Allow self check-in
While we have a long and happy tradition of encouraging robust contact between guests and owners, just at the moment we strongly recommend offering self check-in. We’re aiming for this to be the default option for all self-catering places, but if it isn’t possible then this will be flagged on your page and you can provide a social distanced check-in by staying 2m away from guests. You may also need to give guests more detailed maps and instructions for finding the place, and send information for the stay digitally instead of leaving hard copies.
If you aren’t able to offer self check-in or a socially distanced check-in, please tell us how you plan to safely manage check-ins by emailing members@sawdays.co.uk.
Welcome packs and items kept at your place
Give some thought to your welcome packs and what guests may need to know. You could reassure them about social distancing and the deep cleaning measures you’ve put in place. Your welcome pack, ‘things to do’ literature and visitor comment books could all be emailed as a PDF before the guests arrive, as they fall into the category of things guests often touch. The same goes for books and board games, so if you’re going to take these away then do let guests know so they can bring their own.
Please make sure that guests have your telephone number so they can call you to talk anything through, and take special care.
Visiting guests during their stay
If you normally deliver breakfast as part of the guest’s stay, then consider leaving this outside instead – more like a self-serve breakfast. Or provide a breakfast hamper (again, not delivered in person) that they then cook themselves as an alternative that they then cook themselves. If you normally offer lots of choices for delivered meals during a stay, you may want to consider reducing or even stopping this at the moment. You just need to make sure guests know what to expect before they arrive.
If something needs fixing or explaining during the stay, try to talk things through as remotely as possible, so that you don’t have to enter the space. If you do have to go in as a last resort then ask the guests to come out first, then wash your hands before and after you touch anything.
Sociable areas
If your place to stay has multiple spaces and areas where guests can mingle, consider how you can make these work even with social distancing. We don’t know yet what restrictions will be in place around tourism, but shared spaces, like children’s play areas, may not be possible.
If you’d rather not take these shared spaces away then it may be possible to give allocated time slots to guests and either thoroughly clean in between or give guests clear instructions on how to clean before they leave. Plenty of cleaning stuff should be available and this should also be explained as part of the check-in.
Hot tubs (where relevant)
During this time we imagine it won’t be possible for different guests to share the same hot tub. If you have private hot tubs which can be cleaned between uses, then it is possible to continue to offer them to guests. Or if you have a hot tub that is normally shared, consider offering it to one space only or making it available on request so you can safely clean it between guests.