BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 11, 2020) – Delaware North has announced reopening dates for lodging that it operates at several national and state parks, as well as for hotels it owns and operates in national park gateways.
In addition, Delaware North announced it is implementing a comprehensive program in response to COVID-19.
The Rest Assured™ Commitment to Care program features new health and safety standards aimed at 
helping keep guests and employees safe. Delaware North has reengineered operating procedures to minimize contact risk and bolster hygiene protocols to meet or exceed best-practice guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We’re committed to delivering a safe and secure hospitality environment at the lodging we operate in and adjacent to the parks,” said Scott Socha, president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts division. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of guests and employees, and our The Rest Assured program is focused on that.”
Delaware North’s current reopening schedule for national park lodging it operates:
Grand Canyon National Park – Yavapai Lodge is reopening June 12 and is taking reservations. The lodge is a short walk or bus ride from the South Rim and steps away from the market, bank and post office at Grand Canyon Village. Yavapai Tavern’s outdoor dining is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Trailer Village RV park reopened June 6 and is taking reservations. www.visitgrandcanyon.com
Shenandoah National Park – The Skyland lodge and the Lewis Mountain Cabins reopen June 11, and Big Meadows Lodge reopens June 25. Accommodations are conveniently located along Virginia's scenic attraction, Skyline Drive. www.goshenandoah.com
Olympic National Park – Kalaloch Lodge, which features a Pacific Ocean-front lodge and cabins, is reopening June 12. www.thekalalochlodge.com
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – Wuksachi Lodge is tentatively scheduled to open June 19, but that date is subject to state and local guidelines. Grant Grove Market, Grant Grove Gift Shop and Lodgepole Market would also open at that time. www.visitsequoia.com
Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Blueridge Parkway is set to reopen June 24. The lodge offers scenic views and easy access to hiking, wineries, historic sites and museums. www.peaksofotter.com
Delaware North also owns and operates lodging in several national park gateways and iconic U.S. destinations:
West Yellowstone and Gardiner, Montana – Delaware North on May 29 reopened several lodging options near Yellowstone National Park: The Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone and Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, both in West Yellowstone, along with the newly rebranded Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone in Gardiner, a member of the Ascend® Hotel Collection. www.yellowstonevacations.com
The Ridgeline Hotel Estes Park in the Rocky Mountain National Park gateway town of Estes Park, Colorado, reopened May 29. Estes Park affords visitors shopping and restaurants, and the park is famous for its spectacular mountain vistas, hiking trails and wildlife. The hotel has been fully renovated in recent years and is a member of the Ascend® Hotel Collection. www.ridgelinehotel.com
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite in Fish Camp, California, near the south gate entrance to Yosemite National Park, reopens June 12. It will initially reopen guest rooms in the main lodge, with the reopening dates for the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya and cottage rooms to be determined. Jackalopes Restaurant & Bar and Harvest & Grounds Coffee and Deli will both be open with limited hours. The Tenaya Lodge bus tours into Yosemite National Park, including Yosemite Valley, will be available daily. www.TenayaLodge.com
The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River in Whitefish, Montana, near Glacier National Park, is reopening June 12. From the hotel, a member of the Ascend® Hotel Collection, guests can enjoy the restaurants and shops of Whitefish, kayaking on the river or taking the short drive to the vistas and magnificent scenery of the park. www.thepinelodge.com
Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, Mass., on Cape Cod, reopened June 8. The resort, which has been extensively renovated since 2017, features a private beach on the Atlantic Ocean and many other guest amenities. Located in Falmouth, Sea Crest is the ideal home base to explore Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. www.seacrestbeachhotel.com
Delaware North’s operations have reopened at several state parks:
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake reopened June 5. The lodge, adjacent to Geneva State Park in northeast Ohio, includes lodge rooms, two-bedroom cottages along the Lake Erie shoreline, the Horizons Restaurant and other amenities. www.thelodgeatgeneva.com
Honey Creek Resort at Honey Creek State Park reopened June 5. Located on the shore of Rathbun Lake, Iowa’s second largest lake, the resort features guest rooms, multiple-bedroom cottages, an RV park with campsite, an 18-hole championship links style golf course, a 42-slip marina and Rathbun Lake Aquapark. www.HoneyCreekResort.com
Delaware North on June 5 also reopened some of the retail and food concessions it operates at Niagara Falls State Park in Western New York. www.niagarafallsstatepark.com
For the Rest Assured program, Delaware North developed a new set of standards and procedures, which include:
- Ensuring our operating standards uphold current social distancing guidelines as directed by local and state regulators and in compliance with the CDC.
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols for all high-touch surfaces in common areas.
- Reduced capacity and limited hours of operation, where appropriate.
- Moving to a 48-hour cancelation policy across all properties – giving guests the assurance of a full refund prior to their planned stay, should circumstances change.
- Courtesy sanitation kits in guest rooms and removal of most communal objects such as throw pillows, alarm clocks, glass cups/mugs (replaced with disposables), etc.
- Bulk amenities replaced by single-serve amenities.
- Cleaning and sanitizing guest rooms prior to arrival, with housekeeping upon request thereafter.
- Most points of sale accept touchless mobile wallet payment options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and FreedomPay.
- Touchless sinks and soap dispensers in several restrooms.
- Hand-sanitizing stations located throughout properties.
In addition, Delaware North employees:
- Take a health check when they report to work.
- Sanitize their hands when they report to work and are required to wash and sanitize their hands frequently throughout the shift.
- Undergo a comprehensive Rest Assured Training Program.
- Wear face coverings while they are on duty.
About Delaware North
Delaware North is a global hospitality and entertainment company founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for more than 100 years. Delaware North operates at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, cultural landmarks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our associates are dedicated to delighting guests by creating the world’s best experiences. Delaware North serves millions of guests each year in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurant and catering, lodging, gaming, and specialty retail industries. Learn more about Delaware North at www.DelawareNorth.com.