After not traveled for six months, I was finally ready to step out of my comfort bubble, kiss the kids goodbye, and peel out of my driveway head to one of my favorite states…Maine.  I base my travels on risk vs. reward and for a while I felt safer at home with my family during this pandemic. I had to come to the realization that travel would not be the same right now. However, it was doable.   I knew that one day I would feel comfortable packing my bags and heading off on an adventure, but I also knew I would have to put new safety measures on my agenda.
Here are 10 tips I learned from my first trip during COVID-19.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WISELY
I decided that the first place I would go to would be somewhere I’ve previously stayed so I’d know exactly what it is like. Ask yourself the following questions: Is the hotel in an area that has a high amount of positive cases? Does the state have any requirements for quarantining before you go? Are attractions open, like beaches, state parks, or hiking trails.  I chose Maine because they were so strict with self-quarantining, and I knew I’d feel safe. Is there enough to do on the grounds of the hotel or will you just be confined to your room?
RESEARCH HOTEL SAFETY MEASURES
Does the hotel stress what they’ve been doing to sanitize rooms? Have they changed the amount of people they allow to book? Does the hotel offer contactless check-in? Do they provide sanitation stations throughout the hotel? The hotel may have closed many amenities, so make sure you research before you book.
SANITIZE YOUR ROOM
For my own piece of mind, I sanitized my room as soon as I got in there. I brought my own disinfectant wipes to clean off high traffic surface areas like door knobs, counters, faucets, thermostats, locks, and light switches. I also used a hotel travel hack…I placed the remote control in a plastic bag so I wouldn’t have to touch it.
PRACTICE TYPICAL COVID RULES
By now we all know we need to stand 6 feet from others and always wear a mask. I also chose to take the stairs whenever possible, avoided the elevator, and did not linger in places like the lobby. You may want to ask for a room on the lower floors so you can avoid the elevator.
DECLINE HOUSEKEEPING
If you’re only there for a few nights, you really don’t need someone to make your bed or change your towels. You’re a grownup…you’ve got this. However, don’t forget to still leave a tip!
BRING YOUR OWN GEAR
Bring whatever you need to feel comfortable and safe. For example, I brought my own pillowcase, blanket, and towel. Did I need it? Probably not, but it just made me feel a bit more in control.
BUFFET? NO THANK YOU
Although a buffet breakfast may sound like a delicious way to start your day, I would skip that for a while. For one, you don’t know what people are touching and two, you may have to stand in a line to get your food. See if the hotel offers room service or take out. The Nonantum Resort had hot food stations behind plexiglass that they serve you from.
DINING
Hotels are coming up with some pretty creative ways to safely feed their guests. For example, the Nonantum is now offering private cabanas to dine outside with a view of the Kennebunk River. If you don’t feel comfortable eating indoors right now, you can get food from a restaurant in town and bring it back to your room.
SKIP SOME AMENITIES
There are certain places I’m not comfortable going right now. A gym, a bar, and a spa are amenities I would choose to pass on. Everyone is different and it is up to you to decide where you feel safe. Many hotels are putting some of their amenities on hold for now, so you may want to research that before you book.
POOL?
Hotels are all handling their pools differently. For example, the Harraseeket Inn, where I stayed in October, required guests to book a pool time slot. Your comfort level may depend on certain criteria like the size of the pool, how crowded it gets, how ventilated it is, and whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Do they provide fresh towels? Is someone cleaning off lounge chairs and tables? Ask the hotel how they’re handling it.
HERE ARE SOME EXTRA TIPS…
I planned out every single thing I wanted to do while there (shocking right?). This is not the time to be spontaneous.
You may want to avoid third party booking sites because they may be stricter about cancelations.
Bring along a bottle of wine or ingredients to make a cocktail if you don’t want to go to the hotel bar. Some people are bringing small coolers filled with ice.
Bring your own snacks so you don’t need to buy any.
Ask about their cancelation policy. You never know what may happen, so it’s best to find out about refunds before you book.
Ask the hotel if they recommend guests wear masks or if it they REQUIRE it. There’s a huge difference!
Don’t be afraid to ask the hotel lots of questions. Your safety and comfort are their biggest goals, so they should be happy to answer them all. If not, then that can be a red flag.
