NOVOTEL MUSCAT AIRPORT HOTEL: Hygiene practices that outshine others

 

“We have done away with the single use plastic in the hotel, and it resonated well with the guest experience and also leaves a cleaner, greener planet for the coming generations.”

 

Filed under
Hospitality
 
October 19, 2023
 
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NOVOTEL MUSCAT AIRPORT HOTEL: Hygiene practices that outshine others
 

At NOVOTEL MUSCAT AIRPORT HOTEL, we are committed to provide a clean, tidy, safe, healthy environment to our guests. Post covid, the travelers are focused more than ever in the cleanliness and hygiene aspect of the stay and it influences the booking choice and also creates a positive first impression.

In order to maintain high standards of cleanliness, Novotel Muscat Airport has established effective cleaning and hygiene protocols and below are a key focus areas we would recommend for having a great guest experience and clean hotel. 

Developing and implementing a comprehensive cleaning program
We have a cleaning programme which covers all front and back areas of the hotel including lobby, guest rooms, food and beverage outlets and heart of the house areas. The same is monitored by various checklists (hourly, daily, monthly etc. as per the area and specific demands) and we have identified the touch points to make sure the sanitation is done at the most optimum manner. 

Choice of right quality and quantity of cleaning products

Cleaning agents used in hotels should be effective at removing dirt and germs while also being safe for guests and employees.

Choice of right quality tools 

Use the technology and go for good quality equipment like vacuum cleaners, scrubbing machines etc. Trying to save costs and buy low quality equipment would mean frequent breakdowns and repairs which would not only cost money, but also impact the quality of cleaning. 

Choice of right partners 

We have many outsourced services like pest control, landscaping etc. which have a major impact on hygiene and cleanliness. We have chosen the partners based on their quality assessment scores (look for certified partners, well trained crew & always take referrals before finalizing a vendor). 

Keep people informed and training 

We ensure that our team is trained on the SOP’s (Standard operating procedures) and has on the job training before they start their jobs. Some of the critical areas include, chemical handling training, personal hygiene, departmental SOPs and periodic refreshers are conducted. 

Monitor the success and look out for constant improvement 

We place a very high emphasis on measuring our success through monitoring our guest review scores on various platforms and post stay survey forms. Benchmark your scores with the other hotels and the market and strive for constant improvement. 

Focus on F&B 

F&B outlets are under close scrutiny these days. A pest sighting or an unclean premise would be high off putting and can invite fines, bad reviews and compensation claims from the guests. Implement a good food safety program like HACCP and ensure there are regular cleaning checklists and thorough cleaning is done between mea periods and a deep cleaning done at night after the outlet is closed. Look for pest activity signs and ensure the team members are maintaining the highest levels of personal hygiene. 

Don’t forget the planet 

All our products are environmentally friendly and sustainably certified labels. Those products are not only safe to use, it goes in line with our common goal of acting sustainably. We have done away with the single use plastic in the hotel, and it resonated well with the guest experience and also leaves a cleaner, greener planet for the coming generations. 

About the author:

Sushant Nambiar is the General Manager of Novotel Muscat Airport Hotel.