Accor announces the reopening of its Novotel Buenos Aires hotel on September 15, with new cleaning and safety standards. With this milestone, the chain begins its reactivation process in Argentina after closing 10 of its 12 hotels during the coronavirus health emergency.
The strategy for the reopening of Novotel Buenos Aires responds to the latest government regulation that allows the opening of hotels for non-tourist purposes, such as authorized workers and passengers who must perform medical treatments in the city.
“We face the challenge of reopening with great enthusiasm, responsibility and confidence. We are proud because we have implemented protocols that have been guaranteed by Accor's ALLSAFE seal and that gives us a lot of peace of mind when it comes to offering a safe service for employees and guests ”, explains Exequiel Campos, general manager of the hotel.
Since the quarantine period began, Accor had to suspend the operation of 83% of its properties associated with different brands. Only ibis Obelisco and ibis Congreso continued to host passengers, operating as sanitary residences operated by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires; while ibis Pilar was working with exclusive groups of companies.
"We have great hope with Novotel Buenos Aires, because it is located in a strategic place and with easy access to the most important points of the city," says Luis Mirabelli, vice president of development for Hispanic countries. The hotel chain expects to announce new reopens both in Buenos Aires and in the rest of the country: the executive adds that the expectation is to reach 98% of hotels in operation in the region by the end of October.
To adapt to new needs, Novotel Buenos Aires will make available two rooms enabled as Room Office: private offices equipped with a comfortable desk, chairs, personal bathroom, office supplies and resources, led screen for projections, unlimited internet, cafeteria service , etc. This service can be hired per day, per week or monthly.
In addition, the hotel will have the Room Rental option, a temporary room rental for those who need a longer stay in the city. This option includes cable TV, WiFi, air conditioning, complimentary coffee and tea, and room cleaning service.
"For families who want to visit the city, we launched an exclusive promotion for Argentines valid for those who buy today and travel until February 28, 2021. This includes rates in pesos, children under 16 free of charge, breakfast and parking included", Campos added.
To face this new stage, the group invested in a comprehensive safety and hygiene protocol: the “ALLSAFE” seal was designed by Accor together with the international agency Bureau Veritas, a leader in testing, inspection and certification. These 150 health protocols will be implemented in each establishment in the chain that restarts its operations, both in Argentina and in the rest of the world.
As part of the new hygiene regulations, Novotel Buenos Aires will apply measures such as: physical distancing; temperature control and mask for employees and guests; disposal of alcohol gel in common spaces; increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection activities in high-contact areas; online payment and an agile and paperless check out to facilitate the guest's departure. Likewise, the hotel restaurant will offer breakfast service with the option of take away so that guests can enjoy it in their room.
In addition, as part of these protection and security measures, Novotel will offer a free telemedicine service, thanks to a global alliance of Accor signed with AXA, a world leader in insurance. This will allow guests to access an extensive medical network made up of professionals from different specialties and available in different languages.