17 April, 2020
If there's one thing that the coronavirus crisis has shown, it's the world's willingness to come together to support the most vulnerable in our communities. In the wake of the pandemic, hotels across the globe have rallied to fling open their doors, fire up their kitchens and connect with their at-risk neighbours. Rooms have been donated to front-line medical heroes, food delivered and money raised for vital medical equipment. Instead of staying vacant with rooms gathering dust, these hotels have led the way in doing their bit.
Alentejo, Portugal
As soon as a national emergency was declared in Portugal, the owner of Craveriral Farmhouse sprung into action. Rooms became available for the police patrolling the streets and the kitchen was opened to feed those on long shifts. Low-cost meals, essential items and prescriptions were being delivered to the community and any spare rooms were made available for those needed to isolate themselves from high-risk family members.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Four grand dames of the Amalfi Coast - Le Sirenuse, Hotel Santa Caterina, Palazzo Avino and Il San Pietro - have joined forces to raise money for medical research and aid to produce a vaccine against COVID-19. Each of the legendary hotels are offering ten vouchers (with an expiry of 2022) worth £4,395 each in a hope to raise more than £175,000. The hotel vouchers include a two-night stay, dinner at Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 and other personalised perks such as martini-mixing lessons, sommelier-led wine tastings and spa treatments. We'll take five.
London, UK
After shutting for the first time in its 200-year history, Claridge's reopened its doors for our incredible NHS staff. Forty doctors and nurses from St Mary's Hospital who aren't unable to live at home will receive free beds, dinner and breakfast. Claridge's led the way for the 200 hotels that have also welcomed our heroic NHS nurses and doctors.
UK
Up and down the country, The Pig Hotels are using their farm-to-fork ethos to help feed the vulnerable in their communities. Its organic kitchen gardens and chicken coops are delivering free, fresh eggs and vegetables to neighbouring villages' doors - including lunch to the gorillas at Howletts Wildlife Park.
Lake Como, Italy
Like many others celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in isolation, Grand Hotel Tremezzo had to cancel its 110th birthday party. Instead of blaming Carole Baskin with a series of memes on Instagram, it's donating the generous budget to Italian hospitals who need to purchase vital medical equipment.
County Clare, Ireland
With kitchens equipped for banquets, Dromoland Castle has opened them up to prep and deliver meals to the nearby elderly population. The region's most vulnerable are able to feast like kings and queens.
London and Paris
Trailblazers of the budget, boutique and business beds, citizenM has taken its tripped-out tech and donated 800 iPads to hospitals, helping keep patients connected with their friends and family.
A Portuguese initiative set up by Turismo de Portugal, GuestCentric and HiJiffy as part of the Tech4COVID19 movement, the platform allows hotels and Airbnb owners to make their rooms available for medical staff to book a free 30-day stay. More than 1,500 rooms for more than 300 medical staff were made available within the first week.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin was one of the first cities to pilot initiatives aimed at protecting the cities homeless population against COVID-19. Orania.Berlin has used to its resources to provide some 800 meals, while Industriepalast - a hostel whose beds are usually filled with visitors trying to beg their way into Berghain - has offered up its 400 beds to keep the homeless safe.
London, UK
Taking inspiration from the hundreds of thousands of community WhatsApp groups that have been set up to check-in on those isolating alone, The Hari has promised to phone and write letters to local residents. Its hotel staff also set up a delivery service of food, necessities and medication to the community.
Texas, US
The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit in the pandemic, with many jobs and livelihoods being lost. This Texan wellness centre is making sure its workers are well looked after with collard greens, beets, onion and lettuce - all grown in the grounds - being donated to staff and their families.
New York, US
Shortly after New York was identified as epicentre of the pandemic in the US, the Four Seasons made the decision to offer its rooms to nurses, doctors and key workers, with the Whythe Hotel and Room Mate Grace quickly following suit. In addition to the heroes of the pandemic being offered complimentary hotel accommodation, 20 hotels - including the St Regis New York in Manhattan - will be turning into makeshift hospitals. Ten thousand beds have been secured to ease the pressure on hospitals at capacity.
