All You Need to Know about Shangri-La Fiji and COVID Safety!

Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji (formerly known as Shangri-La Fijian Resort & Spa) has been one of Fiji’s longest-running, most-successful and well-recognised names – and the last one is international. Learn all there is to know about this resort, Fiji holiday packages and COVID-19 safety measures and precautions.

Since COVID-19 has flame-grilled fun times and holidays to an untasty char, we must change how we have fun. Fun is flexible, but also responsible. Therefore, under a spanking-new campaign called #Shangrilacares, the global hospitality group has called in experts to help design a comprehensive set of guidelines and basic ‘do’s and don’ts’ for both its staff and guests worldwide.

After lots of studying hospitality requirements, footfalls in and around resorts and more, the experts included into the programme an exhaustive list of amendments to practices keeping everyone safe. As part of the group’s #Shangrilacares programme, the measures include, but not limit to:

Getting to Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji

Hotel transports (limousines, sedans and other group vehicles) are thoroughly sanitised before and after each journey/use. Also, the front passenger seat will be kept empty throughout the ride. As a good practice, guests may be asked to wear a face mask prior to entering the hotel (but we recommend it anyway – safety for one and all!). Then, the resort has converted its floor mats into ‘disinfectant mats’ at entrances to clean and sanitise footwear as people step on them!

Then, there will be gentle reminders to maintain 1-1.5 metre safe distance between one another in and around the hotel premises. All guests’ temperatures, health & travel declarations and contact details will be documented. Last, but not the last step, there are partitions at check-in desks between the front-office staff and thorough sanitation of countertops and equipment.

Inside Rooms & Suites

Look for the #Shangrilacares cleanliness assurance seals issued post cleaning for every room! There will be complimentary ‘self-care packs’ comprising of a facemask, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wet wipes provided in the rooms for guests’ convenience.

After each departure, all rooms at the Shangri La Fiji will be kept vacant for a minimum of six hours before housekeeping is commenced. Then, there is a 12-Point stepped-up room cleaning regime with hospital-grade disinfectant for frequently touched surfaces. Hypochondriac travellers, you will eat your heart out at the stringency of cleaning and disinfection – we love it!  Additionally, the staff has been trained in enhanced safety and sanitation protocols developed with Shangri-La’s Diversey infection prevention application experts.

Room attendants will only clean the room in your absence to minimise face-to-face contact. The room’s soiled linens will be placed in double-lined sealed bags and laundered at high temperatures for extra security.

In and Around the Shangri La Fiji

There is new cleaning and sanitation technology at work, for eg. ultra-violet light screening and electrostatic spraying devices to be used at high-touch points. For all high touch contact surfaces such as lift buttons and public bathrooms, the programme instructs for increased cleaning and sanitising frequency, even on an hourly basis. Before entering the resort’s recreational facilities, all guests must pass mandatory temperature screenings.

Dining, the #NewNormal 

As with the receptions, there will be partitions at all Shangri La Fiji restaurant reservation and greeting counters. Tables and booths will be rearranged with 1 to 1.5m distance between each dining party. There are alcohol-based wet wipes and ‘envelopes’ for face-masks, so diners the latter aside safely while dining. Modified table service is now in effect, e.g. all dishes will be served with a cloche and service spoons will be offered for all family-style shared dishes.

For groups, guest numbers for social functions will be limited for the time being. The restaurant seating capacity for all the resort’s outlets will be capped at 50% – we encourage guests to make prior table reservations! Then, there will be digital menus and contactless payment options wiII be encouraged.

Shangri-la Fiji: General Do’s & Don’ts 

This is a drag, but… only four people will be allowed to take the lift at any one time. We wouldn’t have it any other way either; it’s all about keeping everyone safe. Then, hand sanitiser dispensers, touchless whenever possible, are available at key guest areas. To maintain safe distancing, some gym machines will be left unoccupied and gym usage may be limited to only a number of participants per given timeslot.

All Shangri-La staff have access and are encouraged to delve into additional training; plus, certification and recertification opportunities have been made available. Furniture are now more spaced out and marked accordingly to ensure safe distancing standards are met. Then, recreational facilities will have shorter operating hours, so as to carry out deep-cleaning of equipment and premises as well as regular cleaning and disinfection of recreation facilities and gym equipment.

Front office staff will wear face masks and be equipped with personal protection equipment such as gloves when deemed necessary by the #shangrilacares programme medical experts. The hotel group has also approved on increased cleaning and disinfection for all most frequently touched areas. The staff will closely observe safe distancing protocols even when off duty. And finally, there will be mandatory temperature screenings for everyone – any staff who is ill will be asked to seek immediate medical attention and relieved from duty.

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that we’ll all be safe, but this goes a long way. It’s very heartening to know that Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji is taking so much pains to keep both travellers and its staff healthy and happy against COVID-19. We’re super-excited to know that our favourite South Pacific destination is ready to welcome us once the skies open up for travel and great holidays again (you know – #PlanNowTravelLater!)