I agree that it is an otherwise good use of empty hotel rooms for people in quarantine but if you would have asked me a week ago about the situation here in Canada I would have said there was no need either. This thing moves fast, I hope Australia is spared the worst.

Also I still see some hotels that are staying open charging incredibly high rates, despite everything in them being closed (lounges, restaurants, pools/spa - which I totally understand that they are to be clear). If I was stuck somewhere then I'd rather have a 'cheaper' option like this.

Yes, I think it is a good initiative. I�ve read several reports of people having difficulty securing somewhere to self isolate due to refusals from accommodation providers. The food package is also very good idea - removes the temptation to go out to get food somewhere.

And just to be clear self-isolating when returning from overseas is no longer voluntary/by your own will - it is mandatory

A few thoughts.

This kind of advertising may also attract other people, not just those who want to isolate themselves. It's a health risk.

A hotel holiday and use of hotel services such as restaurants, swimming pools and saunas aren’t the most sensible option in this situation.

Those who need to self-isolate themselves probably understand contacting hotels directly if they want to use hotels for the isolation.

Why the hotel has to advertise the isolation by marketing bay views? What does it have to do with the isolation? Feels like it belittles the ongoing crisis.

If I had to spend two weeks in isolation, I'd rather have their bay views than a brick wall! Wouldn't you?

I'm quite lucky. I'm renting an apartment in an old(ish) block of flats, with lots of natural light (windows to the east, north and west). I'm on the fifth floor, so the view is quite nice too. I can even observe a couple of hooded crows building their nest on a tree right next to my office. Staying inside is not an issue.
I'm not sure I would be doing as well if I was forced to spend 2 weeks in a small room with no view whatsoever or a room overlooking a tiny patio.

Also, people are advised to ventilate their flats properly. It's really difficult to do in many hotels as the windows don't open. It shouldn't be a problem at this Novotel if each room has a balcony.

I have a hard time believing that the marketing team had fresh air in mind when creating the ad.

I wonder when do we see:

Self-isolate in Times Square (Novotel NY, they might also have fresh air now when there's less traffic and wind is blowing from the Hudson a few blocks away)

Self-isolate by the beach (applicable for many hotels, I would choose one in Bali)

Self-isolate in the doorstep of Eiffel Tower (one of the Parisian hotels)

etc.

You can't leave your room if you're under a mandatory self-isolation order, unless in an emergency.

So your suggestion is to not make it easy for people who need to self-isolate because there may be idiots out there who would choose to go to a hotel advertising a service to self-isolators without any regard to the risk to themselves.

Guess what anyone who acts like an idiot in the current situation isn't going to limit their idiocy to choosing to stay at a hotel full of self-isolators. They will be partying on the beach if given a chance. And as others have pointed out in self-isolating the environment in which you self-isolate is pretty important if someone is going to be stuck in a room for 2 weeks. A balcony and a nice view is relevant to the situation.

Next thing people will be criticising the advertising of afternoon and morning teas in the package - "under the circumstances the hotel should only be offering 2 plates of gruel a day"

I'm not judging anyone. Go ahead and book your 14 days self-isolation by the bay if it�s for you. It�s the style of the ad that I don�t particularly like. Makes fun out of the situation.

And God forbid that any individual or company should try to make the best of a difficult situation. We should all do our best to be miserable.
The ad is not advertising a Corona Virus Caipirinha. Its advertising a useful service, trying to maintain business and providing accurate information. Offering people benefits and a pleasant environment to stay at their hotel is hardly making fun of the pandemic.

I would be interested to know if anyone who is criticising the Novotel Brighton Beach in this thread is actually in the position of having to self-isolate and if so what way should a hotel get the message out regarding the service that they are offering. Should the ad say that the environment will be bleak? The food unpalatable? The room overlooking a construction site or carpark?

Or are those bagging the hotel for this offer actually totally unaffected by it and have no skin in the game?

I don�t see the issue here. The hotel is a business and no doubt they are trying to be innovative so they can keep as many of their employees employed

A colleague of mine has a son returning from Europe who has to isolate, but they have an elderly family member at home. She�s had to find a hotel here in Melbourne and there was no discounts offered.

Be kind people, if it doesn�t resonate with you just move on.

I have seen hotels jack up rates because they know people booking a hotel room will do so out of necessity and they are out of options and forced to pay high rates. That's the disgusting behavior.

If a Novotel offers reduced rates, they are actually doing the opposite of those disgusting hotels.

Somewhat related to this thread:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...et-coronavirus

Well, I have skin in the game ... if that's a thing .... washing hands now

We are both self isolating in Spain, ( Catalonia Area ) before the government lockdown. This is where we live 50% of the year, the rest was inn Accor / Hilton etc hotels.

We are both in a compromised immunity and age group.

We have enough food for a month or so - and pitchforks for when it gets nasty lol ( OH is a bit of a prepper - as we live in the countryside so supermarkets are always a big shop always have bought two of an item not just one ....)

All campsites / hotels / guesthouses etc are closed for the duration. You must have seen the news !

On the plus side can see lories moving on the motorway ( will get worried when they stop ).

Talk here of it lasting till June at the earliest.

Its the tone and substance of the advert. If they truly cared they would have donated beds / rooms for free to the local authority for its use. I feel that the area where the hotel is in is not taking this seriously. Its a game changer, and not in a good way.

Keep well and safe.