1.2 - Housekeeping Concepts
Types of rooms
As a housekeeper, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the different types of rooms available in the hotel. Each room type has its own unique features, amenities, and cleaning requirements. By understanding these distinctions, you will be better prepared to deliver exceptional service and maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. Here are some guidelines on the types of rooms commonly found in hotels:
Standard Rooms:
Standard rooms are the most common type of accommodation in a hotel. They typically offer essential amenities such as a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and a private bathroom. These rooms are usually designed for single or double occupancy and may have variations such as twin beds or a queen/king-size bed.
General Cleaning Guidelines:
- Clean and sanitize all surfaces, including furniture, mirrors, and countertops.
- Change the bed linens, pillowcases, and towels.
- Vacuum or mop the floor as required.
- as required. Ensure that the bathroom is thoroughly cleaned, including the toilet, sink, shower/bathtub, and fixtures.
Suite or Executive Rooms:
Suites are larger and more luxurious than standard rooms, often featuring separate living and sleeping areas. They may include additional amenities such as a mini-bar, kitchenette, dining table, and a seating area with comfortable chairs or a sofa.
General Cleaning Guidelines
Follow the same cleaning guidelines as for standard rooms, paying extra attention to the additional living areas.
Clean and dust all furniture, including tables, chairs, and sofas.
Pay attention to any kitchenette or dining area, ensuring that surfaces are wiped and sanitized.
Check that all appliances and electronic devices are in working order.
Connecting Rooms:
Connecting rooms are two separate guest rooms with a door in between, allowing guests to move easily between the two rooms. These rooms are popular among families or groups who prefer to have some privacy while staying close to each other.
General Cleaning Guidelines:
Treat each room as an individual unit, following the cleaning guidelines for the respective room type.
Ensure that the connecting door is clean and functional.
Coordinate with the front desk to ensure that both rooms are cleaned simultaneously for guest convenience.
Deluxe or Premium Rooms:
Deluxe or premium rooms are typically larger and offer additional amenities and enhanced decor compared to standard rooms. They may provide extra features such as a sitting area, mini-fridge, coffee maker, or a scenic view.
General Cleaning Guidelines:
Follow the same cleaning guidelines as for standard rooms, paying extra attention to the enhanced features and amenities.
Check that all additional amenities, such as the mini-fridge or coffee maker, are clean and in working order.
Pay special attention to maintaining the cleanliness and presentation of any scenic views or balconies.
Accessible or Special Needs Rooms:
Accessible rooms are designed to accommodate guests with disabilities or special needs. They feature wheelchair-accessible entrances, lower countertops, grab bars in the bathroom, and other accessibility features.
General Cleaning Guidelines:
Follow the cleaning guidelines for the respective room type, ensuring that the accessibility features are clean and functional.
Pay attention to any specific requirements or requests from guests with disabilities to ensure their comfort and convenience.
Remember, regardless of the room type, attention to detail, thoroughness, and a commitment to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene are essential. Adhering to the specific cleaning guidelines for each room type will help you deliver exceptional service, meet guest expectations, and contribute to an overall positive guest experience.
Rooms are also classified based on smoking or non-smoking rooms depending on the preference of the guests.
Rooms Bed Classifications:
- Single bed: One single bed for one guest.
- Double bed: One large bed accommodating two guests at one time.
- Single room: One room with a double bed accommodating two or one guest.
- Double room: For two guests with two single beds, two double beds or one double bed depending on the size of the room.
Bed Sizes:
Single or Individual bed
Double bed
Queen size bed
King size bed
Rooms Status:
- Occupied room: This room is occupied by guests.
- Checkout room: The guests have left this room and this room is ready to be cleaned.
- Vacant room: This room is ready to be occupied by a guest. There are two types of vacant room. Vacant clean which is ready to be occupied by a new guest. Vacant dirty which need to be cleaned and then will be ready to be occupied by a guest.
- Room out of order: This room need maintenance and should not be cleaned. The Maintenance department will check this room and once fixed it will notify the housekeeping supervisor.
- Reserved room: This room is reserved for a guest prior to their arrival.
- Stay over room: The guest in this room is not checking out today and they will be staying additional number of days.
- Late checkout room: This room the guest has requested late checkout. The guest will leave the room but after the regular check out hours (12:00 Noon)
- DND/Do not disturb: The guest requested not to be disturbed. So cleaning services will not be provided to this room until otherwise notified by the guest.
Different types of rooms and Cleaning times:
There are standard rooms which can be cleaned in 30 minutes, then there are suites or larger rooms which are estimated to be cleaned in 45 minutes. Hotels provide 8 hours of work to housekeepers depending on the type and number of rooms to clean in one day. In the morning the housekeeping supervisor will provide you with the list of the rooms which may include 10 or more rooms depending on the size of the rooms and 8 hours of shift.
Some hotels assign credit numbers to rooms. Standard rooms have one credit and bigger rooms have two credit or more depending on the hotels. Sometimes if the standard rooms are very dirty and take more than 30 minutes to clean, for these rooms more credit is assigned to compensate for the time spent in these rooms. In simple terms the very dirty standard room is calculated as one and half rooms or two rooms. Normally all your rooms will be located on two floors. If the rooms on your list are located on three floors the hotel will add one credit for you to compensate for the time going up and down. When you go to the hotel you ask them in every room how many credits each room has. Rooms with kitchen require more time and have more credit. Standard rooms are one credit.