Importance of Housekeeping in the Hotel Industry
Housekeeping is a critical part of any hotel. Strict cleanliness is an expected standard that has to be met. It's easy to assume that housekeeping only involves someone coming in to change the bedding and bring fresh towels. However, a housekeeper's duty is more than that. It includes checking on appliances, bringing items to guests as they need them and making sure guests are comfortable. In hotels, the major part of revenue comes from the rooms, so housekeeping is a top concern.
Thorough cleanliness is a basic expectation of any hotel guest. Housekeeping is critical for this very reason. A hotel can find themselves in a whirlwind of trouble if their hotel doesn't meet quality standards when it comes to being clean, depending on the state's regulations. Depending on the hotel, usually a housekeeper will go in and vacuum the floors, change bedding, provide fresh towels, clean the bathroom and tidy up. Additionally, housekeepers go in meeting rooms and other areas of the hotel to make sure everything is tidy. Emptying garbages throughout the hotel is also mandatory. Without a housekeeping team in place, a hotel would struggle with keeping clean.
Housekeepers can make sure everything is working for the next guest. For example, most hotel rooms come equipped with a refrigerator, television, coffee pot and a microwave. It's important to make sure all appliances are working for the next visit.
A hotel needs to attract repeat visitors in order to thrive. To do this, rooms should not only be cleaned, but appealing as well. Going for a theme in the rooms can boost the overall feeling and make a guest want to return. Even a basic color scheme will do. Placing some flowers on the table or desk in the room can also bring a smile to the guest's face. Making guests feel special and exceeding their expectations is essential.
Having a guest feel comfortable is the top priority. Between cleaning, making sure appliances are in working order and making the room decorated just enough to make guests feel special will provide the comfort they need. People go to a hotel for various reasons. Some people have no choice but to stay in a hotel for work when they would rather be home. No matter the reason a guest is staying, their visit should be positive and they should be able to feel comfortable enough to feel the "home-away-from-home" feeling.