Bellmoor Inn & Spa reopens with safety protocols in place

Following the state and local government’s accordance, The Bellmoor Inn & Spa reopened to guests and team members as of June 1.

Located in the heart of Delaware’s coastal community of Rehoboth Beach, the award-winning hotel was reopened under the guidance of its Safeguarding Our Guests strategy. Policies were crafted to adapt and implement World Health Organization precautionary hygiene protocols, Centers for Disease Control recommendations, and American Hotel & Lodging Association Safe Stay initiatives, along with state, federal and local guidelines to ensure that a clean, safe and healthy environment is provided for guests and staff.

“The safety, health and well-being of our guests, partners and employees has been and remains a top priority,” said Benjamin Gray, Bellmoor Inn & Spa general manager. “We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following the lead of the CDC, WHO, and government agencies, and are looking forward to providing a safe and relaxing retreat for our old and existing guests.”

The Bellmoor Inn & Spa, the No. 1-rated hotel in Rehoboth, has been a pillar of the Mid-Atlantic destination resort town's hospitality community for more than 20 years. In addition to 78 guest rooms, the Bellmoor features a spa, communal dining space, landscaped interior courtyard, curated library, two pools and beach access for guests.

Bellmoor Inn & Spa will open at full capacity, with reduced capacity enforced in public spaces, and implement the following precautionary measures: All employees in all departments have undergone specific coronavirus training to ensure the highest levels of health and safety, and hygiene procedures. Employees have been trained to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, along with use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer every 60 minutes, as well as immediately after the following activities: using the restroom, touching the face, cleaning, sweeping, mopping, smoking, eating, drinking, after removing any protective equipment, going on break and before or after starting a shift. Employees must have their temperature checked before entering a workplace. If an employee is showing symptoms of COVID-19 such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they have been advised not to come to work.

Team members have been instructed to discontinue handshaking and use non-contact methods of greeting. Additional hand sanitizing stations have been placed in common areas throughout the resort as well as in employee back-of-house areas such as time clocks, break rooms and locker rooms.

Every employee is required to wear a mask while on property, and use gloves and goggles if their responsibilities require them, such as housekeeping, public area attendants, engineers and anyone who may come in direct contact with guests. All employees have been provided training on proper usage and disposal of such items.

The hotel is spending extra time using sanitation methods in advance of guest arrival, and staff will avoid entering a room that has been cleaned.  All disinfectant products meet EPA criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Additional cleaning staff have been added to increase the frequency of deep cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces. Thorough cleaning and disinfection time will be implemented between stays in a room.

All employees and guests are required by Delaware state law to wear face masks in all public spaces. All employees and guests are expected to stay at least six feet away from others not traveling together. In areas where there is high traffic, the management has added floor markings and signage so people know where to stand to comply with physical distancing. All meeting and banquet setups will allow for physical distancing between guests. After every event, the room will be cleaned and disinfected. A maximum of six guests may utilize the pool at a time.

The hotel has created a mobile check-in and express checkout via the in-room smart TV to limit contact with the front desk. All guests will be asked to utilize hand sanitizer located throughout the property, practice physical distancing and limit contact with employees as much as possible. In-room dining will be limited to delivery only. Orders should be placed by telephone. When ready, orders will be left outside the door to limit contact. Per state regulations, face masks must be worn at all times in any enclosed or covered building.