Modern Travel Agent Podcast
10. Resort Covid Testing & Quarantine Policies | Chris Dehner of Modern Travelworks
On this episode of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast, I cover antigen Covid testing policies for the major resort brands that we book in Mexico and the Caribbean including Palladium, Posadas, Blue Diamond, AIC, AMR Collection, Sandos, Karisma, Playa, and Atelier. I cover two primary questions for each resort brand.
1. Is the Covid-19 antigen test included at no cost by the resort? If not, what is the cost of the test?
2. What happens if you or your clients test positive in destination?
All of the links and sources are included below.
Show Notes
- Resort Pictured in Background – TRS Cap Cana
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Updated 9/12/22: A lot of the Covid-19 related travel restrictions have been lifted since recording this episode. Each destination’s tourism board website is a great location to find the most up-to-date information.
All of the information below is focused on antigen Covid-19 test and quarantine policies for those returning to the United States. This information is current as of 1/3/22, but the pricing & policies are always subject to change.
General CDC Information:
“CDC amended its October 25, 2021 Order, titled, “Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States.” This amendment updates COVID-19 testing requirements for air passengers 2 years or older boarding a flight to the United States.
All air passengers 2 years or older with a flight departing to the US from a foreign country at or after 12:01am EST (5:01am GMT) on December 6, 2021, are required show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight.”
For more information on this testing requirement, please visit these CDC websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html
Palladium Hotel Group:
Covid Testing:
All existing bookings booked before July 31, 2021 will continue getting the COVID19 antigen test free of charge. Starting August 01, 2021, bookings with passengers staying 7 nights or more will have the COVID19 antigen test free of charge and all new bookings of 6 or less nights of passengers arriving at any Palladium property around the world can get the test at the following cost:
Mexico – $25 per person plus tax
Dominican Republic – $25 per person plus tax
Jamaica – $40 per person plus tax
If you test positive:
Palladium Hotel Group will continue offering 1 room accommodation for up to 10 days on complimentary stay for up 2 people for arrivals between now and April 30th, 2022, in the event any of our guests test positive while staying on property and requires quarantining. In the event a 2nd room is needed, they will offer a 20% discount over the rates available on their website.
For additional information on Palladium’s Covid-19 Policies:
Palladium Covid Testing Policies
https://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/en/info-covid19
https://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/en/vacations-post-covid-19
Posadas:
Covid Testing:
Posadas offers free antigen tests to all guests traveling from Mexico to the US.
If you test positive:
Posadas suggests you purchase the Travel with Confidence Protection program upon your check in. This insurance costs $4 USD per night and covers accidents or illness you may suffer during your stay at any of their hotels, including Covid-19. If you test positive for Covid-19, Posadas will offer you a special rate of $10 USD (plus taxes) per guest, per night, so that you can spend your quarantine inside the hotel.
For additional information on Posadas Covid-19 Policies:
https://www.posadas.com/en/web/posadas.com/travelwithconfidence
https://www.posadas.com/en/web/posadas.com/travelwithconfidence#test-tag
Blue Diamond Resorts:
Covid Testing:
As of January 1st, for Blue Diamond properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the antigen tests are $35 per person. For Jamaica and St. Lucia, they’re $40 per person. The Mystique Holbox is $50 and the Mystique St. Lucia is $80. Antigua is $75. Costa Rica is $85 per person. Grenada is $37.
If you test positive:
To accommodate guests who test positive on-site, Blue Diamond has implemented special nightly rates in the event they must extend their stay in destination. Those rates vary by destination, but for most resorts in Mexico, the cost is around $100 per person, per night based on double occupancy.
For additional information on Blue Diamond’s Covid-19 Policies:
Blue Diamond Covid-19 Policies (initially published on January 1, 2022)
AIC Hotel Group:
Covid Testing:
All existing and new U.S. reservations of 3 or more nights traveling between now and March 31, 2022 or until the government mandate is lifted will receive 2 complimentary antigen tests per room. Additional tests can be purchased (cost varies between $35-$50 USD).
If you test positive:
Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to quarantine at the hotel for up to 14 nights at no cost to them. Additionally, onsite medical assistance insurance will be included in their stay to cover medical expenses such as doctor, medication, and hospitalization.
For additional information on AIC Hotel Groups’ Covid-19 Policies:
https://www.hardrockhotels.com/cancun/covid-testing.aspx
https://www.hardrockhotels.com/riviera-maya/covid-testing.aspx
https://www.hardrockhotels.com/los-cabos/covid-testing.aspx
https://www.hardrockhotels.com/vallarta/covid-testing.aspx
https://www.hardrockhotels.com/punta-cana/covid-testing.aspx
https://www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com/en/info/covid-testing/
AMR Collection:
Covid Testing:
For guests who have booked their stay prior to November 15, 2021, their COVID-19 antigen test will be honored at no charge, regardless of room category. Effective November 15, 2021, guests with new bookings staying in a standard room category will be charged for their COVID-19 antigen tests, $35 per person for most destinations, but Jamaica and Costa Rica are $40 and Los Cabos is $50. Guests staying in a Preferred Club room category for three or more nights in all destinations will continue to receive their COVID-19 antigen tests at no charge. Guests staying at a Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resort for 3 nights or longer will receive their antigen test at no charge.
If you test positive:
If a guest receives a positive test while on property that prevents departure, the cost of quarantine at the property will be covered for up to 14 days after the original departure date. Extended stay due to quarantine includes the guest plus one travel companion sharing the same room. For additional traveling companions sharing the same room beyond yourself and one travel companion, the resort is pleased to provide discounted rates below.
PP/PN
Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts – $139
Secrets Resorts & Spas – $119
Breathless Resorts & Spas – $119
Dreams Resorts & Spas – $109
Now Resorts & Spas – $109
Sunscape Resorts & Spas – $99
For additional information on AMR Collection’s Covid-19 Policies:
https://www.amrcollection.com/en/about-us/clean-complete-verification/mexico-caribbean/
https://alg.widen.net/s/7kgqjgksdm/amr-clean-complete-cdc-travel-regulations
Sandos Hotels & Resorts:
Covid Testing:
Any guests who made a reservation before November 10th, 2021 will receive free antigen tests. For reservations made after November 10th, 2021, Antigen tests will cost 30 USD per person (VAT included).
If you test positive:
Anyone who tests positive during their stay at Sandos will be eligible for 3 extra nights in quarantine at no additional cost. If more days are needed, it will be covered by the guest at the cost of 50 USD per night per person in Sandos Playacar and Sandos Caracol. 65 USD per night per person in Sandos Cancun and Sandos Finisterra. This includes 3 meals per day and non alcoholic beverages.
For additional information regarding Sandos’ Covid-19 Testing Policies:
Karisma Hotels & Resorts:
Covid Testing:
All Karisma Hotels & Resorts in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica offer on-site covid-19 antigen and PCR testing options for guests at a reduced rate. Antigen testing is provided at an at-cost rate of $25 in Riviera Maya, Mexico, $31 in Negril, Jamaica, and $37 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
If you test positive:
If a guest’s test results are positive, quarantine accommodations will be provided at a 50% discount from current rates at time of travel. Arrangements and payment can be made directly on-site at the resorts. This rate will be extended until a doctor certifies clearance for travel with a negative test result, for a maximum stay not to exceed 14- nights.
For more information on Karisma Hotels and Resorts’ Covid testing policies:
Playa Hotels & Resorts:
Covid Testing:
Playa offers the convenience of complimentary on-property COVID-19 antigen testing, which is accepted as part of the CDC’s expanded U.S. travel requirements. Complimentary antigen tests are available to registered guests returning to the U.S. from any of their 17 resorts across Mexico and throughout the Caribbean.
Mexico, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic
COMPLIMENTARY ON-PROPERTY TESTING
• Complimentary Antigen testing
• Based on 3-Night Stay in Mexico
• Based on 3-Night Stay in Jamaica
• $60 per Antigen test for stays less than 3-Nights in Jamaica resorts
If you test positive:
We provide quarantine services for guests that test positive for COVID-19. As part of our quarantine service, we offer up to a 50% discount on accommodations for guests needing to quarantine up to 14 days.
For more information on Playa Resorts’ Covid testing policies:
Atelier Hotels:
Covid Testing:
At ATELIER Playa Mujeres, ESTUDIO Playa Mujeres, and ÓLEO Cancún Playa antigen tests will be included free of charge to all guests who, accordingly to their country of origin such as the United States, require a negative antigen test result for Covid-19 at boarding time of their flight. A minimum stay of 3 nights is required to request the free antigen test. Reservations of less than 3 nights may request the test for $15 USD per person.
If you test positive:
If you or any of your companions get a positive result on any of the tests, ATELIER de Hoteles will provide an isolation complimentary stay at the resort you previously booked, subject to the current Action Plan of the booked resort.
https://atelierdehoteles.com/frequently-asked-questions-covid-19-tests