My wife and I weren't incredibly nervous about traveling over the Fourth of July weekend—we'd had months to practice all the protocols and raise our awareness about navigating our surroundings safely. We were confident that the companies, government agencies and communities along the way were likewise mindful of the need for safety. 

We did spend time thinking about how to pack, though. We thought about how to comply with the new traveling protocols and then prepare for what the resort might be like when we arrived. As seasoned Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare Owners, we expected things would be different, and wondered if new travel expectations would put a damper on the trip. 

We had already canceled a summer birthday trip to Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Las Vegas, and an overseas vacation in England. When the air seemed to clear a bit, we decided to take a trial trip for a long Independence Day weekend. 

   

Ready, Set, Travel         

We set our sights on Sunrise Lodge, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, in Park City, Utah. Located at the foot of Canyon Village ski slopes, with just a short drive north to Olympic Park and a hop and a skip away from Park City’s Main Street Historic District, this resort is ideal for exploring the area.

And explore we did. 

I'll digress for a moment to say that we found incredible views, world-famous art museums and an impressive food scene. 

As expected, getting through airport security, waiting at the gates, boarding and seating all involved wearing masks. Whether in the airport, the airplane or picking up the rental car, masks were mandatory, except when eating or drinking.

From the Salt Lake City airport, we took I-80 up through the mountain passes, then winding up Canyon Village to Sunrise Lodge. It was a beautiful evening drive. 

What We Found On Arrival

The team members were as welcoming as ever, and all were donning masks. Moreover, the valets wore latex gloves while handling the car keys, and the check-in and concierge desks each had plexiglass shields. 

The new enhanced cleaning protocols at Hilton Grand Vacations mean you find large hand sanitizer bottles conveniently located at main entrances. There are also signs to encourage elevator etiquette. As an example, only single-family groups should ride elevators together. 

   

The door to our room had a Hilton CleanStay™ "seal," or a sticker that housekeeping uses to indicate that nobody had accessed the room since they cleaned and sanitized it—very reassuring. Aside from check-in, it was comforting to see elevated safety standards throughout our stay.      

Like the next morning, when we picked up the car from the valet. They had placed a plastic bag over the driver seat while moving the vehicle. I also noticed that each time we received the car that weekend, they wiped down the steering wheel, shift and door handle as they exited the vehicle. 

Out And About in Park City         

Downtown was very similar, and the vast majority of visitors were wearing masks, even on Park City Main Street. All servers and staff at the various restaurants and coffee shops wore    masks and gloves and, again, plenty of hand sanitizer around.     

   

Social distancing was encouraged at every stop. Restaurants that had booths, for example, hung plastic shields between them. My wife thoroughly enjoyed our first experience in Park City, from the top of Bald Mountain to the Jordanelle Reservoir's shores. We felt welcome and safe.

Indeed, it's a different time to travel, and where you decide to travel during COVID is a personal choice. Still, with some pre-planning, awareness en route and trusting our hosts to keep us safe along the way, my wife and I plan to continue enjoying our Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare. Our biggest concern is where we're headed next.  

Read This Before You Decide Travel and Social Distancing Can't Co-Exist for more travel tips from the experts.