CMCO Interview: Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit

What Hotels Are Doing to Ensure Guests Of A Safe And Enjoyable Stay

Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit

A Little Information On Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand.

Stay in the heart of Sukhumvit, a buzzing shopping, nightlife, and business district. Asoke and Phrom Phong skytrain stations are within only a few minutes’ walks providing easy access to all areas of Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Muang Airport are 30 minutes away. Bangkok‘s major shopping and entertainment destinations are walking distance from the hotel; Terminal 21, the newest luxury shopping complex and lifestyle district ‘Emporium and EmQuartier’.

Hop on the Skytrain and you will arrive at CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Platinum Fashion Mall and Chatujak weekend market. For relaxation, take a stroll at Benjasiri Park just a few moments from the hotel and you are spoilt for choice with myriad dining options from local to international cuisines right at our doorstep. The hotel is in the midst of global companies and regional offices, and hospitals within 15 minutes’ drive include Samitivej Hospital and Bumrungrad Hospital.

Interview Between Escapy Travel Magazine (ETM) & Meera Raj, General Manager of Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit

ETM: What safety measures have been put in place to ensure staffs (team members), third party suppliers, etc. are healthy or virus free (since members of staffs as well as suppliers will inevitably meet at one point in time or another and could spread the virus)?

Meera Raj: Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit is part of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and we follow strict hygiene and safety procedures in all area. The hotel practices standard temperature checkpoint, disinfection and all entry points, as well as guest, colleague and third party registration for those entering the hotel.

ETM: What safety measures have been put in place for guests to ensure their safety in areas where there usually are crowds such as the lobby, F&B outlets, entertainment areas, activity areas (gym, sauna, pool, games room, etc.), etc?

Meera Raj: IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures. Launched in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme was developed with Ecolab and Diversey, both world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services. This programme is now being expanded with additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices – many of which are already in place – to reflect the advice of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local public health authorities in markets around the world.

IHG Way of Clean already includes deep cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants and going forward guests can expect to see evolved procedures in every area of the hotel, which may include:

Reception: Reduced contact at check-in, touchless transactions, front-desk screens, sanitizer stations, sanitised key cards, paperless checkout.
Guest Room: Visible verification of sanitized items (e.g., glassware, remote control), reduction of in-room furnishings/high-touch items, new laundry protocols, use of new technology.
Public Spaces and Facilities: Additional deep cleaning of high-touch surfaces, social distancing, “last cleaned” charts, best practices for pools, fitness centres and lounges.
Food & Beverage: New standards and service approach to buffets, banquets, room service and catering.

Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit.

ETM: What has your team prepared (resort) or done to ensure the safety of your guests in general?

Meera Raj: Supporting the Wellbeing of Guests and Colleagues, and enabling the personal wellbeing of guests and colleagues is key. IHG is working closely with a team of medical experts at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic to develop guidance and resources for hotel teams on returning to work and keeping guests safe in this new environment, which may include:

Cleanliness information in hotels and on IHG’s booking channels.
Social distancing operating procedures and signage.
Guidance on the use of protective equipment as necessary by hotel colleagues.
Updated colleague training and certification.
Availability of individual guest amenity cleaning kits.
Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes available in guest rooms and at high-touch points throughout hotels.

ETM: Are there any new policies in place with the Corona Virus pandemic around? For example cancelation policies, booking policies, etc.

Meera Raj: We follow the Travel Advisory Policy and Cancellation Policies of IHG. These are updated as and when necessary at our website (website below).

https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/customer-care/travel-advisory

Deluxe and Premier King at the Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit.

ETM: What current measures are in place once a positive case is detected and confirmed?

Meera Raj: We have a centralised temperature check at our entrance, and close ties with the local Department of Disease Control (DDC). Should we find a positive case, the person will be quarantined in a designated area immediately and the DDC will be contacted immediately.

ETM: Who checks and verifies that the resort has been regularly sanitized? Any authorities to monitor and what are the procedures?

Meera Raj: We adhere to the IHG Clean standards strictly. Locally, we have received certification of hygiene from the Ministry of Labour and have applied for the SHA (Safety and Health Administration) certification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

ETM: What can guests look forward to when staying at your hotel or resort in times like this?

Meera Raj: We’re building on the solid foundation set by IHG, and taking it one step further, leveraging on technology. We are looking towards not only ensuring stringent hygiene procedures, but also aggressively reducing contact. All guests will be able to experience digital platforms through their personal mobile device, whether it is registering when they enter the hotel, ordering services in their room, ordering food in F&B outlets, and even enjoying a contactless buffet experience. These platforms will also be available in language for our international guests.

-End-