Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced its 500 nominated winners of its global campaign #SLHFORHEROES, rewarding 1,000 room nights to those on the frontline who have supported their communities through the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
The #SLHFORHEROES campaign recognised those that went above and beyond to help others during the Coronavirus outbreak. Winners, chosen on the merit of their nomination by the SLH team and an external judge, Steven King, Editor-at-Large Condé Nast Traveller (UK), have each been rewarded with a two-night stay at one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties. With over 520 hotels in more than 90 countries, SLH offers the opportunity to experience countryside retreats, beach resorts, cities and historic locations, subject to travel restrictions.
Winners have done everything from ensuring the livelihood of affected local communities; isolated from families to ensure they remain protected whilst fulfilling their duties; delivering supplies to the vulnerable and shielding; to people working for the government job retention scheme transferring to supporting in A&E as healthcare assistants at weekends; not forgetting those doctors and nurses who contracted the virus while caring for patients, who returned as soon as fit to do so.
A selection of Heroes’ stories:
Alladi Mahadevan, India: “Because of the lockdown, hundreds of tons of watermelon crop lay wasted on the fields while farmers starved. Mahadevan arranged for a whole marketing and delivery system for individual buyers in Chennai city to order watermelons, and then delivered them, providing multiple livelihoods to needy people, preventing colossal waste of food, and connecting urban buying power to farmer families.”
Ruth Fe Marie Butalid, Philippines: “My sister, single mom of a 3 year old girl, used to be in corporate, now farms daily in our home vegetable farm and gives the produce to those who lost jobs and need food within our village in the Philippines.”
Stephanie Tan, Singapore: “Stephanie is a flight attendant who is a loving mum to a pair of beautiful twins and a caring wife. During this Covid-19 pandemic, flight attendants lose 70% of their income. Despite having to monitor one of her daughter’s medical condition, she volunteers at a local hospital in Singapore to help elderly patients. God bless her kindness.”
Jean Bernard Maurice Deojee, Australia: “During Covid-19 many services for homeless people shut down. Bernard kept his centre open and increased dinner, food hamper and cafe services for the homeless and stranded. For some this is the only meal they eat that day. He also paid the school fees of students who had lost their jobs.”
In addition to the two nights, winners will further unlock additional hidden extras once their reservation is confirmed at a participating hotel. These extras, generously donated by SLH hotels in support of the campaign, include spa treatments, airport transfers, surfing lessons, private tours, dinners and extra nights.
Richard Hyde, Managing Director of Small Luxury Hotels of the World says: “We are immensely heartened by the stories told by members of the public on behalf of their nominees. There really is an enormous sense of gratitude for those around the world who have worked tirelessly in the face of the pandemic. We are delighted that the campaign attracted so many nominations on a global scale – winners spanned 33 countries worldwide with 25% coming from the Asia-Pacific. From frontline health workers through to delivery drivers and the army of charity workers and volunteers supporting the elderly, homeless and disadvantaged, these outstanding individuals have put their lives on the line every day and we hope these nights and special escapes provides them with the break they deserve”.
“It was a pleasure to support SLH on such a worthwhile campaign. I enjoyed reading the moving and uplifting stories of so many remarkable men and women. Judging the final list was difficult but each of the 500 individuals on the SLH for Heroes winners’ list is entirely deserving. And there are thousands – hundreds and hundreds of thousands – of others like them around the world. Good people doing extraordinary things at a time of tremendous difficulty.” Steven King, Editor-at-Large Condé Nast Traveller (UK).
SLH unites a desirable community of independently minded travellers with independently spirited hotels around the world. Caring for the community and considerate travel are at the heart of the SLH ethos, providing luxury experiences in a unique way within a safe environment.
