The LightStrike™ Germ-Zapping™ Robot sanitizes rooms at the Westin Houston Medical Center, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and The Beverly Hilton in California with UV light to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus. (Source: Xenex Disinfection Services™)

Hotels Use Room Servicing, Delivery Robots to Keep Virus from Scaring Guests Away

The majority of the public has been locked down for almost 6 months now in one way or another. And the itch to get out and about has affected many people during the traditional vacation months, in spite of genuine fear bout traveling and staying in hotels.

In a USAToday.com story, David Oliver writes about how hotels are seeking to give travelers enough peace of mind to book rooms by using  robots to clean them. Certain Hilton and Marriott hotels across California are already advertising that fact.

“The industry and experts say that it’s relatively safe to stay in a hotel during the coronavirus pandemic – as long as you’re adhering to protocols like wearing masks and social distancing. One surefire way to ensure social distancing during a stay is to have a robot deliver items to your room.”

Rosé the Robot

At the Hotel Trio in Healdsburg, California in Sonoma Valley wine country (a Marriott hotel), Rosé the “social distancing robot ambassador” has been available to entertain guests since it opened in July 2018. But beginning in March, Rosé became more than just an entertainer.

As the hotel explained in a written statement:

“For guests who prefer contactless deliveries, Rosé provides them with peace of mind as she can deliver items to their suite,” Scott Satterfield, general manager of Hotel Trio.

Rosé can bring guests anything, either in-house or via a complimentary shopping service: wine, pillows, pet treats, towels and groceries. The robot gets sanitized after each delivery.

Cleaning Robots

The Westin Houston Medical Center added two virus-zapping robots in March to address the need to sanitize rooms thoroughly for people getting treatment or visiting patients.

The LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots, made by San Antonio-based Xenex Disinfection Services for hospitals, cost about $100,000 each. They emit broad-spectrum ultraviolet light to destroy viruses and bacteria in minutes. After the hotel’s regular cleaning by housekeepers, they are sent in for a “super-sterilizing second blast” without added chemical risk.

Robots won’t replace people because they can’t make beds or handle front desk work, not to mention room repairs, but they are becoming part of the hotel staff. Expect more in other professions to become part of the “new normal” that we all are still a little unsure about.

read more at usatoday.com