We have all stayed in accommodation where the room… was left in a less-than-desirable state. Knowing the dissatisfaction of staying in a room that is not clean, the condition of your property should be one of your top priorities if you want to experience long-term success. In fact, more than 85% of guests cite cleanliness as their main focus when reading reviews. Slipping up in this respect can pose a real threat to your business. That is why this blog will try to make sure you have all bases covered. Let’s explore everything you need to know about mastering your housekeeping.
WHAT IS HOUSEKEEPING AT YOUR HOTEL?
Housekeeping is about presenting a clean, sanitary, and welcoming environment, putting your brand’s best foot forward at all times. Never mind fancy amenities or attractions, you need to ensure your guests feel comfortable first and foremost.
Housekeeping in a hotel essentially comes down to being an invisible task. If a guest never raises a complaint about the condition of their room or their service, then you have got your housekeeping right. In a way, housekeeping is about making a guest feel like they are checking into a room that’s being stayed in for the very first time – it’s ‘their’ room.
This does not just happen – it takes strategy, planning, great execution, and communication. You cannot afford for rooms not to be ready in time, to be under-prepared, or overlooked by mistake.
HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The main responsibility of anyone performing housekeeping duties is to ensure there is no evidence of previous guests, and that every room is completely clean from top to bottom. This includes the room itself, the bathroom, and any wardrobe or storage areas.
A general routine is to strip the room first, removing anything that is dirty or has been used. No one wants to check into a room that has a wet bath towel hanging on the rack!
Next, you should do an inventory check to ensure all items that need replacing are gathered before the next guest arrives. Commonly, you’ll need to replace all the free goodies you have provided in the room as well as towels and linen.
After this, you should be ready to clean. Ensure you have all your supplies readied and bring everything into the room together. This will save plenty of time.
Once the room has been thoroughly cleaned, put all the new items into place. Do a final check to make sure the arriving guest has everything they need and was promised upon their booking
HOUSEKEEPING TIPS AND TRICKS
Strategy is important in all walks of life. Sure people can become successful through luck, but generally, it helps to be prepared. Housekeeping is no exception.
You need to know your rooms and amenities inside out to be an efficient housekeeper. You need to know how long it takes to completely turn a room over. This way you can calculate, based on how many rooms you have, how much time each day should be dedicated to housekeeping – and how many people. Once you’ve worked this out, you can set up an effective routine and schedule according to guest check-in/check-out times.
Pay close attention to inventory management too – Are there ways you can save time or money when it comes to room supplies? For example, reducing the selection of snacks if most guests seem to prefer particular options over others.
Most of all your housekeeping should be governed by three principles: prioritization, preparation, and sustainability.