Hospitality Security Guidelines: Ways to keep your hotel guests safe
There are many factors to think about when you run a hotel. Firstly, depending on which market you are tapping into, there will be a variety of ways in which you can make your establishment stand out from the crowd. You’ll have to carry out a lot of research of nearby properties in order to see what is working for competitors.
You have to figure out your target audience and discover the best way to make a a return on your investment. Figuring out your unique selling point is key to succeeding. However, one aspect which must be the same throughout every hotel is safety. Your guests’ safety is paramount to your business. Here, we look at how you can correctly safeguard your hotel:
Electric
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is crucial to anyone who runs, or plans to run, a hotel or guest house. This is because, since your business is constantly running, your systems can be subject to wear, tear, corrosion and overloading. Such a report, which must be carried out by a qualified electrician, will ensure that the electrical appliances in each room are fit for purpose.
You limit the risk of electrical shocks, fires and accidents by regularly running these checks, therefore reducing accidents in the workplace – something which is a legal requirement since the introduction of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Gas
Like electric, your business gas and appliances require regular checks to be carried out. The Gas Safety Regulations 1998 states that you must arrange annual gas safety checks for any appliances that are serving guest accommodation, even if it’s sited away from the guests’ rooms.
In addition, make sure you provide training to staff members on how to safely use any gas appliances. You should also show them how to carry our visual checks, so they can spot obvious faults. This could include any damaged pipework or connections. While any new installations must be carried out by someone who is Gas Safe-registered, anyone can change a LPG gas cylinder or hose once they are competent to do so.
Carbon monoxide and dioxide alarms are also essential. These alarms can signify any fault and help you avoid any catastrophes. They should give an audible alarm when levels are dangerous and should be able to automatically shut off your gas system.
Staff uniform
While this probably sounds like it doesn’t need mentioning, having a corporate uniform is a must. Not only does it help your business look professional and smart, but it also gives your guests a clear view of who they can approach about a query, and who indeed is allowed in certain areas of the business. In guest areas, knowing who members of staff are is essential. This is because it shows that your company have guests’ safety at the forefront due to staff always patrolling the areas.
Have a clear emergency response plan
Your team must know what their role is in the event of an emergency. Regular meetings with law enforcement and emergency services should be scheduled so you have a good communication plan in place and can update it as and when required. In doing so, you can prepare your staff so that everyone is calm and knowledgeable in a worst-case scenario.
The director of hotel group, Cairn, Aneil Handa, said: “We make sure all our staff have sufficient training to know how to act in an emergency. Communication is key as it’s clear we must be calm and composed in critical moments as this can help us make sure both our guests and staff members are as safe as possible and can help avoid possible catastrophes.”
CCTV
Instil confidence in your guests by installing CCTV cameras. IP CCTV systems are a great way to monitor your hotel and can even be accessed remotely. Certain systems also come with a voice command option, which means that if you spot any wrong-doing, you can quickly warn those involved to stop their actions.
Online data
The physical safety of your guests shouldn’t be your sole focus, either. Hotels have become a prime target for cyber attacks. According to a report by PwC, the hospitality industry has the second-highest number of cybersecurity breaches, with many of the prominent hotels in the industry having fallen victim to breaches.
Reduce this risk by updating your systems on a regular basis. You should also be making sure that backing up your data becomes a habit, so you can eliminate the risk of losing it or having it irretrievably damaged. A recommended strategy is to use a cloud service daily, have weekly server backups, and follow these up with quarterly server backups and then yearly backups.
Just as is the case with your personal devices, password security is also important. Be sure to change it often and make sure you change it any time a staff member leaves to avoid any breaches.
The safety of your guests in the hospitality industry is huge. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep on top of the methods you are using. Following the above steps should help provide your business with a great insight on how to keep your guests as safe as possible.
Why You Should Book a Serviced Apartment
8 Reasons Why You Should Book a Serviced Apartment over a Hotel
Ever wondered why you should book a serviced apartment over a hotel? Well, we are here to make that process of deciding easier.
We must all agree that nothing is quite as refreshing as a holiday. It always gives you the opportunity to unwind, relax, and enjoy a bit of time either alone or with family.
However, it doesn’t end there. Second in line is choosing your destination and picking the right accommodation. Unfortunately, if you are not careful, this could just ruin your holiday!
Choosing your accommodation may result in you or your family having a comfortable holiday or a stressful one. We are here to strongly advocate for Serviced apartments as a great option for every kind of traveler.
Here is why:
Space
We all love space. Be it in our own homes or away from home.
There’s nothing quite stressful than arriving at your booked accommodation after a long flight or road trip to find that you’re stuck with a cramped shoebox of a room. Serviced apartments provide a generous living space with room to rest and recuperate. On average, serviced apartments are 30% larger than a hotel guest room, so this makes them an ideal solution for travelling with others, particularly children.
Serviced apartments also tend to include a kitchen, living room, and bedroom area. This can either be all in the same studio space or in a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment. This makes travelling convenient for those wanting to continue cooking meals or saving money on food while away on holiday.
Carefree Family Holidays
Travelling with the family can sometimes be a stressful experience, but with the right services, you can take the hassle out of family holidays. Serviced apartments provide ample space to avoid that claustrophobic feeling of having the kids in the same space as yourself. You’ll also have private access to up-to-date entertainment systems like large TVs, DVD players, and in some cases, pay TV as well. This makes serviced apartments an excellent option for those who might need to entertain guests while on holiday.
Cost Effective
You don’t have to downgrade to 2 stars to make your trip affordable. Serviced apartments give you luxury accommodation without the hefty hotel price tag. Not only will you have comfortable and stylish apartments at an affordable price, but you can save by cooking all your meals in the kitchenette and storing groceries in your apartment fridge.
Eliminating or cutting down on the meals you eat out will make a huge difference to your holiday budget.
You can use the money you save to do more shopping or spend more on memorable experiences in your chosen city. When looking for prices of apartments, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that many are priced competitively to hotels, and are sometimes even cheaper than staying at a cramped hotel room.
That ‘Home Away From Home’ Feeling
Many people choose serviced apartments because they have that ‘home away from home’ feeling. Instead of a cold, unfriendly hotel room, you’ll have a large accommodating room with comfortable furniture and a relaxed atmosphere.
You’ll no longer feel a sense of being homesick if you stay in a serviced apartment. Instead, you’ll feel like you’re staying at your new (temporary) home, which is only going to give you more time to relax while on holiday.
The added privacy of serviced apartments will give you comfort as you unwind. Having all your amenities and eating needs taken care of in one well-thought-out space will give you peace of mind as you don’t have to worry about sharing cooking or washing spaces as in hostels or some motels. Having home comforts such as DVD player, music systems, Wi-Fi, and private telephone line all make the experience even more comfortable.
Centrally Located
Having your accommodation close to the city hubs can add immeasurable enjoyment to your holiday. Longonot Place Serviced apartments are located in Nairobi’s CBD. These are ideal locations for those who want to spend their days shopping in all busy shopping centers and boutique stores. Having all of the city’s most iconic and breathtaking sights at your doorstep will make your trip a breeze.
The hottest restaurants and nightclubs will be a quick taxi ride away. You can easily spend less time worrying about how you’ll get from A to B and instead spend more time having a good holiday.
A Customized Experience
Staying in a serviced apartment is an experience like no other. You can have a customized service that really cannot be achieved in a standard hotel room stay. You can call ahead and ask for some requests such as calling ahead for secured parking. Or perhaps you want some of your favorite snacks stocked in the kitchen pantry. Serviced apartments are often accommodating to such requests.
The Best of Housekeeping
Staying at home you often have the hassles of cleaning up after yourself every day so that you’re not living in your own filth. Many opt for a hotel room as they want to have some service while out for the day, such as the bed being made, and having some fresh towels. Some hotels won’t even provide this service unless you’re staying for a specific period of time set by them.
A serviced apartment, however, means that you can stay in the comfort and luxury of a ‘home away from home’, plus have the added benefits of great housekeeping services. Cleaning and a daily linen and towel service is often standard with serviced apartments, so you needn’t lift a finger during your stay.
Great for Business or Pleasure
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to stay with the whole family, or somewhere to stay while on a business trip, you can’t really go past the convenience of a serviced apartment.
Business people travelling through cities will sometimes want somewhere to stay that doesn’t feel like a lonely hotel room. The serviced apartment also works for those needing to undertake conference calls and business meetings online or on the phone. With all the amenities needed in order to do your work in comfort, a serviced apartment is a great option for those travelling on business.
