Hospitality and Hotel housekeeping

Examples of University Progression

Awarding Body

Qualification

Course Details

Housekeeping is often overlooked but is in fact a very important department within the hotel as the team members are the key people ensuring that guests have a comfortable overnight stay. Most of the time spent at a hotel is often in the bedroom and therefore customer expectations will be high. Housekeeping is usually the largest department in the hotel, with many different roles and potentially good career opportunities. Room attendants can become self-checkers, then a floor supervisor, after that an assistant housekeeper and eventually an executive housekeeper. The housekeeping department offers a variety of services to meet different types of customers’ needs, such as turn-down service, providing extra beds for children, or offering dry cleaning or laundry services, as well as bedrooms being fitted with quality guest amenities and essentials. Different methods are often put in place to ensure quality standards are achieved and maintained in housekeeping. These include systems such as checklists, frequency schedules, mystery guest visits and AA inspections.As the housekeeping department is responsible for all the bedrooms and public areas, effective planning is one of the most important tasks carried out by the executive housekeeper. Planning could include anything from creating a division of work document to planning frequency cleaning schedules. Planning is often closely linked to purchasing as there is so much to order for the housekeeping department. It is important not to run out of stock, and therefore cleaning agents and guest essentials are ordered on a regular basis. The housekeeping employees deal with many different cleaning agents and should be aware of how to use them. They will also have access to different cleaning equipment and should be trained on the methods for their use. Some hotels have an in-house linen and laundry facility, whilst other hotels may decide to outsource this department. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and it very much depends on the type and size of hotel as to which option is most suitable.Housekeeping team members need to be aware of the different laws affecting their department, especially when it comes to fire legislation and health and safety requirements. Most housekeeping team members are exposed to potential health and safety risks as a result of handling cleaning agents, which may be dangerous, and moving heavy furniture or cleaning equipment whilst carrying out housekeeping tasks. Therefore, important health and safety procedures need to be in place, such as having safety data sheets for each cleaning agent, access to personal protective equipment and an understanding of manual handling procedures. The housekeeping department can make a real difference when it comes to reducing the impact on the environment.

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