Buzz

A Boston hotel is offering UV disinfection against COVID-19 for guests, but it comes at a price.

By Christopher Muther Globe Staff,Updated October 14, 2020, 12:00 p.m.

Anthony Melchiorri, creator of the television show “Hotel Impossible” and founder of the hotel management and consultancy group Argeo Hospitality, said the add-on robot layer of protection almost gives the appearance of a hotel asking “Would you like a fire extinguisher in your room?” or “Would you like a room with a sprinkler system?” for an up-charge.

“It feels like a counterintuitive move,” Melchiorri said. “This is a time when hotels need to be drawing customers back, and no one likes an extra charge.”

Melchiorri of “Hotel Impossible” is a spokesman for another robot called CIRQ+CLEAN. Unlike Vi-Yo-Let, CIRQ+CLEAN robots dispense a disinfectant through electrostatic spray. It’s the same procedure that airlines have been using. Electrically-charged cleaning fluid is sprayed, which envelopes and sticks to surfaces. When guests check out, the robot is brought in to clean the room before the cleaning staff arrives. The robot was introduced last month and has yet to be adopted for use by any major hotels.