Coping with Covid-19, Spring Cleaning Tips, Local Families Need Food.

Read about why we started a garden during coronavirus. Learn how you can help local families buy food. Some Airbnb hosts are providing accommodations to first responders.

Until We Are Back on The Mountain Top - Taylor Williams, CEO

I once had a mentor that told me “In order to appreciate the view from the mountain top, you must first endure the valleys.” We can easily say that this has been one of the most challenging circumstances we have endured as a country, community and company… For a moment, this valley seemed to be a deep one.

Although the effects of COVID-19 have shut down our borders, lead to the implementation of social distancing and curfews, we remain hopeful for the future of tourism in Bermuda. You may be asking yourself, how can you be so certain? My answer is simple, it is because we believe in you and your amazing hospitality.

In the short year since the creation of ELEVATE Host Services, we have met with you all individually and have heard many hosting stories, seen outstanding five star reviews and witnessed new friendships formed with guests. Your focus on traveller retention (whether you know it, or not) is the reason why we will see our overseas guests return when this wave passes. On behalf of our team, I would like to say thank you, as you are all amazing clients!

Although we have been a bit more quiet than usual, we wanted to let you know that our team is working diligently behind the scenes to update and promote your vacation rental on all platforms and ensure all of our policies and procedures are up-to-date. This is our way of being proactive as we predict that there will be an influx of travellers (all with cases of cabin fever) looking to escape to our beautiful country in the near future!

In closing, we may be social distancing and isolated, but we can get through this together. As a member of the ELEVATE family, we all have the common goal of providing great hospitality and amazing experiences to all of our guests. With this in mind, we will be able to enjoy the view from the mountain top soon enough.

Social Distancing Packages Postponed

In the last week we launched our ELEVATE Host Services store on Sargasso Sea App selling Relax Packages and Breakfast/Lunch Combo boxes. We are pleased to announce, to date six social distancing packages have been successfully delivered. These deliveries have allowed us to keep other small businesses going in the community and we thank all those who have supported.

Unfortunately, due to the announcement by the Bermuda Government yesterday, April 1st, 2020 regarding the island-wide lockdown effective Saturday April 4th 2020 we will be postponing further sales of Relax Packages. The lockdown will be difficult, especially on small businesses but is inevitably the best move to protect the lives in the community and prevent spread the of Covid-19.

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning

While it may feel like you are literally stuck in the house due to the impending lockdown. Now is the perfect time to clean the closet you’ve been neglecting the last few months, organize storage and freshen up your space.
Here a few useful tips on spring cleaning:

Focus on one room or space at a time - You may feel ambitious to purge your entire home at once but trust us aiming to complete everything at once will only lead to procrastination. By focusing on one room at a time you can set more realistic daily goals for yourself and avoid burnout.
Repurpose - In sorting through your junk drawer or closet you will come across loads of items that you may be inclined to throw away. Think about how you can re-use items in a different capacity or donate them to a neighbor or thrift shop who may find your items useful.
Create your happy place - With more of us spending increased amounts of time inside it is very important to enjoy being in your space. Is there a picture of your favourite vacation spot you can hang? Are there colours that make you feel cheerful?
Add greenery - Indoor plants are great additions to your home because they purify the air, improve humidity and can also improve memory.
Relax - Find a way to make spring cleaning fun. Throw on your favourite album or treat yourself after you reach your goal.

What’s new. . .

Airbnb houses COVID-19 responders

Globally Airbnb hosts are opening their vacation rentals to first responders, medical practitioners and front line workers. Hosts have the option to provide accommodations for free or have Airbnb waive the fees.

Please note: ELEVATE Host Services realizes that many of our homeowners live on or in close proximity to their vacation rental property which is why we have not pushed the Airbnb message to provide accommodations for frontline workers. Your health and safety as our clients is our main priority. Instead, we are suggesting to make a donation to overseas Airbnb hosts housing responders.

However, if you are interested in hosting front line workers please read more here

Help Support Local Families by Donating to Eliza Doolittle Society.

Over 4,000 community members in Bermuda now require assistance with groceries and the list is only growing. The Director of Eliza Doolittle, April Augustus, is asking for those who are able to give monetary donations to please transfer directly to the account below. Food donations are accepted however financial contributions are encouraged help to avoid duplicates in inventory and a lack of storage space. See account details below.

The Eliza DoLittle Society
BNTB 2000 6060 20757 0100

Gardening During Coronavirus by Thoshlae Williams

The first day I broke the ground I wasn't sure how long this gardening hobby was going to last. My back and hands started to hurt. I immediately developed a respect for farmers (Those who work hard year-round to provide the world with food). After an hour, the pain went away and the physical activity made me feel good.

For weeks, I had been watching my uncle and cousin work their garden planting greens, broccoli, tomatoes, onions and way too many cooking herbs to mention. As a kid, I remember helping my nana water her vegetables and seeing my great grandfather harvest corn, green beans and many other vegetables I probably didn't enjoy eating at the time.

In my mind I thought didn't know what I was doing at all. However, I am realizing subconsciously I have been groomed to garden all my life.

They say there are many benefits to gardening and being close to nature. Physical activity, working with your hands, and memory enhancement to name a few.

For me, I am most excited to harvest the fruits of my labour (If the sparrows leave my zucchini alone).

My advice is to start a garden with a few veggies or if you don't have space for a garden plant some herbs (Parsely, Basil, curry) are delicious! Ditch the frozen foods and lets live off the land (Or our gardening pots for now). :)