The resorts offering on-site Covid testing for guests
Properties across the Caribbean and Mexico are racing to launch on-site Covid-19 testing, as well as no-cost or discounted quarantine programs, after the CDC …
Travel Weekly
Playa Hotels & Resorts is offering complimentary Covid-19 antigen testing at all of its resorts across the Caribbean and Mexico, including the Hyatt Zilara Cancun.
Properties across the Caribbean and Mexico are racing to launch on-site Covid-19 testing, as well as no-cost or discounted quarantine programs, after the CDC unveiled a new mandate requiring all inbound U.S. flyers to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to departure, effective Jan. 26.
Sandals and AMResorts
Among the first hospitality heavyweights to unveil new on-property testing and/or quarantine-stay coverage policies in the wake of the CDC announcement were Sandals Resorts International and AMResorts. The former said it will offer free testing portfoliowide through March 31, while the latter is rolling out on-property Covid-19 antigen testing across the majority of its properties.
Additionally, AMResorts is providing free, extended quarantine-stay coverage for all guests traveling to the U.S. through March 31.
Playa Hotels & Resorts
Playa Hotels & Resorts has followed suit, unveiling complimentary Covid-19 antigen testing at all of its 17 resorts across the Caribbean and Mexico through April 30.
Under Playa’s program, the free testing will be available to guests who stay at least three nights at its Mexico or Dominican Republic resorts and at least five nights at its Jamaica properties. Discounted PCR testing will also be available upon request.If a guest does not receive test results in time for departure, Playa properties will provide complimentary room accommodation until test results are delivered and a departure can be rescheduled.
Should a guest test positive for Covid-19, Playa will offer as much as a 50% discount on accommodations for a quarantine of up to 14 days.
Playa’s portfolio includes resorts flagged under the Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Panama Jack, Hilton, Jewel Resorts, Jewel Grande and Sanctuary brands.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Karisma Hotels & Resorts has similarly updated its Covid-19 protocols, rolling out free, on-site antigen testing at its Riviera Maya properties in Mexico as well as at its Dominican Republic and Jamaica resorts.
If a guest’s predeparture test results is positive, Karisma will cover his or her quarantine accommodations for up to 14 nights.Karisma operates properties throughout the Riviera Maya, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica under the brand El Dorado Spa Resorts by Karisma, Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Azul Beach Resorts by Karisma, Generations Resorts by Karisma, Hidden Beach Resort by Karisma and Sensatori Resorts.
La Coleccion Resorts
Likewise, Posadas’ La Coleccion Resorts portfolio is rolling out free antigen testing at all of its beach properties across Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The on-site antigen tests can be scheduled through each property’s concierge 36 hours prior to departure.
La Coleccion will also offer guests the ability to schedule a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure for an additional cost, subject to availability. Those PCR tests, however, may also be administered off-site, depending on location.
In the event of a positive test between the time of check-in and checkout, La Coleccion will offer guests a quarantine stay at a discounted nightly rate of $10 per night per person. La Coleccion properties will also cover telehealth assistance for up to 72 hours, hotel expenses during recovery and other services and amenities at an extra cost of $4 per night.
La Collecion’s stable includes properties branded under the Live Aqua Resorts, Grand Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts, Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts and the Explorean Discovery Resorts flags.
Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts
Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts have launched free on-property antigen testing for up to two guests per room at their properties throughout Mexico and Jamaica. Additional tests will be available for $19 each.
If a guest tests positive, Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts will cover the cost of quarantine for up to 14 days for up to two guests per room should both guests test positive.
Couples Resorts
Couples Resorts is offering free, on-site rapid antigen testing to guests at its Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril properties in Jamaica. All tests will be administered within three days of a guest’s departure date, with antigen test results promised within approximately 15 minutes.
Renaissance Aruba and Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Other properties throughout the Caribbean that have recently unveiled on-site testing programs include the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, which has launched a new offer providing free antigen tests for up to two guests for stays of four nights or longer, and the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, which is providing on-site Covid-19 testing upon arrival and departure.
Casa Chameleon Hotels
In Costa Rica, Casa Chameleon Hotels has made complimentary, on-site testing available to all guests staying five nights or longer at its Casa Chameleon at Mal Pais and Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas properties.
Atlantis Paradise Island
The Bahamas’ Atlantis Paradise Island is providing both Covid-19 antigen and PCR testing on-property. Testing is available Monday through Saturday at the Beach Tower at Atlantis, with antigen tests priced at $25 and PCR tests at $175. Antigen test results are typically available in less than an hour, while PCR test results are generally available the same day if the test is received before 2 p.m.
Caerula Mar Club
The Caerula Mar Club, located in South Andros, Bahamas, has made rapid antigen tests complimentary for guests, with results available in 15 minutes.
Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet
St. Lucia sister properties Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet have each added free, on-site antigen tests to any existing or new booking made for travel through Sept. 30. (The offer is eligible on any length stay at Jade Mountain and stays of three nights or more at Anse Chastanet.) Complimentary PCR tests are also being offered for Jade Mountain guests staying five or more nights.
Villa Premiere
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, luxury boutique property Villa Premiere began providing Covid-19 testing services on Jan. 5, with guests able to purchase a PCR test on-site for $152.