di definizione. La prima volta che lho utilizzato, dopo ho avuto un pò di difficoltà a passare la Denman brush perchè sembrava quasi che non riuscisse a penetrare il capello. Così la seconda volta, lho passato in due volte: prima ho messo il leave in, poi un poco di gel, ho spazzolato con la denman brush, poi ho ripassato altro gel con il metodo del pray hand, ed effettuato il plopping.
ripassate il metodo pray hand con me
Ho letto che è un prodotto che funziona benissimo anche per le ragazze con bassa porosità, quindi penso sia uno di quei prodotti jolly da utilizzare quando vogliamo che i nostri capelli siano perfetti!
Non ho ancora potuto provarlo insieme al suo leave in, ma lho abbinato al leave in di Shea Moisture, a quello di Cantu e anche alla crema arricciante di MaterNatura e il risultato è stato sempre stupendo!
Per acquistare tutti i prodotti della linea As I Am e anche molto altro clicca qui.
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