Which is cleaner a timeshare or a hotel?

[rainbow4jd]

I travel for a living. Last year I had 166 hotel nights associated with my business travel. With the Coranavirus epidemic, I've implemented a few personal "cleaning" actions. For example, I travel with or buy disinfectant wipes and immediately wipe down all light switches, handles, fridge handles, toilet handles/seat, door locks, chair airms, and flat work surfaces. (Note: that's about five wipes as I try not to cross contaminate).

I also own five time shares and that got me thinking about "odds of getting sick" in a timeshare vs hotel room.


Presumption of exposure by a guest who brings in and leaves germs.
Hotel: 365 potential hits max (a different guest each night of the year
Timeshare (Weeks) 52 potential hits max (a different guest each week of the year)

Presumption of exposure by a cleaning person who brings in and leaves germs
Hotel: 365 potential hits max (room is cleaned each day)
Timeeshare (Weeks) 52 potential hits presuming a weekly clean between guests

Presumption of variable exposure by a cleaning person who cleans multiple rooms at a location
Hotel: 365 x # rooms / # of cleaners (Example a 100 room hotel - 25 rooms, 4 stories - 4 cleaners would have a hit factor of 365 x 100/4 = 9,125
Timeshare (Weeks) 52 x # rooms / # of cleaners (Example a 105 unit TS - 15 rooms, 7 stores - 4 cleaners would have a hit factor of 52 X105/4 = 1,365

Presumption of exposure by guest mingling (i.e. breakfast areas)
Hotel: If breakfast is provided then 365 days x # of rooms (not to mention actual number of guests)
Timeshare (Weeks) breakfast not usually provided OR at least option to do breakfast on your own

Presumption of exposure by activities or amenities
Hotel: Pool, gym, etc. etc. 365 x # rooms
Timeshare (Weeks) 52 x # rooms

Presumptions of Lifestyle
Hotel: Reduced ability to cook for yourself (less exposure to other people)
Timeshare: Increased ability to cook for yourself (Note: presumption of less grocery trips and occassional eat out vs 100% eat out)

Presumption of cleaning capabiities of staff:
Equal cleaning capabilites between hotel staff and timeshare staff

Summary opinion:
It would be my personal opinion that timeshare stays would be less likely to expose you to a contagious virus than would hotel stays. That's not saying, that either are good or bad in terms of sanitation and cleaning actions. Only that on a comparative basis, there would be less opportunity for exposure to germs at a timeshare than a hotel. In either case, if the person before you were infected - it's probably an equal chance. The odds are really more about numbers of people bringing something into the timeshare or hotel. Hotels touch more people, and have more common areas (often), thus, more opportunity for exposure.

PS Or perhaps I'm just justifying my upcoming May 23rd check-in at Fantasy Island II in Daytona Beach.

 

[Passepartout]

I think you'd have to take each on an individual case. While I appreciate the mental gymnastics of trying to extrapolate the number of fingers, hands, etc on all possible surfaces. That said, I LIKE your regimen of wiping down all 'touchy' surfaces and objects. I may implement that myself.

 

[alwysonvac]

It varies. Some of us have been cleaning stuff for years (timeshares, hotel rooms, cruise staterooms, airline seating area, etc).

Here are some old threads

Do you rewash all the kitchen items, what about the coffee pot or kettle? (2020 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/d...s-what-about-the-coffee-pot-or-kettle.300557/

Flu...anyone traveling and taking extra precautions? (2018 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/flu-anyone-traveling-and-taking-extra-precautions.268899/

Do you wash dishes in TS before use? (2010 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/do-you-wash-dishes-in-ts-before-use.130241/

Don't Drink From Those Glasses! (2007 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/dont-drink-from-those-glasses.58021/

 

[OutSkiing]

I have to agree there is less 'social distancing' in a Hotel than a Timeshare.
We're still planning to keep our trip to the Wyndham Smokie Mountain timeshare in a week. We're considering it a bit of a 'quarantine' even though none of us is sick. Bringing lots of food and intend to eat in quite a bit.

Bob

 

[rainbow4jd]

It varies. Some of us have been cleaning stuff for years (timeshares, hotel rooms, cruise staterooms, airline seating area, etc).

Here are some old threads

Do you rewash all the kitchen items, what about the coffee pot or kettle? (2020 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/d...s-what-about-the-coffee-pot-or-kettle.300557/

Flu...anyone traveling and taking extra precautions? (2018 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/flu-anyone-traveling-and-taking-extra-precautions.268899/

Do you wash dishes in TS before use? (2010 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/do-you-wash-dishes-in-ts-before-use.130241/

Don't Drink From Those Glasses! (2007 thread) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/dont-drink-from-those-glasses.58021/

Thanks for those links. We always run the dishwasher when we check in. Thereafter, since it's usually my wife and myself - we hand wash the few dishes we actually use in the sink.

 

[dioxide45]

Many times when staying in a timeshare, we won't see other people when we are coming or going, only around the pool and common areas. People generally don't get up close and no one ever wants to set up their pool chair right beside someone. So lots of social distancing was always practiced around the pool. I would seem to agree that the risks at a timeshare are lower, but the risks are still there regardless.