Hotels close their doors or stay open for NHS staff

Hotels across the country, including the Ned, the Savoy, Watergate Bay and Hoxton hotels, have announced closures due to the coronavirus crisis, while many that remain open have welcomed NHS staff.

Other hotels that have announced closures include the Castle at Taunton in Somerset; the Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire; Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex; Artist Residence hotels; Home Grown Hotels' Lime Wood and Pig hotels; and Rockliffe Hall in Darlington, County Durham. Dukes Mayfair and Rosewood London in Holborn closed last week.

The five-red-AA-starred, 18-bedroom Palé Hall in Bala Gwynedd has said it is closing but keeping all staff on full salary.

The government advised restaurants, bars and pubs to stop trading on Friday, but stopped short of telling hotels to close.

UKHospitality has advised hoteliers to only accept business from key workers, those on essential business travel and vulnerable workers, and stressed that rooms may be required for those essential workers who may be unable to stay at their homes or are required to move around the country as the need arises.

The Town Hall hotel in London’s Bethnal Green has started offering NHS workers rooms for £50 per night and 50% off room service.

Last week, Best Western and Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville’s Manchester hotels – Hotel Football and Stock Exchange hotel – announced they would be offering rooms to NHS staff. Meanwhile, more than 300 of InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) London rooms will be used to allow the homeless to self-isolate.

UKHospitality advises hotels against accepting leisure bookings >>

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Hotels including Rosewood and Dukes start announcing closures >>