News of the pending vaccine means one thing for me: TRAVEL! Hopefully sooner than later. Even with a COVID vaccine, safety is still a concern. I know I will be more selective of my destinations, transportation modes, and hotel choices. That’s why I am thrilled that the Forbes Travel Guide and Sharecare have issued health safety verifications to hotels and resorts. Yes, Internova Travel Group is using Forbes Travel Guide and Sharecare to set health security standards and verifications of the standards to hotels in 12 countries.
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Verification Specifics
Maybe you don’t recognize the name Internova Travel Group, but as one with wanderlust, you most likely have connected in some ways with their services. According to company literature, Internova Travel Group holds more than 6,000 company-owned, franchised, and affiliated travel agencies throughout the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Mexico plus a presence in more than80 countries.
Forbes Travel Guide and Sharecare will provide impartiality in judging the procedures and protocols of the hotels booked through Internova’s system (and that would be more than 50,000 properties). The projection is for all the hotels to earn a VERIFIED® health security badge by the beginning of the second quarter of 2022.
Hotels that have earned VERIFIED®
Here’s the beginning of the Seal-of-Approval-received hotels. I bet you recognize some of these luxurious places. They are in no particular order, though I tried to group them geographically.
North America
Baccarat Hotel New York (United States) — Shiny and sparkly in Manhattan, the Baccarat is also very clean! Here are some NYC tips from a previous trip I made. The Baccarat website is here.
Boston Harbor Hotel (United States) — Not only is the hotel sanitary, it offers unbeatable views. Want to check out other Beantown properties? Here are my takes on the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The Boston Harbor Hotel website is here.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (United States) — Need to get this San Diego County destination on my Southwest and/or West Coast itinerary. Here is the Fairmont Grand Del Mar website.
The Hazelton Hotel (Canada) — Toronto is terrific! I was lucky enough to fly the inaugural Toronto – London British Airways Flight. Loved it! The hotel’s website is here.
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston (United States) — They do things on a grand scale in Texas. Haven’t made it to Houston yet but I sure loved Austin. Here’s the Post Oak.
Salamander Resort & Spa (United States) — The Salamander Resort is in the great state of Virginia. There is so much variety in Virginia, like colorful wall murals and perfect snapshot settings. I’m very curious about the Salamander Resort & Spa.
The St. Regis San Francisco (United States) — I need a San Francisco fix. I loved my visit when I attended the WIRED event and I interviewed then editor-in-chief Chris Anderson. Info on The St. Regis here.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas (United States) — Las Vegas is so much more than gambling and other indoor adult entertainment. There are national parks and lots of outdoor art. I bet the Las Vegas Waldorf Astoria adds a new vibe to Sin City’s famed strip.
Central America
Drake Bay Getaway Resort (Costa Rica) — If you haven’t been, go to Costa Rica. As soon as you can. Birders, this applies particularly to you. Check out these 10 facts about Costa Rica. Here is Drake Bay’s website.
Mexico
Montage Los Cabos (Mexico) — It’s been more than 7 years since I visited Mexico. I need to go back. I had an unforgettable getaway at Azul Sensatori. Here is the website for Montage Los Cabos.
Solaz, Los Cabos (Mexico) — Yet another reason to return to Mexico. It’s a Luxury Collection Resort.
Carribean
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) — This jewel sits along the island’s Seven Mile Beach. Here is the website.
Asia
City of Dreams – Nüwa Manila (Philippines) — Gamblers and gamers, you belong here. I yet to have visited Manila. It’s on my list. I’m making do with the hotel’s website now.
The Murray, Hong Kong (Hong Kong) — Combing the best of the Occident and the Orient, Hong Kong is a traveler’s dream. I haven’t stayed at The Murray but check out where I did stay. View The Murray here.
NIHI SUMBA (Indonesia) — This hotel has its own island. Check it out here.
Middle East
Atlantis, The Palm (United Arab Emirates) — Architectural splendor and engineering triumphs wrapped up for family fun in Dubai. Check out these photos for a bird’s eye view of Dubai. The Atlantis website is here.
Australia
Crown Towers Melbourne (Australia) — This down-under beauty calls my name! Maybe it’s the Perfect Pampering tag I saw on the website. Australia is such an adventure, and I plan to go back for more. Check out my Australian Fun Facts and my Australian Phrasebook for Native English Speakers. The Crown Towers website is here.
Europe
The Goring Hotel (England) — London’s calling. We must answer. What to when it rains in London? Look here. Want to visit some gardens? Dig in here. The Goring Hotel website? Right here.
Katikies Mykonos (Greece) — Greece has two VERIFIED® hotels. Need more reasons to visit? How about the Temple of Artemis and Athens. Here is the hotel’s website.
Katikies Santorini (Greece) — Not only do I love Santorini, but Crete, Lesbos, and Rhodes are faves, too. Read more details here. The hotel’s website is here.
Getting back on the travel trail
Slowly but surely, travel is getting back on track. You can read more about the new safety standards here. To see the always growing list of VERIFIED® hotels you can visit Sharecare’s press room here.
Will you be checking to see if your hotel is on the verified list before booking? I think I would feel somewhat safer and sleep better.
What about you?
