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Blog Post

Covid-19

  • by jane harrison
  • 26 May, 2020

Response to Covid-19 cleaning schedule and arrangements

Well what a lot has happened since my last Blog!
Things had been going wonderfully well with happy guests and busy bookings. We had just had Wi-Fi installed for our guests use and upgraded to a new large screen TV to enjoy the TV package we had ordered.
 Air bnb had just awarded us Superhost status again and we had earned another Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor. Ellyn & I had been considering a couple of building projects to make our apartment even better, but then everything stopped..............bookings were cancelled and confusion and uncertainty took their place.
As my great nephew aged 4 years old declared "those pesky bugs have spoilt everything!"
We are currently closed and not accepting bookings until the government tell us otherwise. As soon as we are allowed we will be open again. 
We are lucky in that we had ear marked last years profits for possible building projects so we do have some money in the business to enable us to keep afloat, as although no money is coming in, it certainly keeps going out!
We still have to pay for all the services etc that we need. We are lucky we did this as I'm sure a lot of businesses are struggling at the present time.
During this time of uncertainty we have been revisiting our cleaning procedures and systems and looking at what we need to do. Sarah our housekeeper is wonderful and all our guests comment on how clean the apartment is when they arrive. Due to the added threat of COVID-19 we have looked at what else we need to do in order to help our guests and Sarah stay safe.
I have attached our cleaning schedules at the bottom of this blog to share with you.
The PPE and  sanitisers that I ordered have arrived ready for sarah to use whilst she cleans after guests leave and before new ones arrive. We will provide hand sanitiser for guests to use during their stay. We don't expect guests to clean during their stay as the apartment is always sparkly clean for their arrival but we do provide a few items for guests to use if they want a quick clean up during their stay, and for their peace of mind  we will increase the range of cleaning products available to guests to use should they so wish.
Our linens will be washed on 90 degree hot washes. (All our bed linens and towels are 100% cotton so it won't damage them).
I'm sure all our guests who have had to cancel their holidays are feeling disappointed at having to postpone their holidays. We have offered everyone of them a no quibble full refund in the hope that they will rebook once this situation is sorted out.
It is a frightening and uncertain  time we are all going through. On the whole it seems to be bringing out the best in people who are showing kindness and respect to others. People are putting themselves on the front line by going to work to keep us safe and looked after and keeping us fed, providing transport, volunteering......all the things we sometimes take for granted and we thank them all every single one of them.
We have signed up for the Whitby weekender thank you weekend which is hopefully going to take place at the beginning of October. Businesses in Whitby are coming together to offer free things to frontline NHS workers to say thank you to them. Hotels, B&B's, Holiday rentals, restaurants, pubs even launderettes are offering free services to people. The frontline workers have to register and depending on how many businesses sign up people will be given a free service or room for the weekend. We have offered up our apartment free to a registered family to come for the weekend. It is not a lot and we can't help everyone but it is the businesses people of Whitby giving what they can as a gesture and we are happy to help in our own small way.
We also thank the people who have stayed away from Whitby to protect all the lovely people who live here. We hope that now the restrictions are being eased slightly people will behave responsibly and continue to observe the social distancing guidelines.
We can't wait to welcome guests back, please be assured we are doing everything we can to ensure guests  stay safe and have a wonderful holiday, and as soon as the government tell us we are safe to reopen we will.  
 
 


Preparations for the re opening of our holiday apartment have begun. We have indentified the following things that we need to do.

Prior to first letting following the lockdown we will:
Drain all water systems and allow taps, appliances, shower etc. to run to clear the system and replenish with fresh water.
Remove all "extras" which will make cleaning easier and more effective. All books, games, DVDs will be removed and stored. (our new TV package and internet provision will replace these for entertainment and information)
Decorative cushions and throws will be temporarily removed.
The OOOps box will need to be rethought.

The Guests information handbook will be digitalised and emailed to guests when they are sent directions and key codes. The paper handbook will be removed from the apartment.
Although the apartment will have been cleaned and sanitised by Sarah our housekeeper before a guests arrival Guests will be alerted to the selection of cleaning products that we always leave in in the cupboard if they wish to use them for their own peace of mind.
Cleaning clothes and scourers will be replaced new for each new booking as usual.

Hand sanitiser will be provided for guest use during their stay.

Guests will be informed of our new schedules prior to their stay.
Guests will be asked not to turn up if they or any of their party are showing signs of COVID-19
Guests will be asked to inform us immediately if they or any of their party develop signs of COVID-19 during their stay.
Guests will be asked to to follow current government advice re social distancing etc. during their stay.
Guests will be asked to adhere to check in and check out timings to enable Sarah to work safely and be given the time to clean thoroughly.

Check in and out will remain remote by key code.

Guests will be requested to empty their waste bins into the bags provided and dispose of them in the bin store outside.

Guests will be asked to open all the windows of the apartment when they check out.(This will allow for a free flow of air through the apartment to remove any airborne virus that may be there)

Sarah not to enter the apartment for two hours after the guests departure.
To allow for free flow of air and provide clean air to protect Sarah

On entry to the apartment Sarah to wear a protective mask provided by us, thoroughly sanitise her hands and put on protective gloves before starting work.

All linen to be bagged ready for laundry.
All linen to be washed on 90 degree wash cycle.

Pillows will be removed and placed in quarantine for at least 76 hours after use. New guests will be provided with fresh sanitised  pillows.

Sofas and throws will be steam cleaned at each turnaround.

The following guidelines provided by Air bnb to be followed:









Cleaning Guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 based on recommendations from the Centres for Disease Control & Prevention

Cleaning Checklist

Ventilate rooms before you clean.
Allow fresh air to circulate for at least 20 minutes. If possible leave all windows open during the entire cleaning process.

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after each cleaning.
Use soap and water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. If that's not possible use a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.

Wear disposable gloves while you clean.
Gloves should be thrown out after each cleaning. Make sure hands are washed immediately after gloves are removed.

Clean then disinfect.
Cleaning is when you use soap or detergent and water to remove dirt, germs and impurities. Disinfecting refers to the use of chemicals like bleach or alcohol to kill germs. Doing both is the best way to reduce the spread of infection.

Use the right disinfectant.
Diluted household bleach, cleaning products with at least 70% alcohol, and most common disinfectants registered by the Environment Protection Agency are believed to be effective against coronavirus.

Focus on frequently touched surfaces.
Light switches, doorknobs, remote controls, tap handles and surfaces to be disinfected then steam cleaned.

Dont forget about sofas, rugs, drapes and other soft porous surfaces.
Carefully remove any viable dirt then use appropriate cleaner for the material. Steam clean.

Wash all linens at the highest heat setting.
That includes bed sheets, mattress covers, hand and bath towels, kitchen towels. Wear gloves and mask when handling dirty laundry.

Empty the vacuum cleaner after every cleaning.

Do not mix household bleach with ammonia or other cleaning solutions- doing so can release toxic gases









What to clean & disinfect

General

Doorknobs
Fans and Lamp chains
Garbage & recyling bins
Hairdryers
ironing boards & irons
keys
light switches
railings
remote controls
tabletops
window sills and window handles

Kitchen

Appliances, oven, dishwasher, toaster etc.
Cabinet handles & pulls
Condiments, oil, salt & pepper shakers
hard backed chairs
kitchenware that isn't dishwasher safe
sinks

Bathroom

Taps
soap dispensers
shower & bath
sinks
toilet

Bedrooms

Hangers
nightstands
chest of drawers
wardrobes





Hopefully you can see that we are working very hard to keep all our guests and our housekeeper Sarah safe. If any new guidelines are published by the government we will include those in our schedules.
by jane harrison 23 Jun, 2020
Things to do in Whitby

Climb the 199 steps to the Abbey where Dracula came ashore
Great views of Whitby and the coast. Can pick up the coastal path to Robin Hoods Bay from there.

If you go past the steps and down the street underneath you will find the famous smokehouse which sells home smoked kippers.

Visit the Whitby Brewery
East Cliff, Whitby Yo22 4JR
11am - 5pm  tel 01947 228871
On the cliff top. A micro Brewery that serves its own local Whitby beer which I'm told is very good. A good stopping off point after a walk along the coastal path or to recover from the 199 steps.

Coastal Path to Robin Hoods Bay (there is a bus service if you only want to walk one way.)

Walk to Sandsend  along the beach (check tide times) there is a nice pub and a tea shop when you get there.

Follow the Whitby Trail leaflet from Tourist Information

Take a fishing boat trip from the harbour

Take a Whale watching cruise from the harbour

Take a Ghost walk around Whitby. Signs are at the Market place on road up to the Abbey and at the top of the cliff near Captain Cooks Monument next to the Whale Bones. They usually start about 7.30pm - 8pm £5 each

Catch a Steam Train and take a ride across the Moors to Goathland (Railway Children and Heartbeat filmed there) Pickering and Grosmont.
Timetables available on line or from the Railway station in Whitby near to the Co-Op

There is a nature park walk at the back of Whitehall Landing, follow the riverside walkway on the development around to the left and walk out the back of the apartments to find a footpath which takes you back inland along the riverbank. This is also a good place to take a photograph of the steam trains as they leave Whitby.

There is a footpath to the pretty village of Ruswarp along the riverbank, (the path on the other side of the river is better if you want to walk all the way to Ruswarp.)

Take a walk to Malham Spout Waterfall in Goathland. Access the path at the side of the Malham Spout Hotel in Goathland. Path is for the sure footed. There are car parks available in Goathland.

Staithes is a quaint little fishing village just up the coast. There is a nice little pub on the harbour. sit outside with a coffee and enjoy looking out to sea. It is a ten minute walk up and down a steep hill! Quirky little art shops and galleries to explore along the way. 

Explore the Rock Pools at Robin Hoods Bay beach - another steep hill! There is also a little museum at Robin Hoods Bay which is interesting.

The villages of Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering and Malton are also nice stopping off points. Pickering hosts a famous 1940's weekend which is interesting and fun. Check Tourist Information for up to date dates. Pickering also hosts an agricultural livestock market every week which is interesting. Malton is fast becoming famous as a foodie destination with lots of artisan food producers.
by jane harrison 22 Jun, 2020
EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND CONTACTS FOR WHITBY



A&E open 24 hours:

Scarborough Hospital  15.5 miles 
tel 01723 368111 
Woodlands Drive, Scarborough, YO12 6QL

James Cook University Hospita l 28.8 miles
tel 01642 850850
Marton Road, Middlesborough, Cleveland, TS4 3BW

Doctors

Whitby Group Practise
tel 01947 820888
Springvale Medical Centre, Rievaulx Road, Whitby, YO21 1SD

Sandsend Surgery
tel 01947 894948
East Row, Sandsend, Whitby, YO21 3SU


Dentists

Station Road Dental Practise
tel 01947 880328
The Surgery, Station Road, Whitby, YO22 4RA

Whitby Dental Care
tel 01947 605080
9 Victoria Square, Whitby, YO21 1EA







by jane harrison 22 Jun, 2020
Welcome to Whitby14 we hope you have a wonderful stay in our apartment.
Because of the current situation with Covid-19 we have looked at everything we can do to help you and our housekeeper Sarah stay safe.
We have put our cleaning schedules and practises on our web site on our blog page named Covid-19 so that you can see what extra measures we take to help keep you safe. 
Our check in and out remains contactless via a key safe.
We have unfortunately had to remove from our apartment a few things which we consider may pose a risk however small. So you will find that all the books, DVD's and board games have been removed. Along with our ever popular Ooops box.
We apologise for this  but we promise it will all go back as soon as it is safe to do so.
We have left the hairdryers and these will be sanitised after every booking.
We have digitilised our Guest information book which you will find here once I've finished prattling on!
We are doing everything we can to allow you to have a wonderful stress free holiday after such a challenging couple of months.
The beautiful beaches and coastal walks await.....so have fun and stay safe!!!!

Whitby14 Guest information pack

Welcome to your holiday apartment,
we hope you have a very happy, safe and comfortable time during your stay here in Whitby.
Your apartment has been prepared for you by our housekeeper Sarah and we trust that everything is to your satisfaction.
If there are any problems please call us on Jane 07970 441419
We have put together this information pack so that you can get the most out of your holiday.
House keeping details are here along with information on places to visit and things to do to help you get the most out of your holiday.
The list is not inclusive and we are sure you will find lots of other places to visit which we hope you will share on our facebook page Whitby14.
Have a great holiday, relax and unwind.
Best wishes

Jane & Ellyn

You will have been emailed directions to the apartment a couple of days ago.(please keep a copy of this with you for when you arrive as you will need the key codes contained in it. Once you arrive please park in your designated parking space. You will have been sent a Covid-19 information sheet along with your directions. Please observe the social distancing and sanitisation recommendations.
Keys: You will have two keys for the apartment, the big key is a security key for the main door into the apartment block, the smaller one is for the apartment door. Please do not lose them as the security key is difficult and expensive to replace.
The lock on the apartment door does not self lock and you need to remember to lock it (I only mention it because I used to always forget to do it)
The external door however does self lock so don't go out without your key.

Bins: There is a general waste bin in the big cupboard in the kitchen when you need to empty it the bin store is outside where you found the key safe. The bin code is printed up on the notice board in the foyer and is on your directions and key code letter. punch the number into the touch pad. To close the door again pull on the white cord.
Please put any clean and dry recycling in the bin in the cupboard next to the dishwasher and we will sort it out.

Bathroom: Please do not put baby wipes etc down the toilet, use the bin.

Parking Space:  You have a dedicated parking space outside at the back of the apartment, it is marked apartment14. Please park your vehicle there. If you have more than one car there are a limited number of visitor spaces which you may use whilst you are our guests.
These are marked V, there is a limited number and we can't guarantee that one will be available.
 There are a number of public car parks nearby for any extra vehicles. Please do NOT park in our neighbours dedicated spaces.
If any of your party find the short set of stairs from the car park to the door a problem it is possible to drop them off at the end of the path so
that they have a flat approach to the door and the lift.


by jane harrison 28 Jun, 2018
Catch up from Whitby14 holiday apartment
by jane harrison 14 Nov, 2017
distress at finding a guest has trashed your apartment
by jane harrison 19 Oct, 2017
winning a Certificate of Excellence from trip Advisor
by jane harrison 29 Sept, 2017
News from Whitby14 self catering holiday apartment
by jane harrison 22 Aug, 2017
I've been a bad girl............I've just looked at my last blog from a couple of weeks ago and in it I said I was going to design and get printed some postcards to advertise the apartment and also put together a slide show of things to do in Whitby for our Facebook page and I haven't done either!!!  In my defence my day job gets very busy at this time of year so I haven't been sat on my bottom doing nothing (tempting though that sounds) and I have been kept busy emailing and texting our many visitors.  Nevertheless I said I would do it so I had better get on with it. 
We have been very busy with lots of lovely holiday makers enjoying the apartment and a lot of them have been kind enough to leave us some great reviews on Trip Advisor. We now have nine 5* reviews from our happy holidaymakers which is fantastic. Thank you to all of the people who have taken the time to write a review for us, we do appreciate it. We have a lot to live up to now, expectations from our future guests will be high and we don't want to disappoint them.
Trip Advisor have told us that we are one of their top owners in that we respond to visitors enquiries quickly and efficiently,(my daughters love it too because they say mum now answers her mobile phone!)  and we have a beautiful apartment that our guests are saying lovely things about and giving us 5* reviews. They have also told us that we are being considered for one of their Badge of Excellence awards, the selection process will take place in October... so fingers crossed. Ellyn & I are really pleased that we are being considered for this award and are so proud at what we have achieved in the four short months we have been letting the holiday apartment. 
Sarah our housekeeper has been working exceptionally hard to keep the apartment in tip top order, our guests appreciate what she does and so do we. She must be worn out. We wouldn't be having the success we are having without her. Thank you Sarah we and the holiday makers love you !!! 
We have had our first repeat booking...its so exciting. It sounds stupid to get excited about that but its a measure that people really mean what they are saying in their reviews and are wanting to come back. The couple came in May and have now booked to come back in October, I think they like Whitby when it is a bit quieter and they have told me they want to visit the 40"s weekend event in Pickering. In previous years they have visited and stayed in a caravan but after trying our apartment they want to return especially as they tell me that the caravan wasn't any cheaper than what they pay for the apartment and the apartment is a lot nicer. Of course it is....Sarah wouldn't allow it to be any other!! 


by jane harrison 04 Aug, 2017
I have just checked the date of my last blog and I can't believe it has only been a month since I was being so surprised at how well the bookings for Whitby14 had started. Things have continued to go mad, we were fully booked up for July and have only one day free in August and now September is booking up as well. We have already had Christmas week booked and now New Year has gone as well. Are we ever going to get a holiday of our own? I'm not moaning though Whitby14 is there to pay its own way and at the moment it is doing that rather well. The October half term break has been popular and we have two short breaks booked in for then. I expect we will now start getting bookings from couples
who want a quieter break once the children have returned to school in September.
We have had some lovely people to stay and they have been kind enough to leave us some fantastic reviews with all of them saying they would like to return again which is great.
We had a new water heater installed last month as the old one decided to start playing up and we couldn't have that for our guests.  Keith the plumber did a fine job getting it all done in the one day we had free in July and now we have a super new immersion heater and lots of hot water again.
John & I met up with our housekeeper Sarah and her husband Tim last week, it was nice to meet up socially for a change. Tim said I told Sarah I love her more times than he does! But its true I do love her, she is doing a fantastic job, the apartment is looking beautiful,  our guests all comment on it, and nothing is too much trouble for her.
We stocked up on bottles of wine and nibbles for our guests while we were there, they keep telling us that they appreciate having a little present to get their holidays off to a relaxing start so we will continue to do it for them. I just need to make sure that John or Paul don't get their hands on it when they are busy doing the odd job or two that keeps the apartment looking great... at least not until after the jobs have been done!
Whilst we were up in Whitby I updated our visitor folder with lots of new leaflets on attractions and things to do in Whitby and the surrounding area. The folder is quite big now. There are all sorts of things I would like to see and do when I  get the chance. 
It was the Steampunk weekend in Whitby last week end, where people dress in fantasy victorian engineering costumes. It sounds weird but  it looks amazing. I wonder what our guests thought about it all. I would have loved to have photographed it myself.....maybe next year. 
There are lots of events coming up in Whitby in August, the regatta, folk weekend , the steam trains are running their summer timetables and English Heritage re running events up at Whitby Abbey, our guests will be spoilt for choice. My recent visit to the tourist information office in Whitby has inspired me to put together a little slideshow of events for our Facebook page. Its on the to do list so watch out for it.......
In the meantime enjoy your summer sunshine.









by jane harrison 02 Jul, 2017
Crikey that was quick! I advertised our holiday apartment for rent on Trip Advisor on Wednesday and the response was overwhelming.
We have taken four bookings in the space of 36 hours. We hoped that Trip Advisor would be a good marketing tool but it has surpassed our expectations. It was really easy to put up our advert, I had taken some photographs of the apartment and of Whitby and a quick bit of copywriting to describe our apartment and we were away.
All the bookings are for the next 6 weeks so I suppose we were popular because of availability as much as desirability. We hope that once our holiday makers have enjoyed a holiday in our apartment they will want to come back again because it is so nice and also spread the word amongst their friends. I have already had one couple who stayed last month getting back in touch asking about availability in October.
I was hoping for a quick little holiday in my apartment but I can't get in, its booked up!!
I know that the internet is very popular and that sites like Trip advisor are often the first "go to" sites for people looking for that perfect holiday let but we won't forget the those who like the traditional methods of booking so this week I will be designing some postcards with details of the apartment to use for advertising.   
I am feeling a little more relaxed about letting out the apartment, Sarah is being very supportive and is a godsend. Tim her husband joined the team last week and fixed our key safe for us which will make getting the keys to our guests a lot simpler. We have been extremely lucky in finding them. 
Our first Trip Advisor guest will be staying this weekend coming so fingers crossed they will like it. 
I'll keep you up to date in a week or two.
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