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- info@keytel.co.uk
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Official UK partner to the Paradors, Pousadas, Pestana Hotels & Resorts, Les Collectionneurs (Chateaux), and European Hotels Collection. Keytours International, formerly Keytel International, your agent in the UK.
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Paradors have your health and comfort in focus
Almost all Paradors are currently open, including the Paradors at Aiguablava and León which were previously closed due to refurbishment, with only a handful of more remote properties being closed as usual each year during the winter months.
The Spanish Government has established very strict measures for the operation and use of hotel and hospitality services, with a very defined plan for social distancing and requirements for new hygienic procedures to be followed, to which Paradors have expressed their total commitment. The network of Paradors is very fortunate in that most of the hotels are spacious but with a low guest capacity, and many are located in remote settings or locations that do not attract mass tourism, naturally restricting the number of guests in each property and in their surroundings to a very low number.
Are things open in Spain?
Yes!
Almost all hospitality services and attractions in Spain have reopened or are working on a reduced scale. As per government guidelines, most places still require you to wear face masks and maintain social distancing measures where possible. You may also find that some museums ask you to pre-book entry in advance so that they can safely manage crowds.
Please note that if certain areas have flare ups of cases, curfews may be put in place (varying from region to region) which means that some services will be closing earlier and there is a restriction on movement at certain hours. The Government is still insisting its citizens maintain social distancing and wearing masks in public.
This covers all aspects of tourism from hotels to restaurants and golf courses, and we already know that bars, restaurants and cafes have been reopening steadily across the country with the use of their outdoor terraces initially. The Government has, as you might expect, a very well-structured plan to the tiered opening of these services whilst monitoring the containment of the virus.
What prevention measures are in place at Paradors?
In the meantime, let us update you on what steps Paradors are taking to ensure the highest level of hygiene to safeguard both you, the client, and their staff. New hygiene protocols will be applied in the areas that clients and staff use, as follows:
- Reception areas: protective screens have been installed and swifter check-in and check-out procedures are in place to reduce the amount of time spent in this area. All room keys are cleaned between use. All surfaces that are touchable such as tables, chairs and sofas will be wiped down with hydroalcoholic gel frequently including pens and materials available for common use.
- Cleansing stations have been set up with hydroalcoholic gels and masks provided in reception areas.
- Bedrooms will be thoroughly cleaned between use. Surfaces, remote controls, telephones, door handles and taps are wiped down carefully and any unnecessary furnishings and furniture will be temporarily removed to enable a thorough cleansing to be carried out between each guest.
- Check-in can be done optionally via an email link (we will inform you about this at time of booking) to reduce the time spent checking in, or upon arrival at the Parador in the usual fashion.
- In the restaurants, controls are in place with a reduced seating capacity to provide greater space around guests. Paradors’ restaurants already open early for many of us who prefer to dine earlier than the Spanish might (at around 8.15 or 8.30pm) and remain open for several hours, enabling guests to enter the restaurants at staggered intervals much as normal. In the kitchens, cutlery and crockery will be disinfected and served in attractive personal pouches, and all produce will be very carefully handled so as to maintain the highest level of hygiene. If you are planning to dine in the Parador, you will be asked to book a time for dinner on check-in.
- Breakfast is served by waiting staff and tables will be booked in advance, allowing you to still choose from Paradors’ very extensive range of hot breakfast dishes which will be brought to your table rather than chosen from an open buffet, along with drinks and juices, and a cold buffet will also be available for you to choose items. A manager will be on hand to oversee the breakfast operation specifically to ensure that you can enjoy the full Parador breakfast experience with confidence that the appropriate hygienic measures and social distancing are being maintained.
Similarly, dinner will be served with the usual waiter service and plenty of space around each guest.
The layout of furniture in the bar areas will be redesigned to provide greater space for customers with slightly different provision of services such as snacks tailored to each individual. - The water quality of swimming pools will be checked more frequently for virus-killing chemicals to be maintained at the optimum level, and the areas around the pool will be redesigned to maximise space for each client and cleansed frequently.
Paradors aim to go above and beyond the new procedures required by the Spanish Government to put you at your ease.
What do I need to know before I travel?
As of 7th January 2022 the UK government has relaxed its measures for those returning to the UK from abroad with further changes made on 9th January. Travellers will simply need to fill out a locator form before travelling and then complete an Antigen test on day 2 after their arrival with no requirement to isolate if your test proves negative.
The Spanish Tourist Office has provided a practical guide for tourists travelling to Spain: https://www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/practical-information-tourists-covid-19-travel-spain/
However we can provide some of the following information:
All travellers to Spain must fill out an “FCS” form in advance, informing the authorities of their arrival flight details and passport number which can be found here: www.spth.gob.es
In brief, you must complete the short FCS form on the above Spain Travel Health website and you must carry a mask and be prepared to wear it in public places. We recommend that you review the Spanish Tourist Office website (above) just prior to traveling so that you are informed with the latest information on where you might need to wear a mask in public.
Those who are fully vaccinated 14 days or more prior to travel do not need to show a negative test but must show proof of vaccination via the NHS Covid Pass app or with a printed certificate.
If you are not fully vaccinated you must provide proof of a negative PCR test that has been taken in advance of travel.
Strict measures are being enforced for air travel including the use of masks at key points in airports and for the duration of the flight, social distancing as well as the requirement to fill in an online questionnaire about your movements. Hygienic measures such as disinfection gels are being provided in airports and on flights.
During the coming months, you may have more questions regarding these new measures and any concerns that you may have. We are available to help you as best we can by phone and email during office hours.
Gary Drewett and the team at Keytours