Plan Hotel reopens with high occupancy, joins with Global Biorisk to fight COVID-19

Diamonds Dream of Africa is the luxury hotel with 33 Junior Suites and two Suites. | PHOTO COURTESY

The Planhotel Malindi resort of hotel trio – Diamonds Dream of Africa, Sandies Malindi Dream Garden and Sandies Tropical Village – reopened to both domestic and international guests from Saturday, 1 August.      

Occupancy started at 60%  at the weekend, and Alexander Zissimatos, general manager is delighted that the re-opening is so positive.  “We hope it continues for the rest of the year”, he said.

As a member of Small Luxury Hotel of the World (SLH), Diamonds Dream of Africa is incorporating the Stay Safe. Stay Small initiative, offering enhanced health and detailed safety guidelines launched by SLH for all 520 member hotels in 90 countries.

Diamond Resort Malindi has prepared for the re-opening with the highest safety standards. And in order to safeguard these standards, the Kenyan coastal resort (through SLH) has entered a partnership with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) for its hotels to pursue the GBAC STAR™ accreditation. 

This performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention programme helps hotels minimize risks associated with infectious agents and biohazards. 

GBAC STAR accreditation provides third-party validation to ensure the three hotels have the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices in place so guests can truly relax during their stay.

In addition to GBAC accreditation, Planhotel Malindi has initiated a 24-hours vacated room turnaround program.  “After the last guest has stayed, no one, including our staff will enter the room for 24 hours”, Alexander Zissimatos said.

“Further, our food and beverage set up will ensure social distancing between tables.  We look forward to welcoming back our guests and assure them of a safe holiday”, he concluded.

Planhotel took the unprecedented step to offer transferrable Holidaybonds in June 2020, valid for two years at any of their Kenyan properties.  One bond covered the value of one night accommodation for two, on an all inclusive basis (all meals and drinks) at 50% of the cost.

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