Some hotels started offering COVID testing to guests at the end of 2020. For example, Marriott International rolled out COVID testing at certain Marriott-branded hotels in the United States as part of its Commitment to Clean initiative.
Then Wynn Resorts followed suit rolling out a saliva-based testing lab on the premises of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.
Now, COVID-19 tests have taken on added importance as starting Jan. 26, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entry into the United States.
Among the chains now offering on-site COVID-19 testing is Karisma Hotels & Resorts.
All Karisma Hotels & Resorts in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica will offer complimentary, on-site COVID-19 antigen testing as per CDC guidelines for guests who are traveling to the U.S. Testing will be available free of charge at the hotels for guests departing as of January 26 in response to new CDC requirements that all air passengers entering the United States produce a negative antigen test.
If a guest’s return travel test results are positive, Karisma will provide quarantine accommodations until a doctor certifies clearance for travel with a negative test result for a period not to exceed 14 nights.
These amenities are available for guests traveling through March 31, 2021. Policies are subject to be reviewed and changed according COVID-19 protocol updates.
Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts is offering testing as well as it expands its Purely Palace and Purely Le Blanc programs.
Its resorts throughout Mexico and Jamaica are offering onsite COVID-19 antigen testing that will be conducted on property at no cost to guests (for up to two guests per room) traveling to the United States. Results will be received within 30 minutes, and documentation will be ready for guests to present at the airport for their journey back home. For guests traveling to countries requiring PCR testing instead, concierge teams will help facilitate testing onsite through a third party. Additional fees will apply.
Should a guest test positive, preventing departure, Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts will cover the cost of quarantine for up to 14 days at no cost to guests, for up to two guests per room should both guests test positive.
AIC Hotel Group is also offering convenient and affordable onsite testing options and medical assistance at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels, UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya and Nobu Hotel Los Cabos.
All existing and new U.S. reservations of 3 or more nights booked by February 28, 2021 checking out between January 26 and December 31, 2021 or until the government mandate is lifted will receive 2 complimentary antigen tests per room. Additional tests can be purchased for $50 USD.
AIC Hotel Group will also provide complimentary onsite medical assistance for all existing and new reservations traveling until December 31, 2021 or until the government mandate is lifted. In the event that a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while at the hotel, the onsite medical assistance will cover the cost of their extended hotel stay as they quarantine.
Palladium Hotel Group is also making the PCR COVID-19 test available on-property free of costa at the doctor’s office. The onsite doctor performs the test and the results will be available within 72 hrs after. It is recommended that guests schedule the appointment upon check-in at the hotel.
Palladium Hotel Group also launched the free medical care insurance, Stay Safe Plus, created to protect guests against any unforeseen circumstances of the current health emergency.
La Colección Resorts is also offering free antigen tests to guests at its beach hotels. The resorts’ concierge desk will coordinate with local laboratories so guests can take the test inside hotel facilities 36 hours before their departure. PCR tests will also be available at an additional cost.
In addition to these services, the Travel with Confidence Protection program also offers guests full coverage of accidents or illnesses (including COVID-19) from the time of check-in to check-out and telehealth assistance for up to 72 hours, hotel expenses during recovery, and 24-hour services among other benefits at an extra cost of $4 USD per night. Should a guest test positive, a substantial discounted nightly rate of $10 per night (plus taxes), per person, will be offered during quarantine.
Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada and Barbados is also offering complimentary pre-departure COVID testing at its resorts through March 31.
Another property offering on-site COVID-19 testing is Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway in Puerto Vallarta.
The Buenaventura Hotel Group, of which Villa Premiere is part, has an agreement with a certified laboratory, SANLOR Laboratorio, in order to make this new process as smooth as possible for its guests.
Appointments for COVID-19 testing can be made with the hotel’s concierge and will take place in a private location at the property or can be done at one of the four locations the laboratory has around the destination.
Visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov for more information on the requirements. For further insight into testing requirements, click here.
