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These Hotels Have the World's First Self-Cleaning Rooms

March 09, 2019
2 min read
Hotel-Ottilia-Suite_bedroom
These Hotels Have the World's First Self-Cleaning Rooms
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We've seen hotels with fingerprinting technology in lieu of key cards and robots that deliver room service, but now two boutique hotels in Copenhagen have become the world's first with self-cleaning rooms.

Hotel Ottilia, in Copenhagen's old Carlsberg brewery, and the industrial-chic Hotel Herman K are the latest properties from Brøchner Hotels, the brand that brought the boutique hotel trend to Denmark's capital when it debuted Hotel SP34. And while Brøchner has become known for its sleek Scandinavian design and trendy restaurants and bars, it's innovating even more with its eco-friendly cleaning technology.

Brøchner has partnered with ACT.Global to disinfect the rooms in Hotel Ottilia and Hotel Herman K with ACT CleanCoat, a sustainable long-term disinfectant. The invisible, odorless cleaning solution actively eliminates microbes such as ebola, E. coli, viruses, mold spores and allergens. It purifies the air for up to a year, removing noxious odors including cigarette smoke. CleanCoat's main ingredient is titanium dioxide, which is also found in sunscreen, and it's activated by sunlight.

The penthouse suite at Hotel Herman K. Image courtesy of Brøchner Hotels.

The product has passed more than 24 European norm tests and been recognized by many labs and research organizations, including Denmark's National Research Centre for the Working Environment.

"The technology is expensive, but we’ve reduced the labor load by 50 percent. It’s giving our staff a much easier day and reducing our water consumption," Karim Nielsen, CEO of Brøchner Hotels, told Bloomberg, estimating that each room costs approximately $2,500 to cover with CleanCoat.

Brøchner has been testing this technology for about two years already, first trying it out in their Hotel Astoria, where it reduced the microbial level to below what is required in hospital operating rooms while simultaneously increasing the air quality and reducing water consumption.

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But don't worry, the implementation of CleanCoat doesn't completely replace housekeeping staff. Housekeepers still tidy up the rooms and change the sheets and towels — they just don't have to use harsh chemicals like bleach anymore.

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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.