Hotels and Destinations Offering COVID Testing in Response to CDC Order

By Matt Turner Jan 15, 2021 10:44am

Earlier this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order saying, from January 26, all international travelers arriving in the United States will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 in order to board their flight. In response, several hotels and destinations have announced they are now offering COVID-19 or antigen testing.

Here’s what you need to know:

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has named health expert, Dr. Javier Torres as the lead practitioner who will be heading all of the testing efforts throughout the Reserve property. Dr. Javier Torres is available to administer private in room/residence molecular COVID-19 testing to any registered guest or resident. The initial fee for one molecular COVID-19 test is $400; each additional COVID-19 test can be administered for a fee of $150 (per person).

Visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/dorado-beach

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is now offering on-site RT-PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for guests departing Nassau. Administered by Doctor’s Hospital professionals, on-site departure tests are optional for resort guests and are being offered in addition to the required tests upon arrival, which are also administered at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. The resort has also created a “Safe Travels” package that includes two RT-PCR COVID-19 tests at a discounted rate.

After making an appointment through the online form, with a 24-hour notice recommended, guests will be directed to resort’s Grand Club area where a Doctor’s Hospital staff member will conduct the test. The RT-PCR costs $134.40 (VAT included) per person, with results delivered in six or fewer hours via email. The Rapid antigen test costs $16.80 (VAT included) per person, with results delivered in 60 min or less via email.

Complete details for the “Safe Travels” package include:

Booking window: January 12, 2021 – April 30, 2021
Travel window: January 12, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Three-night minimum stay required
Includes two RT-PCR COVID-19 tests on the day of departure, with the option to purchase additional RT-PCR COVID-19 tests at a discounted rate of $125/person (plus VAT). Results are delivered via email within six hours. Guests also have the option to purchase rapid antigen tests for $16.80/person, with results delivered via email within 60 minutes

Use promo code SAFE at www.grandhyattbahamar.com.

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun has actively worked to offer convenient and affordable onsite testing options for guests having to meet the travel requirements of various countries, including the U.S., Canada and U.K.

For U.S. travelers: All existing and new U.S. reservations of three or more nights booked by February 28, 2021 checking out between January 26 and December 31, 2021 or until the government mandate is lifted will receive two complimentary antigen tests per room; additional tests can be purchased for $50. Antigen testing meets these CDC requirements, and must be taken within three calendar days before your departing flight to the U.S.

Alternatively, in place of a negative test result, passengers who have made a full recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months (90 days) preceding the flight’s departure from an international destination, may choose to present “documentation of recovery” that includes positive viral test results and an official letter from a healthcare provider stating they have been cleared for travel.

The hotel concierge team will assist guests onsite with scheduling their tests.

Visit www.hardrockhotels.com.

Karisma Hotels & Resorts

All Karisma Hotels & Resorts in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica will offer complimentary, on-site COVID-19 antigen testing as per CDC guidelines for guests who are traveling to the U.S. Testing will be available free of charge at the hotels for guests departing as of January 26 in response to the requirements that all air passengers entering the United States produce a negative antigen test.

If a guest's return travel test results are positive, Karisma will provide quarantine accommodations until a doctor certifies clearance for travel with a negative test result for a period not to exceed 14 nights.

These amenities are available for guests traveling through March 31, 2021. Policies are subject to be reviewed and changed according COVID-19 protocol updates.

Visit www.karismahotels.com.

La Colección Resorts

La Colección Resorts, which has properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, is reassuring its guests continue having a seamless vacation experience by offering free antigen testing, available on-site. In response to new requirements from the CDC that requires travelers abroad to obtain a negative COVID-19 viral test result 72 hours prior to their departure back to the U.S., the company has facilitated services from certified local laboratories as an alternative for beach resorts’ guests to get tested.

As part of the company’s “Travel with Confidence” program, guests staying at any of La Colección Resorts’ properties can coordinate with the resort’s concierge a complimentary antigen testing performed by a local lab inside hotel facilities 36 hours before their departure. This service will end once the government testing mandate is lifted. Guests requiring the PCR tests can also make arrangements with the concierge 72 hours prior to their departure, however, this test does have an additional cost, is subject to availability and may be administered off-site according to each destination.

In addition to these services, the “Travel with Confidence” protection program offers guests full coverage of accidents or illnesses (including COVID-19) from the time of check-in to checkout and telehealth assistance for up to 72 hours, hotel expenses during recovery and 24-hour services among other benefits at an extra cost of $4 per night. Should a guest test positive, a substantial discounted nightly rate of $10 per night (plus taxes), per person, will be offered during quarantine.

Visit www.posadas.com.

Montage Los Cabos

The 39-acre Montage Los Cabos will facilitate convenient, on-site rapid antigen testing with a two-hour turnaround period on a complimentary basis for resort guests. Tests will be administered by medical personnel and guests can contact the concierge to schedule their appointment directly.

Visit www.montagehotels.com.

Palladium Hotel Group

In an effort to comply with newly implemented CDC travel guidelines, Palladium Hotel Group is now providing on-property COVID-19 tests for all guests traveling to the United States and Canada. Antigen COVID-19 rapid testing is available free of charge for guests traveling back to the United States (until April 4, 2021) and PCR COVID-19 testing is available for guests traveling to Canada.

COVID-19 testing is available at all Palladium Hotel Group properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, including its Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts and TRS Hotels brands. Testing is available in the mornings at the resorts’ on-site medical centers with results available by the evening if taken on a weekday or results available on Monday if taken during the weekend.

It is recommended that guests schedule appointments to test upon arrival on property. Resort staff will coordinate with guests to accommodate the appointments. Guests must take into consideration their home country’s specific requirements; in the case of the United States and Canada, for instance, the airlines require COVID-19 tests to be taken no more than 72 hours prior to the traveler's scheduled departure.

The PCR COVID-19 test is available to guests traveling to Canada with costs ranging between $177 and $443 CAD.

Visit www.palladiumhotelgroup.com.

Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts

Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts will be offering onsite COVID-19 viral antigen testing, beginning January 26, 2021.

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica is offering guest the opportunity to book an appointment to receive a PCR test for $150, with results returned in 36 to 48 hours. At this time the Ministry of Health in Costa Rica has not approved a viral antigen test for guests, which is why the PCR test is available.

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun is set to debut January 29, 2021 in the resort enclave of Costa Mujeres. Guests staying at the resort will be able to set up an appointment for a free viral antigen test. They will receive their results the same day.

Visit www.planethollywoodhotels.com.

Punta Mita / Riviera Nayarit

The 1,500-acre resort and residential community situated in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, Punta Mita comprises a variety of residential offerings, beach clubs and estate lots, as well as the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, The St. Regis Resort Punta Mita and a hospital on site. Now, Hospital Punta Mita is offering PCR and antigen tests. The test results are returned in 16 hours for PCR and for hours for antigen. The cost is 3,690 pesos (approximately $185) for PCR and $1,250 (approximately $63) for antigen.

W Punta de Mita is also able to connect guests with the local Punta Mita hospital, which offers PCR testing and can assist guests in booking an appointment and arranging transportation.

In addition, with the recent announcements regarding Canadian and U.S. travelers abroad now required to show negative COVID-19 test results upon re-entry, the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau is prepared to assist travelers by offering testing at three hospitals, as well as local laboratories and clinics in the region. Hospital Joya, Hospital CMQ and Hospital Punta Mita, in addition to several clinics, are fully equipped to attend to American and Canadian travelers requiring testing and are offering special rates for both.

Travelers are encouraged to make appointments with the hospitals ahead of time and must present their passport and departure plane ticket to travel in a period that does not exceed 72 hours.

Visit www.rivieranayarit.com.

Royalton Luxury Resorts

Royalton Luxury Resorts, Hideaway at Royalton Resorts and Mystique by Royalton Resorts will be offering onsite COVID-19 viral antigen testing, beginning January 26, 2021.

All guests staying at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton CHIC Suites Cancun, Mystique Holbox by Royalton, Royalton Bavaro, Royalton Punta Cana, Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana, Royalton Splash, Royalton Negril, Hideaway at Royalton Negril, Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton White Sands can receive a free viral antigen test onsite until March 31, 2021, or until regulations regarding this new requirement change. Guests are able to make an appointment at guest services upon arrival and results will be returned the same day.

Guests staying at Mystique Saint Lucia by Royalton or Royalton Antigua will also have the option to receive a viral antigen test at an extra cost of $150-$200, with results delivered up to 72 hours later.

Visit www.royaltonresorts.com.

Sandals Resorts International

To ensure the latest CDC requirements are of minimal disruption to guests, Sandals and Beaches Resorts have arranged the ability to have complimentary testing conducted through March 31 on-property. Tests will be conducted by approved and practiced medical professionals. As this has been an established requirement for other visitors from around the world, Sandals assures that its team is experienced in providing a smooth and effortless process.

Once at the resort, the Sandals or Beaches team will assist guests to make the arrangements required to schedule their onsite COVID-19 test. Results will be available within 24 to 48 hours.

Visit www.sandals.com.

Saint Lucia

In response to the U.S., UK and Canadian governments’ requirements of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test for airline passengers, Saint Lucia is set to meet the demand for on-island testing and processing.

Saint Lucia has multiple COVID-19 PCR and antigen (rapid) testing options for departing visitors, citizens and residents. Travelers can obtain a test at select hotels or at local testing facilities, with test results returned within the requisite 72-hour time frame. There are additional options in development to expand testing locations. Travelers can make appointments for tests once they arrive on island or through their COVID-certified hotel. Pricing varies based on location and the type of test administered.

Saint Lucia and its accommodation providers aim to ease the stress and cost of vacation planning. As an added perk, select hotels are offering complimentary antigen (rapid) tests to guests who qualify.

As of January 14, the hotels and villas offering complimentary COVID-19 antigen (rapid) testing to qualified guests include: Anse Chastanet; all five Bay Gardens properties; Calabash Cove Resort & Spa; Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel; Cap Maison Resort & Spa; Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa; Jade Mountain; Ladera Resort; Marigot Bay Resort and Marina; Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia; Serenity at Coconut Bay; Sugar Beach – A Viceroy Resort; Stonefield Villa Resort and Ti Kaye Resort & Spa. Additional properties in Saint Lucia are anticipated to roll out complimentary testing in the coming weeks. Restrictions may apply and visitors should check with their accommodation provider for details; select hotels are offering PCR tests to guests who meet qualifications.

Visit www.stlucia.org.

The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club

As part of the health and safety protocol "Embrace the New Normal,” The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club has integrated PCR tests and antigen tests for guests requiring a negative test to return to their country. With testing provided by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, as well as the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic, the rapid antigen test will be of no additional cost, while the regular PCR (48 to 72 hours) will be priced at $100 and express PCR (24 to 36 hours) will be priced at $150.

Visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pujwi-the-westin-puntacana-resort-and-club/.

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway in Puerto Vallarta started offering on-site COVID-19 testing in response to the requirement of PCR tests for all guests traveling to the U.S., Canada and other countries. Tests are available to all guests who may be required to take the PCR test. The Buenaventura Hotel Group, of which Villa Premiere is part, has an agreement with a certified laboratory, SANLOR Laboratorio, in order to make this new process as smooth as possible for its guests.

Appointments for COVID-19 testing can be made with the hotel’s concierge and will take place in a private location at the property or can be done at one of the four locations the laboratory has around the destination. A special price for the PCR test of 3,000 pesos (approximately $152) per test includes taxes. All test results have the corresponding certification by InDRE.

Visit www.premiereonline.com.