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The Planhotel Malindi resort and hotel trio — Diamonds Dream of Africa, Sandies Malindi Dream Garden and Sandies Tropical Village — reopened to both domestic and international guests from the beginning of this month.      

The hotel general manager Alexander Zissimatos, says the re-opening has been received positively with occupancy rate starting at 60 per cent  at the weekend.

“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. 

The accreditation 

This performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention programme helps hotels minimise 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 that guests can truly relax during their stay.

The Covid-19 situation is unprecedented and will shape the way people travel in the future. 

The hygiene initiative, cleanliness standards and Quality Assurance, as well as Best Practice Guidelines will be a major contributor in regaining the trust of travellers.  

In addition to the GBAC accreditation, Planhotel Malindi has initiated a 24-hour vacated room turnaround programme.

“After the last guest has checked out, no one, including our staff will enter the room for 24 hours,” 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 added.

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 at 50 per cent of the cost.