The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd announced its Healthy Stays commitment with enhanced cleanliness standards and protocols for its 430+ worldwide members. For more than nine decades, Leading Hotels has been at the forefront of creating the highest standards that have set the bar for worldwide luxury hospitality. The passionate hoteliers of its independent, family-led hotels have welcomed guests for generations with remarkable care. During the pandemic, Leading Hotels’ Healthy Stays commitment is a continuation of the meticulous standards members have abided by for nearly a century.

• “The health and safety of our guests and colleagues is our top priority. As our properties begin to re-open, we want our guests to be assured that their stays are safe and clean,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President of Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “Guests can take comfort knowing that Leading Hotels has taken the necessary steps to achieve the highest standards of cleanliness, coupled with our first-class service.”

Leading Hotels’ Healthy Stays commitment includes three steps.

Expert medical guidance

Leading Hotels collaborated with Dr. Michael Kotler of RemoteMD, Dr. Alan Neuman of ProHealth Environmental, and John Kosmeh Ph.D., a FEMA Emergency Response Trainer, to develop Best Practice Guidelines specifically for member hotels. These guidelines for COVID-19 disinfection ensure Leading Hotels are taking the steps necessary to create the safest possible environment for their guests and employees. It focuses on hotel initiatives to reduce the potential for exposure and spread of the virus, while increasing the opportunity to improve current health standards. The guide was carefully crafted for Leading’s independent hotels. It has sections advising hotel front-and back-of-house practices and procedures on communication and training plans.

Gold standard cleanliness accreditation

To certify its global portfolio of hotels meet a higher level of cleanliness and safety, Leading Hotels has partnered with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, to offer GBAC STAR facility accreditation to its members. GBAC STAR is a performance-based accreditation programme that helps facilities establish a comprehensive system for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention. To achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, facilities must demonstrate compliance with the programme’s 20 elements regarding documented work systems, protocols and procedures.

Enhanced hygiene standards

Leading Hotels assurance of cleanliness is a continuation of the meticulous standards member hotels have abided by for nearly a century. Leading Hotels has partnered with Leading Quality Assurance (LQA) to develop new hygiene standards for hotel audits. Each Leading Hotel is assessed annually by a LQA audit. The inspection report is based on more than 800 stringent criteria factoring into Leading Hotels membership. Exacting standards with respect to accommodations, service, cuisine, staff, facilities and hygiene are taken into consideration. The new hygiene standards will be published in June and may include, but are not limited to

• Did the hotel have a documented process in place to check employee temperatures?
• Was hand sanitizer available at employee entrance, changing rooms, restrooms and café?
• Was public area furniture rearranged to ensure social distancing?
• Were social distancing practices in place for queue, seating and communication management?
• Was printed cleaning/hygiene protocols prominently displayed in the fitness center?

Leading Hotels will continue to enhance cleanliness standards during this unique time. Leading’s hoteliers will gather for exclusive roundtables and panels to discuss their individual hotel and region’s cleanliness practices and recommendations. They will address next generation cleanliness standards, operating guidelines and the most pressing issues. The coalition of worldwide members will ensure Leading Hotels continue to serve as the benchmark for the luxury hospitality industry.

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About Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC)

Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery, GBAC, a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance, and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address, and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management programme assessment and training, Forensic Restoration response and remediation, the GBAC STAR facility accreditation programme, training and certification of individuals, and consulting for building owners and facility managers.

About Leading Quality Assurance (LQA)

LQA is one of the global market leaders in quality assurance assessments and benchmarking analysis for the luxury hospitality industry. LQA provides unparalleled insights, strategies, and actionable intelligence to hotel clients in 130 countries to help them monitor service delivery, elevate their guest's experience, and improve operating performance. LQA supports over 70% of the luxury hotel market with its signature hotel assessment product. A hotel assessment is carried out over a three-day, two-night anonymous stay by an experienced hospitality professional, measuring 800 quantitative and qualitative standards with a focus on emotional intelligence. LQA is the only partner that provides an in-person conversation between the Consultant and property leadership immediately following the audit to review preliminary findings and discuss strategies for improvement. LQA's 50 full-time Consultants represent 14 nationalities and speak 15 languages to ensure a global perspective.

About RemoteMD

RemoteMD has developed a global reputation for its quality of medical care and provides a variety of services for some of the most recognized companies in the world. RemoteMD combines cutting edge technology, methodology and training, with a rare understanding of how to truly execute the practice of providing remote medical care. Since its inception, RemoteMD has served clients across seven continents in some of the most remote and austere areas of the world.

About ProHealth Environmental

ProHealth Environmental uses a wide range of nontoxic FDA approved products and technologies to help businesses throughout the US mitigate COVID-19 and other infectious organisms in the work place, communities, schools, and government facilities.