A revamped Royal Palms Hotel will be reopening its doors in Hamilton next week after it closed in March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Theresa Harney-Zuill, the hotel’s general manager, said: “Although the lockdown and subsequent easing of restrictions have been a difficult time for everyone, the owners decided to make the best of it by undertaking some hotel improvements during closure. “Our returning guests will see a wide range of improvements with new soft furnishings, flooring, and furniture. While the envelope of the hotel retains its traditional ambience, we have continued to enhance our rooms to give them a crisp and modern feel.”The hotel is scheduled to reopen on Thursday. Ms Harney-Zuill said the hotel, on Rosemont Avenue, Pembroke, will stick to the highest levels of health and safety in line with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.Precautions will include increased cleaning and sanitisation of all public spaces, especially high-touch and heavy-traffic areas. Hand sanitisers will be placed around the property; and there will be no back-to-back usage of guest rooms to allow for a thorough clean.Staff members will also have their temperatures taken with an infrared thermometer when they arrive for work.Ms Harney-Zuill said: “Our beautiful, well-laid-out gardens allow us to provide accommodations spread throughout the property with rooms available in the main house, mews, and garden, allowing for comfortable physical-distancing.”She added Royal Palms also wanted to make booking reservations as stress free as possible.Ms Harney-Zuill said: “For all current and new bookings we are allowing cancellations up to 24 hours prior to arrival without loss of any prepaid deposits.”The hotel’s restaurant, Ascot’s, reopened on May 25 with al fresco dining and an expanded outdoor seating capacity to take advantage of the hotel’s lush garden setting and open veranda dining area.Ms Harney-Zuill said the restaurant, which won this year’s People’s Choice Award during Restaurant Weeks, will offer the winning three-course menu at a discounted price for a limited time along with discounted bar and wine prices.In a show of support for the island as it reopens and recovers, the hotel has also teamed up with other island businesses, including Hidden Gems and Fantasea Tours, to create new tour packages.Ms Harney-Zuill said: “Our employees are our most important asset and we would not be as successful as we are if it were not for their dedication and hard work. It has been our pleasure to support them through this difficult time and have them be able to return to work as soon as our occupancies increase. We look forward to the return of our valued guests and meeting our new visitors.”• For more information, follow Royal Palms Bermuda on Instagram and Facebook or sign up for their quarterly newsletters at www.royalpalms.bm