Under the new cleaning regimes, all surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants and Marriott will also provide disinfecting wipes in guest rooms.

It is also rolling out new technologies including electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitise surfaces throughout its hotels.

The technology uses the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to treat known pathogens.

Marriott is also testing ultraviolet light technology for sanitising keys for guests.

New signage in lobbies will remind guests to maintain social distancing and hotels will remove or re-arrange furniture to allow more space for distancing.

Marriott is also evaluating adding partitions at front desks to provide an extra level of precaution and is working with supply chain partners to make masks and gloves available to staff.

More hand sanitising stations will be installed at entrances, near the front desk, lifts and in fitness and meeting spaces.

In addition, in over 3,200 of Marriott’s hotels guests can choose to use their phones to check in, access their rooms, make special requests and order room service that will be specially packaged and delivered without contact.

Announcing the initiatives, President and CEO Arne Sorenson said: “We are living in a new age, with COVID-19 front and centre for our guests and our associates. We want our guests to understand what we are doing today and planning for in the near future in the areas of cleanliness, hygiene and social distancing so that when they walk through the doors of one of our hotels, they know our commitment to their health and safety is our priority.”