Updated: Hotel DuPont among the lodging establishments temporarily closed

1769
Advertisement

A number of hotels  have stopped taking reservations in northern Delaware,  as occupancy rates plummet due to the coronavirus pandemic. On the list is the historic Hotel duPont.

The Hotel duPont’s reservations page reported that the downtown hotel will remain closed until May 9.

The hotel has been undergoing renovations that include the former Green Room restaurant.

The recently opened Hyatt Place on the Wilmington Riverfront announced on its site that it will remain closed until April 30. The property is co-owned by the Big Fish Group, which operates the nearby Big Fish Grill and opened a banquet center in the hotel area.

Not accepting reservations for upcoming nights is the Sheraton South Hotel off I-95 in the New Castle area, although no statement has been made about its status. A reservations calendar does show the hotel offering rooms beginning in May.

Advertisement

“The hospitality industry in Delaware has felt the full impact of the COVID-19 crisis over the past two weeks, as hotel occupancies dropped rapidly from the 60-70 percent range to the five to 15 percent  range,” said Bill Sullivan, managing director of the Courtyard by Marriott, University of Delaware and a board member of the Delaware Hotel and Lodging Association. “The impact caused associate layoffs in every hotel. Some hotels are staying open with the reduced occupancy and others have chosen to close to await the return of travelers. The COVID-19 crisis has impacted all aspects of travel, such as corporate, leisure, groups, and special events (weddings). This is a drop in business unlike any other experienced by the industry. Our partners in the restaurant business have experienced the same tragic business impacts.” 

Sullivan continued, “We were encouraged by the passage of the CARES Act, the $2.2 trillion Federal stimulus bill in response to the COVID-19 crisis. We look forward to this helping our impacted associates and providing relief for our struggling business. We urge all Delawareans  to be safe and limit the spread of this deadly virus. We all look forward to better and safe travels.” 

Sullivan said the UD Courtyard is closed while previously scheduled renovations are completed.

Advertisement
Advertisement