covid-19

Ballykealey House Covid-19 Policies And Procedures

We are so looking forward to welcoming you to Ballykealey House.

The unprecedented event of Covid-19 has changed the world in which we live, and work, beyond all recognition. In opening our business at this time, we would like to take the opportunity to wholeheartedly, and unreservedly, assure you that the health and safety of our guests, and our team, is of paramount importance and will always remain our primary concern.

When designing our new hotel, we considered the comfort and convenience of our guests, and the importance of hygiene and cleanliness, from the outset. This has resulted in a brand new, user-friendly hotel product which comprises surfaces that are exceptionally easy to clean and sanitise, such as timber and tiled floors and quartz and tiled surfaces. Furthermore, all rooms were designed with the minimum amount of touch points.

In preparation for opening on 10^th July 2020, and following Government and Fáilte Ireland guidelines, we have implemented a brand new set of policies and operational procedures to keep our guests, and our team members, safe at all times whilst on our premises. We fully appreciate that such measures are very different to what we have been used to in the past, but it is so vitally important that we work together, and support each other, during this time for the benefit of all.

Our aim is for all our guests to have an enjoyable experience, and create happy memories that last long after the holiday is over. To achieve this, we ask that our guests observe the following guidelines:

Make use of the various sanitising stations located throughout the Hotel and wash your hands regularly.
Make advance reservations for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which may be served in one of our elegant dining areas or in the comfort of your room. Advance notice allows our team the opportunity to ensure that the appropriate safety measures are in place when you dine.
Observe social distancing guidelines when interacting with other guests and staff.
Children, by their very nature, are inquisitive and like to explore. We respectfully request that you keep your children close to you at all times whilst on the premises to ensure the safety of all.
Where possible, we would encourage the use of contactless methods of payment, for example credit/debit cards. We will, of course, facilitate payment in cash should this be necessary.
Please remain vigilant at all times and, if there is anything that you feel requires attention during your stay, please speak with a member of our team.

We do hope the measures we have implemented help to put your mind at rest. Your safety and wellness at Ballykealey House is in our capable hands, which hopefully leaves you with one less thing to worry about during this difficult and challenging time.

If you have any queries relating to a forthcoming visit to Ballykealey House, either to eat or to sleep, please do not hesitate to contact us via info@ballykealeyhouse.com .

We would be delighted to hear from you and will do everything we can to help.

We sincerely thank you for your business. We so appreciate your custom. By visiting Ballykealey House, you are supporting an Irish business which provides local jobs for local people.

It is only by working together, and supporting each other, that we can continue to ensure our safety.

General Cleaning Policy

Ongoing sanitisation of all public areas by our Dedicated Hygiene Team, who will be present in public areas throughout the day. Their remit is to sanitise and make safe known “hotspots” such as door handles, bathrooms, counter spaces, etc. We ask that you co-operate fully with them at all times.
We have a long running relationship with an established provider of sanitising products and use their trusted chemistry know-how and focus on the human and environmental impact of their products and recommended practices. We have revised our cleaning protocols to translate the best practices in HSE and Fáilte Ireland standards to our hotel guest rooms, public areas and staff areas.
We will keep the hotel well ventilated, so you may see more windows open throughout the hotel to keep fresh air circulating.
HSE and Fáilte Ireland experts continue to advise us on new technologies and approaches, assist in training development and create a rigorous quality assurance programme. This expert advice and assistance helps us to build upon the already high standards of housekeeping and hygiene within our hotel and ensure that the protocols are not only satisfactory, but surpass expectations to ensure the health and safety of all our guests and staff members.
Sanitising Stations will be situated at various locations throughout the hotel. Please use them regularly and continue to wash your hands regularly.

Team Training

Our team will have their temperature checked on arrival at work. Any team member recording an abnormal temperature will be asked to stay at home.
Team members will change into their uniforms in the hotel and undertake our strict sanitisation procedure before entering their work zone.
We have provided designated areas for staff to prepare for work and adhere to strict sanitation procedures.
Gloves will be worn when entering, and exiting, the hotel.
Social distancing guidelines will apply to staff, whereby breaks will be staggered, and workspaces spread out to a 2m distance.
Regular Training for all our team members to reinforce the procedures on cleaning and sanitation as they carry out their duties.
Team members will be provided with personal protective equipment appropriate to their area of work, a supply of gloves and personal sanitiser. Enhanced training will be provided to protect their well-being.
Individual work kits will be provided depending on department, for example, restaurant staff kits will include individual order docket book, pen, disposable service cloths, wipes and gloves.

Arrival/Check In

All guests must use the hand sanitiser provided in the Sanitisation Stations situated at various locations throughout the hotel. Please observe social distancing guidelines of 2 metres.
At check in, you will not need to touch anything other than the keypad and your room key. Where possible, we would encourage the use of contactless methods of payment, for example credit/debit cards. We will, of course, facilitate payment in cash should this be necessary. Payment for your stay should be processed prior to your arrival.
Pre-authorisation on your credit card will be required for any onsite services. For this, you will need to use the keypad to enter your pin. The keypad will have been sanitised before your use, and again after you use it.
Our reception desk will be protected by a safety screen to protect guests and team members. Please observe social distancing guidelines of 2 metres.
Guests are encouraged to pre-book with us online. When you book online, the Receptionist will have pre-populated your guest information, which means that your interaction with staff members will be brief and efficient. If you have not pre-booked online, please provide your full contact details to the receptionist on duty.
Where possible, we would encourage the use of contactless methods of payment, for example credit/debit cards. We will, of course, facilitate payment in cash should this be necessary.

Guest Rooms

Careful consideration has been given to the preparation and presentation of your room. For your safety and protection, some items that you are used to having in your room may be absent, for example, pens, paper and information folders.
Our deep clean of “High Touch Areas” will include extra disinfecting of the most frequently touched guests room areas such as light switches, door handles, TV remote controls, toilet flusher, taps, telephone, etc.
Staff members will be equipped with a new set of PPEs before entering each room to reduce the risk of cross contamination.
When a guest room is vacated after a stay, all material will be removed from the room and cleaned, even if unused. Such items include bed linen, towels, bathrobes, bathmats and all amenities such as glasses, coasters, etc.
All surfaces will be sprayed both vertically and horizontally with appropriate cleaning products. They will then be cleaned down again paying attention to the high touch points.
Our deep clean process will include washing down all tiles, grouting, tissue boxes as well as hoovering and washing all floors. Floors in Ballykealey House are tiled or timber.
When a guest vacates, the room will be sprayed with sanitising solution and the window will be left open to allow the circulation of fresh air.
When the supervisor/ manager checks the room, (s)he will re-sanitise all high touch points again while doing so to ensure “double sanitisation” and maximum protection for our guests.

Dining with Us

Please make advance reservations for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which may be served in one of our elegant dining areas or in the comfort of your room. Advance notice allows our team to ensure that the appropriate safety measures are in place when you dine.
Observe social distancing guidelines when interacting with other guests and staff.
Please avail of the Sanitisation Stations situated at various locations throughout the hotel. Please observe social distancing guidelines of 2 metres.
Children must dine with their parents at all times.
Breakfast will be served from 7.30am to 10.00am Monday-Friday and 8.00am to 10.30am Weekends and Bank Holidays and is only available by reservation. Please check in with the restaurant manager/supervisor on arrival.
A freshly cooked breakfast will be served from our kitchen and a limited self-service buffet with individually wrapped items will be available for the foreseeable future.
We will practice social distancing by setting up tables 2m apart and ensuring, as best we can, that large groups are not all booked in at one time.
We will use disposable items for single use where possible, for example, menus, paper napkins, individually wrapped condiments, butter and jam. We will not use linens on the table.
Our team will play their part to maintain the appropriate distance when taking your order.
When dining, we may take card or room charges only as payment method.
Room service will be available during this time, but must be pre-booked at Reception.

Serving of Alcohol

In line with the current guidelines, our hotel bar will not be open in the traditional way. It will be a dispense bar/table service only. Guests will be served alcohol with their meal only at their table by their server.

Check Out

To observe social distancing and to avoid queuing in the morning, guests are advised to settle their account in the evening before departure. Should you wish to settle the morning of departure, please allow up to 15 minutes and follow social distancing rules.