Detroit Regional Chamber > Business Resources > COVID-19 > Grand Hotel: Our Team Is Here to Serve Everyone Safely, #MaskUpMichigan

Grand Hotel: Our Team Is Here to Serve Everyone Safely, #MaskUpMichigan

July 15, 2020
Grand Hotel opened its doors for the season in June and has committed to serving their customers safely, while also ensuring employee safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the Keep Businesses Open #MaskUpMichigan campaign, the Chamber has encouraged businesses and individuals to commit to wearing a face mask as appropriate and sign the pledge. Chamber member and partner, Grand Hotel, signed on and is requiring all staff and guests to wear masks or face coverings. The Executive Vice President of Operations, Doug Dean, shared with the Chamber what precautions and measures the hotel has taken to ensure all employee and customer safety.

Dean will also be participating in a Chamber Town Hall discussion alongside Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Convention and Bureau on Thursday, July 16. Learn more and register.


Why did Grand Hotel take the #MaskUpMichigan pledge?

#MaskUpMichigan is a smart idea! The message is helpful to remind everyone — the importance of wearing a mask, and the benefit it will have in keeping our state and businesses open. Michigan needs tourism, but in order to keep it going people need to remember to follow the guidelines and stay safe. It is our priority at Grand Hotel to provide a safe and comfortable environment for everyone who visits this season.

Is Grand Hotel doing anything unique to encourage mask-wearing/face covering among employees and/or customers?

Grand Hotel has signage throughout reminding guests to wear their masks, wash their hands, and keep a safe distance. You will find the signs as soon as you approach the building and then strategically placed in the hotel. We also created a safety video to help guests understand what to expect this season, and illustrate the steps we are taking to keep Grand Hotel safe while visiting.  We continue to work with our staff on how to approach guests who are not wearing a mask to deliver the message of masks being required in a positive and hospitable way. Our procedures were recently highlighted in both national stories by NBC News and The Detroit News.

What additional safety protocols/precautions have Grand Hotel put in place since reopening to keep employees and customers safe?

Grand Hotel has been welcoming guests for 134 consecutive years and this year has not been any different. The hotel opened on Sunday, June 21, 2020. In addition to the high cleanliness standards that were previously in place, Grand Hotel implemented enhanced sanitization protocols across the hotel, developed with guidance provided by local health authorities, the CDC, AHLA Safe Stay guidelines, and other governmental agencies. We also have an increased frequency of cleaning and sanitizing stations across the property, with additional focus on high-touch surfaces. This elevated approach extends to the cleaning and sanitation processes within our guest rooms, restaurants, and team member service areas.

We also are continually reviewing all of our operations and adjusting the seating capacities in public spaces including dining areas, the Front Porch, Parlor, and lower lobby where the front desk is located. Several in-room amenities, such as the coffee maker and mini bar are not available this season, however, guests will be able to make requests for whatever they need; our team is here to serve everyone safely. We are also limiting some of the activities available that do not allow for safe social distancing.

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new Executive Order requiring Michiganders to wear masks in indoor public spaces and some outdoor public spaces. Does this help Grand Hotel enforce a mask or face covering rule?  

The Governor’s recent Executive Order clarifies the issue and takes any individual interpretation out of the equation making it easier to explain to our guests. If we want a successful tourism season in Michigan, continuing to serve our guests in a safe manner, and keeping businesses open, we need to follow what the Executive Order says and help remind people to wear a mask.

Please share anything additional Grand Hotel has done to keep employees and customers safe during this time: 

We made outdoor dining a priority for not only our guests but for everyone visiting Mackinac Island. We have multiple outdoor dining options available at The Gate House, Jockey Club, and Woods Restaurant. All of our restaurants are adhering to the social distancing requirements by keeping the tables and patrons six-feet apart.

Learn more about the Keep Businesses Open #MaskUpMichigan Campaign.


Thursday, July 16
11 a.m.

How is Mackinac Island ensuring a safe travel experience for visitors during the COVID-19 global pandemic? Learn what to expect when traveling to Mackinac Island this summer and fall. Doug Dean, executive vice president of operations at Grand Hotel, and Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, will share what Island businesses have done to reopen and the precautions they have implemented to ensure safety.

Dean and Hygh will engage in a discussion with Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber.