COVID-19 Updates

Stay Small, Stay Safe, Stay Inn

The Christopher Dodge House has always been committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. As Rhode Island and the City of Providence enter Phase 3 of reopening, we want to make sure you feel comfortable about your stay at our bed and breakfast.

Since we’re a small property, that means less guests, hence the phrase Stay Small, Stay Safe, Stay Inn! Below are some of the the new protocols that we have put in place, to help put your mind at ease.

Travel Restrictions

Rhode Island Department of Health requires all out-of-state visitors to complete this certificate of compliance with out-of-state travel quarantine/testing requirements and out-of-state travel screening form upon arriving in Rhode Island. We will provide the certificate of compliance to our guests upon check-in.

If you are traveling to Rhode Island from one of these states with a COVID-19 positivity rate of higher than 5%, you must quarantine for 14 days and self-monitor for symptoms.

As an exception, you may provide proof of a negative test for COVID-19 that was taken within 72 hours before arriving in Rhode Island.

RIDOH recommends that people get tested for COVID-19 in their home state, if possible.

For more details, please visit the RIDOH website.

Check-in, Check-out, and Guest Expectations

Our check-in process will be in person (masked with a smile in our eyes) while keeping a 6’ distance. If you would prefer a self check-in, please let us know.

Guests will be given a verbal tour in the lobby and directions to their room.

All guests are required to wear face coverings while inside common areas of the building at all times.

Guests are responsible for maintaining 6 feet of social distance between other guests and staff members by all means possible.

Check-out will be contactless. Upon departing, we ask guests to leave the key in the doorknob of their room or the key basket on the office door. A receipt will be emailed to you.

Guests who are experiencing or have been exposed to another person with any symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 14 days should contacts us to reschedule their stay for a later date.

Enhanced Housekeeping

We are using disinfectants and sanitizers approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization

Guest rooms will not receive daily housekeeping service unless requested. We are happy to provide you with fresh towels or other rooms amenities by request.

Gloves and masks will be worn by our staff while cleaning rooms.

Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer is provided throughout the property.

Weather permitting, we will leave windows open in between stays to increase air flow and sunshine.

Guest rooms will be vacant for 24 hours in between stays.

We’ve increased the overall frequency of cleaning and sanitizing common areas.

Food & Beverage Service

In efforts to practice social distancing, guests will be asked to sign up for a breakfast time slot upon arrival.
- Monday-Friday: 7:30AM-8:30AM or 8:30AM-9:30AM
- Saturday & Sunday: 8:00AM-9:00AM or 9:00AM-10:00AM

We will be offering 2 hot breakfast options along with the continental. Masks are to be worn while picking up your breakfast tray in the dining room.

Guest may enjoy their breakfast in either the dining room (tables are spaced accordingly), the sitting room, outdoor patio area, or of course, in their room. We are requesting no more than 5 guests in these public areas at one time.

All snacks and beverages are individually wrapped and served in a fashion that prevents unnecessary touching.

The use of our Keurig and hot water kettle are available for guest use 24 hours a day. We have provided disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer to be used before and after use.

A Healthy Workplace

Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times. Disposable gloves will be worn while handling food.

Staff are responsible for maintaining 6 feet of social distance between other staff members and guests by all means possible.

Continue to practice frequent hand washing and sanitizing especially when in contact with guests and their personal belongings.

Staff will monitor their own health and temperature checks.

Updated: September 17, 2020

Hospitality industry faces new challenge with travel restrictions

August 6, 2020 7:27 pm

Jordan Mazza

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Visitors to Rhode Island are now subject to new rules, and it’s adding to challenges for small businesses in the hospitality industry.

Monica Hopton has been an innkeeper at the Christopher R. Dodge House Bed and Breakfast in Providence for about 18 years.

She says this would normally be one of their peak times.

“Slammed,” Hopton said. “Busy, busy, busy. Six to seven days a week, busy.”

But without summer events and families moving students in for school, it’s looking quiet.

“Tonight I just have a couple rooms,” she said. “Unfortunately all the events they were scheduled to come to have been cancelled.”

And now, another challenge: the governor is requiring that overnight visitors to Rhode Island present a negative COVID test or quarantine for 14 days.

Hopton says it will likely discourage some visitors.

“Our business depends on people coming through and enjoying our state,” she said, “And if not, then we just have to wait it out.”

The governor says hotels can turn away guests who fail to comply, but Hopton doesn’t see that happening, because she tries to explain the rules over the phone first.

“We don’t have people unbeknownst just show up, and have to deal with that,” she said.

The innkeeper is optimistic that staying diligent about safety protocols will reduce the current spike enough to roll back some of the travel restrictions.

“This week we’re in the corona doghouse, but maybe next week it’ll change,” she said. “Pray that there’s a light, and there will be.”

Hopton adds they’re now offering live music performances at the Christopher Dodge House to help motivate potential guests to book a stay.