Hotels bounce back, but aren’t quite ‘normal’ yet

The parking lot of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is mostly empty on Wednesday in Columbus. The Fairfield Inn and the Courtyard across the parking lot have combined operations. About 80 percent of guests are staying in the Courtyard and 20 percent are staying in the Fairfield Inn. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Coty Seabrooks works on his laptop on Wednesday in the lobby at Wingate by Wyndham in Columbus. The pool and gym are both closed to guests due to COVID-19, and instead of a breakfast buffet guests are offered to-go breakfast bags. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Dave Nicholas walks to his car on Wednesday outside the Courtyard by Marriot in Columbus. Nicholas was in town on business and it was his first time staying in a hotel since the pandemic began. He described the hotel as “sadly empty.” Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

The Courtyard by Marriott is reflected in the window of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Columbus. Due to COVID-19, Marriott suspended operations at the Fairfield Inn, meaning their front desk is run through the Courtyard lobby. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff