Here are our thoughts on why staying smaller may be the #SafeStay choice for this summer.
COVID-19 has really changed the entire world. Being an inn owner all I’m thinking about is traveling. My first thought is when can I go somewhere because we’ve been at home with two preschoolers doing project after project. We have painted 4 rooms, the living room, redid the stairs, trimmed trees, power washed the building, and then we did more. The second reason I want to travel is that I had travel plans for 2020 and I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to attend a couple of weddings and I’m unsure when I will be able to fly across the country to see my sisters newborn baby due this fall. So the thought of taking a close weekend getaway sounds nice, since everything has been on hold.
So if I’m antsy to travel just imagine how the rest of the world is feeling? We are all questioning what it will look like. Are we only allowed to travel locally, will we make that wedding in Jamaica, can I see my sister’s new baby across the country this fall? Right now every person is looking at their calendar wondering if they can make their future plans, or if they will have to cancel. How are we going to stay safe in this new atmosphere?
We believe that staying at small, family-owned properties may be the ideal location for weary travelers. The greatest gifts come in small packages. Our inn is small we have 13 rooms. Our location is located downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE. We are the only accommodation along the Canal. Our waterfront property is charming with a small trail to our main street. Canalside Inn is historic, originally located on the beach in the early 1900s and in the ’60s after a big storm our building was moved to the current location.
Most big hotels don’t offer Keyless entry. Our inn has encouraged our guests to follow the easy breezy check-in. No cards or keys required. Prior to check-in, the guests receive a text with instructions on the keyless keypad and all guests sign an electric signature room agreement. Now that COVID is in front of mind the easy check-in process is very important to ensure no hassle for guests to enter their rooms, which by the way we have done this for a long long time.
The AHLA (American Hotel & Lodging Association) has a new initiative called #SafeStay. It’s for enhanced cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols. To meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID19. Our inn was able to adjust early March at the beginning of COVID. We already do enhance cleaning way before COVID, and we use superior cleaning products way before this initiative. Our normal office hours 8 am to 5 pm are still in place. If something is needed from our customers, we offer a “Leave at My Door,” protocol. This is a flexible option for guests to receive linens, toilet paper, tissue paper etc… while limiting exposure of others during the COVID-19 events.
We’ve asked our future guests to help us help them during these unknown times. Upon leaving their home we appreciate taking the time to assess their health. Check your temperature and the COVID symptoms check list from the CDC. If you have COVID19 symptoms don’t travel.
We’ve created a New #SafeStay Flex Rate. During these unprecedented times, we want to take the worry out of booking. Vacation travel is much needed and long overdue. Canalside Inn is proud to introduce our stress free COVID Flex Rate. Canalside Inn offers guests the #SafeStay FlexRate as a convenient way to book your dates. A $100 deposit (nonrefundable & Reusable) is required to book. Full payment is due 24 hours prior to check-in. FlexRate offers the flexibility to change your reservation dates if you are unable to travel for any reason related to CoVid. Changes to a confirmed reservation must be submitted 7 days prior to check-in. Cancellations subject to forfeiture of deposit (no refunds for early check out).
It’s a unique experience to stay at a small inn. Guests get a real local experience and we have a sense of home being away from home. Canalside Inn is super clean. Being so small we have a unique opportunity to have a house cleaning company on contract to clean the rooms just like my home is cleaned. We pride ourselves on paying another small business to clean our inn and spending extra attention to details.
Our innkeepers are excited for the return of our visitors and offering insights to Rehoboth Beach. We have created an electronic travel guide to view on your phone. It will have insights into all things Rehoboth Beach. The vacation guide will have town rules & regulations, things to do and eat, grocery/liquor stores, transportation. The guide will include information about the inn, Canalside Art Gallery, Specials & Packages, and our policies.
As of May 15th short term rentals including Airbnb, VRBO, Hotels and Inns are still banned to everyone except for essential workers. We hope that we will be able to host guests this summer. As we wait for the Government to enter phases of reopening we hope you and your families will stay safe and healthy.
