Hotels Are Reopening in the U.S. Here’s What You Need to Know.

As coronavirus lockdown measures ease across the United States, a domestic trip is likely to be one of your first travel experiences. If it’s a hotel or resort stay you are truly yearning for, you may have more options than you realize.

When the coronavirus pandemic reached a crescendo in the United States in mid-March and states throughout the country began issuing shelter-in-place orders in an effort to flatten the curve, thousands of hotels were forced to temporarily close. They did so either because regulations prohibited them from operating (such as in California where hotels were only allowed to stay open if they were housing essential workers), or because of a severe drop-off in guests as travelers canceled their plans en masse to adhere to the lockdown measures and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In recent weeks, states have been easing restrictions on businesses and in many cases that includes hotels, which are increasingly being given the green light to welcome leisure travelers back.

Of the 57,528 hotels in the United States (or 5.4 million hotel rooms), at least 5,241 hotels temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to data provided to AFAR by hotel research company STR. As of June 10, 3,172 of those hotels had reopened, and 2,069 properties remained temporarily closed due to the pandemic, STR stated.

Marriott International last month reported that roughly a quarter of its worldwide hotels were closed (it did not specify what percentage of those were in the United States). Occupancy levels at the start of May dipped down to 20 percent at Marriott’s North America properties—but the company said it expects occupancy levels to begin to climb back up “as national, state and local restrictions around travel and business are gradually relaxed.”

Data indicates that demand for hotel stays is beginning to return. Hotel searches in the United States rose 36 percent for the week ending May 31, compared to the week ending March 29, according to a recent report released by travel booking site TripAdvisor. “Since mid-May, searches for domestic travel due to take place in less than 30 days’ time have grown rapidly in the U.S.,” the online travel site stated in its report.

While a growing number of us may be searching and dreaming about a hotel stay, it’s important to remember that a hotel stay during the coronavirus pandemic is likely going to look and feel a lot different than in prepandemic times. Here are some things to take into account before you start looking at rates and dates.

How to figure out which hotels are open

State and country rules determine if a hotel is allowed to open. If you aren’t quite sure what the rules are most hotel search and booking tools like Hotels.com, Booking.com, and TabletHotels.com already have hotel openings and availability baked into their search.

However, things are changing so quickly that even these highly efficient online booking giants can’t always keep up. If you find a property on a booking site that appears to be open, it is worth double-checking directly with the property to find out if they in fact are open. Some are having to push back opening dates due to restrictions and regulations.

For properties that don’t show up as available on a booking engine, check directly with the hotel to find out if they have maybe opened up earlier than expected or are open on a more limited capacity basis. There could also be other restrictions such as minimum stays that would be important to know about before booking.

The destination marketing organizations for individual cities and counties throughout the country can also serve as a good resource. Some, such as Visit Napa Valley, are maintaining lists of travel-related businesses, including hotels, that are open and those that aren’t for prospective travelers.

Not all amenities are available at hotels

Courtesy of Hasbrouck House

As government officials, public health authorities, and hoteliers themselves work to establish best practices, guests may find that hotel features and amenities they had come to expect may not currently be available. Every property is different and must adhere to newly established local guidelines intended to ensure that transmission risk remains low on-property.

While hotels navigate this new normal, you might find that the on-site restaurant is closed or only open for takeout—but it could also be open. (Don’t assume it will be closed because restaurants are also increasingly being given the go-ahead to offer dine-in service either outside and/or inside with proper social-distancing measures in place.)

The pool is also not a given—some are open, some are open with social-distancing guidelines, and some are closed. Many hotels have closed their fitness and spa facilities for the time being (but again not all—it really is all on a case-by-case basis, we found plenty of differences even among hotels in the same jurisdiction).

If there’s a particular experience that is important to you, make sure to find out whether it will be available. And also ask about relevant resort fees and what they cover depending on what is and isn’t available.

New cleaning, sanitizing, and social-distancing measures

Over the past several weeks, hotels and resorts have been instituting new health, safety, and cleanliness protocols intended to assure travelers that they’re taking infection prevention seriously.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has developed a Safe Stay program, which established industry-wide guidelines for hotel cleaning standards that includes things that both employees and guests are encouraged to do, such as wash their hands frequently and be aware of the local public health recommendations—for instance, where and when it is required to wear face masks. On the face masks front, be aware that some hotels are asking guests to wear masks in public areas, so be sure to get information about the property’s mask-wearing policy.

There is a long list of cleaning products and protocols for hotels that include which areas should be cleaned most frequently (like elevator buttons) and how social-distancing measures should be practiced both among staff and guests (think pool seating that is six feet apart and no more turn-down service).

Those are in addition to health and safety regulations set forth by local governments that hotels must adhere to in many jurisdictions in order to safely reopen, as well as the many programs that hotels—from Four Seasons to Marriott International and Hilton—have rolled out on their own to ensure enhanced cleaning and safety.

The vast majority of hotels now have a section of their website dedicated solely to providing a detailed breakdown of all the new cleaning and sanitation measures they have implemented. As always, if this is an area of particular concern and questions remain after reading through the policy online, pick up the phone and call the property or email the hotel with your questions. Better to find out well in advance whether your concerns will be addressed.

Know the change and cancellation policy

Making sure you are well versed in the change and cancellation policy for any travel booking you make has become standard procedure in the era of coronavirus, but we will repeat it until we are blue in the face. Thankfully, many hotels are maintaining lenient change and cancellation policies as they work to lure back travelers. Nevertheless, don’t assume it will be gracious and call to make sure you understand the conditions.

Local rules and specific hotels you can stay in

There are tens of thousands of hotels that are open or are reopening across the United States. Here, we’ll spotlight some of our favorites in some of the states our readers travel to and within the most.

California

Photo by Kodiak Greenwood/Post Ranch Inn

After the California Department of Public Health released updated guidance on June 5 giving individual counties throughout the state the ability to allow various sectors of their economy to resume operations, California hotels and resorts were finally able to safely reopen to leisure travelers on a county-by-county basis.

Los Angeles

• Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles remained open throughout the pandemic to accommodate essential travelers, but it is now focusing on welcoming back leisure travelers with discounted stays.
• London West Hollywood is also working on bringing back guests with guest rooms that can serve as remote offices, as well as inviting those who want to stay purely for pleasure.
• The iconic Beverly Hills Hotel is open, as is Hotel Bel-Air.
• The new Hotel June on L.A.’s Westside had to push back its opening date due to coronavirus but is now accepting stays starting June 22. Located in the former Custom Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport, the property has a beachy, California-inspired design by Studio Collective.
• Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes reopened on June 12, and its golf course, pools, restaurant (for takeaway), retail stores, and select adventure offerings are available to overnight guests.

San Francisco

• San Francisco Proper Hotel reopened as of May 8. The rooftop bar Charmaine’s is open but the on-site restaurant Villon is currently closed. A limited in-room dining menu is available daily. The fitness center remains closed and guests are asked to wear a mask in the hotel’s public areas.
• Phoenix Hotel, a vintage motel turned boutique property is also open, though on-site restaurant Chambers eat + drink is currently closed.
• Huntington Hotel, a historic icon of Nob Hill is open.
• The Battery Hotel, a collection of 14 boutique suites near the waterfront, is open as well.

Napa Valley

On June 5, Napa Valley became one of the first counties in California to officially start welcoming back travelers, and the majority of hotels in Napa Valley are either currently open or are planning to reopen in June. They include some of our absolute favorites:

• Carneros Resort & Spa, where guests get their own spacious cottage in a sprawling property surrounding by scenic vineyard. The resort’s pools, fitness center (and classes), and dining venues are open and operating as well.
  
• Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, a hip and low-key outpost in one of the region’s most charming towns. The geothermal pools are open, the spa is not.
  
• Calistoga Ranch for a truly luxurious escape. All amenities are available, including the spa, pools, and on-site dining.
• Los Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, is a chic adults-only retreat that is part of the Marriott family. It is steps from St. Helena.
• Meadowood Napa Valley, a chalet meets five-star resort nestled into a private canyon.

Monterey

• Carmel Valley Ranch, a luxurious hideaway, is welcoming back guests.
• Ventana Big Sur is taking reservations for stays beginning July 15.
• Post Ranch Inn plans to open July 1.
  

San Diego

• L’Auberge Del Mar outside of San Diego reopened on May 21 with a 72-hour booking buffer between occupants. There are capacity limits in the pool and hot tub areas, and tables at the open-air restaurant will be spaced 12 to 15 feet apart. Guests have to self-park.
• The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla is open with dine-in and takeout service available at the on-site restaurant the Grill, as well as dine-in service available at A.R.Valentien. The pool is open. The spa and fitness center are temporarily closed.
• The historic La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla is also open.

Central Coast

• The Stables Inn in Paso Robles had planned to debut right when the coronavirus pandemic hit, but instead it opened on June 5 at 50 percent capacity. From the owners of nearby Hotel Cheval, the budget-friendly, 18-room property occupies a former roadside motel.
• The surf town chic Cambria Beach Lodge is open, serving up gorgeous ocean views.

New York

Courtesy of Freehand New York

In New York State, hotels are considered an essential business and thus were allowed to stay open throughout the pandemic. Nevertheless, many did temporarily close due to health concerns and/or because of an extreme drop-off in guests. As the state gradually emerges from its lockdown, hotels that had closed are starting to reopen.

New York City

• High Line Hotel, a historic building that occupies a peaceful corner of New York’s Chelsea neighborhood, is open for overnight guests. The property’s Daisy’s Cocktail Garden opens on June 22, but the lobby bar and Intelligentsia coffee bar remain closed.
• Freehand New York, an uber-hip hotel in the Flatiron District, is open. The on-site café Smile To Go is open as well, but the other on-site bars and restaurants remain closed.
• Mr. C. Seaport, a classy 66-room hotel in Lower Manhattan’s Seaport District is open, and its Bellini restaurant is open for pickup and delivery.
• Arlo Nomad in Midtown stayed open during the pandemic and remains open with housekeeping only upon request and a minimum of 24 hours between occupants in a single room.
• Wythe Hotel on the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn is open, and its on-site Le Crocodile restaurant has been transformed into a garden café counter for delivery and takeaway.

Upstate

• Hasbrouck House in Stone Ridge reopened on June 12 with brunch and dinner takeaway packages available from the property’s Butterfield’s dining room. Hasbrouck House is also offering extended stay packages in its larger rooms and private cottage residence.
• Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, a 38-room contemporary take on traditional lodge-style accommodations, reopened on June 5 at 50 percent capacity and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow for deeper cleaning and ample time between guest stays. Scribner’s Prospect Restaurant is offering in-room dining and breakfast and dinner on the outdoor Prospect Deck, weather permitting.

Hamptons/Montauk

• Gurney’s Montauk, an oceanfront resort, is currently open with expanded in-room dining options and grab-and-go meal service, as well as outdoor dining at the resort’s Scarpetta Beach venue. Guests receive complimentary masks and sanitizing wipes. The spa, pools, and fitness center remain closed.
• The Montauk Beach House and Journey East Hampton are both open as well.

Florida

Courtesy of Marquesa

As of the start of June, authorities in the Florida Keys and Miami allowed hotels and tourism establishments to begin welcoming back visitors. In the Keys, the first phase of reopening requires that lodgings be limited to 50 percent capacity.

Floriday Keys

• The Marquesa Hotel, a traditional conch house charmer in the heart of Old Town Key West (where housekeeping and fresh linens are only being offered upon request) is open.
• Kimpton Key West is a unique collection of historic buildings turned accommodations, and of them Winslow’s Bungalows is open, and the Lighthouse Hotel is set to open on June 18. Ridley’s House, Ella’s Cottages, and Fitch Lodge are still closed.

Miami

• The classy Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club is welcoming guests with the historic, luxury property’s Surf Club Restaurant by chef Thomas Keller open for dine-in and takeout service as well.
• Generator Miami, a stylish and affordable option in South Beach, is open and offering 20 percent off on suite stays.
• Faena Miami, a luxurious arts district property, opened on June 12, with dining available at the property’s on-site venues or through contactless in-room service.

Chicago

In early June, hotels in Chicago were given the green light to start reopening based on new health and safety guidelines provided by city officials.

• Sophy Hyde Park, an artsy boutique property in Hyde Park is open, but its on-site Mesler restaurant is currently closed.
• Freehand Chicago, a hipster haven in Chicago’s River North nabe, is taking bookings for June and beyond.
• Virgin Hotels Chicago (one of only three Virgin Hotels in the United States—the others are located in Dallas, which is open, and Nashville, which reopens on July 1) will begin welcoming back travelers on July 1.
• Hoxton Chicago, an effortlessly hip outpost, will reopen on July 7.
• The luxurious and sleek Langham, Chicago will reopen on July 10.

The Hyatt-owned Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and Loews Chicago remain closed until further notice.

Las Vegas

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

In early June, hotels and casinos along the strip were allowed to begin reopening after being closed for more than two months. The first wave of openings included:

• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
• Bellagio
• The Venetian Resort
• Wynn Las Vegas

The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas and Aria Resort & Casino are slated to open on July 1.

Nomad Las Vegas remains closed with no opening date provided, and the same goes for the Cromwell.

Texas

Courtesy of Austin Proper Hotel & Residences

In Texas, hotels are considered essential businesses and thus were allowed to remain open throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Nevertheless, STR estimates that around 95 hotels remain temporarily closed in Texas due to the pandemic and its impact on travel.

Austin

• Austin Proper Hotel & Residences, a sophisticated-cool property is open, and the on-site Peacock restaurant, rooftop pool, pool bar, and fitness center are all open as well.
• South Congress Hotel, a chic hotel located on the trendy street of the same name, is also open and is asking guests to wear masks in public areas (daily housekeeping is available only upon request and a 48-hour booking buffer is being enforced).
• Hotel Saint Cecilia is open at reduced capacity and with contactless check-in.
• East Austin Hotel, a hipster hotspot, has rooms available to be booked starting on June 26.

Dallas

• Hotel ZaZa, a charmingly eclectic property, is open with masks recommended for guests (though not required). The spa is temporarily closed, but the fitness center, pool, and on-site Dragonfly restaurant are open. (The two Hotel Zaza properties in Houston, and the one in Austin are open, too.)

The iconic and opulent Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek remains temporarily closed, but bookings can be made for stays starting August 1 and beyond.

Products we write about are independently vetted and recommended by our editors. AFAR may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which helps support our independent publication.

>> Next: When and How Will I Be Able to Safely Visit My Friends and Family?