News Article coronavirus Ghelamco hotel Poland Warsaw
by Property Forum | Hotel

The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI) has confirmed that the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express Warsaw - The HUB and conference centre located in The Warsaw HUB complex have been awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating. They are the first hotels in Europe to receive this certification. Since July last year, nearly 12 thousand objects all over the world have been trying to obtain this certification. As a result, the entire complex of The Warsaw HUB meets the stringent security requirements against COVID-19.


In practice, the certificate means that the hotel guests are guaranteed maximum epidemiological safety due to special procedures concerning their stay in the facility, cleaning processes and ensuring adequate safety in terms of indoor air exchange or special emergency and building operation recovery procedures.

"We are very pleased that the entire complex of The Warsaw HUB meets the rigorous WELL Health-Safety Rating. This proves that the safety of building users is one of our priorities. I am proud that our hotel is one of the first in Europe with this certification. It is a huge success and I congratulate everyone who contributed to it", says Jeroen van der Toolen, Ghelamco's Managing Director for Central and Eastern Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of buildings and the people who operate and manage them in supporting human health, safety, and well-being. It was confirmed that COVID-19 transmission occur mainly in indoor areas where people spend about 90% of their time.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, independently verified rating program for all types of new and existing buildings, designed to help companies prepare their offices, shopping centers, hotels and even warehouse facilities to reopen and function in the postcovid reality.

"We are pleased and proud to be certified as the first hotel in Europe. Today's hotel guests pay special attention to intangible values aimed at improving their well-being and health. I am convinced that such a recognition not only makes the investment more attractive but also the service product itself", explains Marcin Szymfel, General Manager of Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express Warsaw hotels.

Created by IWBI, the WELL Health-Safety Rating for buildings is based on guidelines developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency management agencies, and recognized organizations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, as well as leading academic and research institutions. IWBI used the analyses of its COVID-19 Task Force to help business and real estate leaders integrate useful insights and proven strategies in the fight against coronavirus.

SWECO is responsible for supporting the Ghelamco team and coordinating the WELL Health-Safety Rating certification process for the entire Warsaw HUB complex.