Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor GM, Marie-Berengere Chapoton, tells of international best practice and preparing for the future.
The property has been open and welcoming guests during the pandemic. The GM explains: “Our team has in place Accor ALLSAFE safety procedures, which have clearly laid out guidelines to ensure the safety of the guests as well as staff.
“Sanitary measures have been driven at a global corporate level by Accor, to ensure that all 5,000-plus hotels are following the right sanitary actions. An important step is the nomination of safety officers which we have in each of our departments and a nurse. They are appointed to ensure that we are respecting all the sanitation and disinfection procedures in our hotel to welcome our guests.”
The hotel team has been constantly adapting to the current situation and continuing to serve its local population with Marie-Berengere adding: “We have created a takeaway and delivery option for the local community. The menu offers a variety of options ranging from international, Asian, Indian to Khaleeji and Bahraini delicacies to offer our customers the maximum choice with the expertise of Chef Abdel Kader and our pastry specialist, Chef Siraj. Our focus is, and always will be, to make sure all safety and sanitary procedures are also implemented in our delivery process.”
REINVENTION
Looking to the future, the GM, who joined the property as it recently became part of the Accor group, is confident and looking forward to the easing of restrictions. She says: “During these challenging times, the entire team has worked with dedication and adapted to the ever-changing landscape. As countries start opening their borders and cities come back to life, the Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor team has put in place a contingency plan which includes several measures to prepare for the reopening. Restaurants and spas, as per government directives, have in place measures such as maintaining safe social distancing, restrictions on how many people will be permitted at one time, stringent measures for safety for the guests and staff and focus on contactless communication. The spa is currently providing limited services to ensure compliance with Accor and ministry regulations.
“Rest assured, as a property we have had the opportunity to reinvent ourselves and we are excited to welcome our guests back with new initiatives that have started to be enacted at the hotel.
“The staff have received training as per the Accor-level standards since the start of the pandemic. This training is constantly reviewed and improved, to make sure the team is always in line with what happens on a current basis. It is of the greatest importance to us that staff and guests are well taken care of.”
