Not long ago, we wrote about a study that showed how the vaccinated and unvaccinated are traveling to different places. That was mainly in terms of what countries they visit. However, it’s now coming to pass that if you’re unvaccinated, you can’t be a guest (or even go inside) at some hotels in the U.S.
A couple of weeks ago, we reported about a resort and six hotels in Hawaii that were requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, not only for all their employees but all their guests and patrons, as well. It turns out they’re not the only ones in the U.S. with such requirements. They weren’t even the first.
Pilgrim House Inn
The first hotel that said all guests needed to show proof of vaccination was Pilgrim House Inn, in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The 19-room, 4.5 star rated boutique hotel began that requirement in late July of this year. From their website:
VACCINATION & MASK REQUIREMENTS. The safety and well-being of our guests, performers, and employees is our top priority. As of 07/24/21, Pilgrim House requires evidence of vaccination via a physical card or digital/photographic evidence of a vaccination card to be allowed on Pilgrim House indoor or outdoor property. Additionally, a mask must be worn in all common areas, indoors and outdoors at Pilgrim House except when drinking or dining.
PUBLIC Hotel
In early August, another boutique hotel, the 367-room PUBLIC Hotel, was the first hotel in New York City to require its guests to show proof of COVID vaccine.
Owned by hotelier Ian Schrager, who is said to have invented the concept of boutique hotels decades ago, the facility makes no bones about its requirements. As of September 5th, it’s the first thing you see, as a pop-up, when you go to their website:
Covid-19 Update
The health and wellbeing of our guests and staff are the only things that matter to us. Our goal is to keep everyone safe during their visit to PUBLIC.
All guests over the age of 12 are required to be fully vaccinated before entering the hotel or our bars and restaurants.
Masks are required when moving through the communal areas.
Medical and religious exemptions are accepted.
Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you.
Equinox Hotel New York
Also in NYC, this 212-room sister entity to the luxury-fitness-center brand of the same name announced their intention to require guests to show proof of their COVID vaccines just days after PUBLIC Hotel did. Their rules went into effect on September 13th.
The policy is on the front page of the 5-star hotel’s website:
Equinox Hotel requires proof of vaccination for all guests
They also have a whole page devoted to “serving your safety”:
Starting September 13th, 2021- Equinox Hotels will be mandating proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all guests. In conjunction with New York’s newly implemented indoor vaccine mandate, a one-time proof of vaccination must be provided in the form of physical immunization card, photo of immunization card, or a digital vaccine card (i.e., regional passes).
Our enhanced health + safety protocols were developed by a task force, including a team of leading medical and infectious disease experts, under the guidance of the Mount Sinai Medical System, who worked tirelessly on a comprehensive reopening strategy. This plan builds upon Equinox’s already recognized high standards of health, safety, and cleanliness – and takes them to the highest level.
Equinox Hotels has coupled the strictest hygiene and cleaning standards in the industry with an unparalleled approach to well-being. This holistic approach goes above and beyond by delivering a personalized experience for our guests, especially as it pertains to health, service and safety. Protocols are in place to communicate with guests in advance of their stay to ensure all health and safety requests are honored.
Wythe Hotel
Based in Brooklyn, NY, the Wythe Hotel is a factory-turned-boutique-hotel that opened in 2012. As of Sept. 10, they require proof of COVID vaccine of all employees, guests, vendors and visitors.
Proof of vaccination is now required to be an employee, guest, vendor or visitor at Wythe Hotel. This policy applies to all individuals 12 and older in Wythe Hotel’s event spaces, indoor dining venues, outdoor dining venues and for hotel room reservations. Masks are optional at Wythe Hotel, however, our staff will be wearing masks at all times.
Their specific rules about vaccine requirements are on their website.
Urban Cowboy Lodge
Located about 2 hours outside of New York City, the Urban Cowboy Lodge, an 8-room boutique hotel and bar in a historic mansion on 68 acres in the Catskill Mountains, began their own vaccine requirements in mid-August.
Like the PUBLIC hotel, notification is as soon as you go to their website:
In an effort to create the safest environment possible, The Lodge will require PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION upon entry for all hotel guests and indoor diners of Public House, effective August 12th. We are committed to the safety of our team & guests above all. We appreciate your support in this ever-evolving situation!
The Urban Cowboy Lodge in Nashville, as well as The Dive Bar Bar, Motel and Swim Club, also in Nashville, both of which have the same owners, do not require COVID vaccines. This is interesting but not particularly surprising.
Urban Cowboy also runs a B&B in Brooklyn, NY – it’s currently only being used for photo shoots, by appointment only.
Ten Thousand Waves
Ten Thousand Waves Spa, Food and Lodging is inspired by the great Japanese mountain hot springs resorts. Effective September 1, the Santa Fe resort required all patrons and guests to be fully vaccinated. As stated on a special page on their website, there are no medical, religious or age exceptions to those requirements.
We take extraordinary measures to limit the spread of COVID. Those receiving spa services must be fully vaccinated. Beginning September 1, there will be vaccination requirements for hot tubs, lodging, and izanami as well. Please see current offerings for details of our policies. Keep up with changes by signing up for our newsletter.
The above are all privately-owned entities. When the Highgate properties announced they would require all guests to be vaccinated, that meant one each of both a Hilton and Marriott brand had the requirement, as well:
Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach
There are other hotels, outside the U.S., that require guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID. For example, Elite Island Resorts, a collection of nine hotels throughout the Caribbean, recently announced that as of September 1, 2021, all guests 16 and older will be required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival. There are undoubtedly hotels in other parts of the world that have the same requirements.
But in the U.S., there are already more than a handful of hotels that require their guests who have been vaccinated. As the pandemic continues, I can’t help but think that number will continue to increase.
Feature Photo: Public Hotel, NYC
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
I applaud this, but can see it will cause an even more divided society.
We have one property owner in Wales who has bizarrely done the exact opposite. She’s banned any vaccinated person from making a booking because they’re going to “shed particles that will transmit the vaccine to her and her staff etc.”