An increasing number of hotels hope to address poor air quality and improve overall health by installing air purifiers in guest rooms. From Shanghai to San Francisco, filtration and purification systems are at work in hotel rooms to rid the air of pollutants, pollen and pet hair so that guests can breathe easy.
An increasing number of hotels have introduced air-purification systems to their rooms. Image by Getty
Last month, the InterContinental San Francisco announced plans to test out devices from air purification company Molekule in 30 guest rooms of the 556-room four-star hotel. In a four-month trial running until May, staff will monitor the system and participating guests can log the details of their sleep and breathing experience before and after their stay.
Shanghai’s Cordis Hongqiao is a high-end hotel that offers guests filtered air. The hotel claims that the air inside the hotel is generally 10 times cleaner than outside. According to a recent study from Greenpeace, air pollution as measured by PM2.5s (small particles of air pollution) increased 9% year-on-year in Shanghai. In Cordis Hongqiao, the air that enters the hotel is filtered, while double-glazed windows remain closed to seal the fresh air inside. Pollution monitors are fitted in all 396 guest rooms and TV screens display information about air quality inside and out.
Shanghai is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Image by Getty
Meanwhile, the hotel wellness company Pure Wellness has designed “Pure Rooms,” in 300 hotels globally, including Marriott, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites and Hyatt. The certified “Pure Rooms” are designed for asthma and allergy sufferers. Rooms are treated with plant-based cleaners to remove bacteria and other irritants and are fitted with hypoallergenic bedding, while advanced water and air-filtration systems are installed throughout.
“While purified air represents a very important element of a certified Pure Room, at Pure Wellness we take a more holistic view of health and wellness in hotel guest rooms by including services, treatments, and amenities that create a comprehensive hypoallergenic environment and allergy-friendly bedding, among other benefits,” Larry Hall, CEO of Pure Wellness, told Lonely Planet Travel News.
Hotels are getting in on the clean air market. Image by freemixer/Getty Images
Last year, the World Health Organisation reported that 91% of us are breathing in harmful air. A 2017 study from Harvard’s Centre for Health and the Global Environment found improved ventilation in the workplace led to better sleep quality and fewer symptoms of sickness among staff, while also improving their cognitive performance.
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