The reputation of a hotel depends on the upkeep of high-quality services. Hoteliers must be ready to face a variety of common hotel maintenance issues, which may negatively impact service quality. It can be challenging to cover all the bases – from maintenance works, housekeeping, cleaning, and the like – especially if hotel staff are unprepared.

To keep your guests satisfied and maintain a remarkable reputation, plan ahead. Employ the following solutions to challenges in hotel housekeeping.

7 Smart Ways to Combat Hotel Housekeeping Problems

1. Create a comprehensive inventory maintenance system

Problems targeted: Supply shortages, excess waste, overstocking

Supply shortages are a hotelier’s nightmare, especially during peak seasons. A robust inventory maintenance system will help staff track the movement of supplies, as well as the demand. Staff will be able to make bulk purchases for items that are in high demand. This is also good practice for efficient cost management.

2. Follow dedicated cleaning checklists per area

Problems targeted: Lapses in cleaning process, sanitation shortcomings

Although cleaning checklists are already fundamental for housekeeping staff, it would be best to tailor each list to specific areas of the hotel. For example, the lobby cleaning checklist should include wiping the entrance doors, windows, and glass panels to eliminate smudges. The gym checklist must cover cleaning and disinfecting the gym equipment, mats, and the like.

3. Conduct preventive and routine maintenance checks

Problems targeted: Facility upkeep, broken equipment, faulty elevators, maintenance of electrical, fire alarm, HVAC, computer, and telephone system maintenance, plumbing issues, internet line disruptions

To avoid common hotel maintenance issues, it is best to perform consistent checks around the establishment. There are two kinds of maintenance checks you should do:

Routine Maintenance

Hotels typically undergo routine maintenance activities such as changing and supplying clean hotel linens, preparing rooms for guest turnover, restocking, and daily cleaning. This can also include work that has to be carried out weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly depending on hotel operations.

Preventive Maintenance

To minimize the chances of hotel housekeeping problems cropping up, preventive maintenance should be performed. It is the practice of sorting out small issues before they escalate to bigger problems. This can be scheduled weekly or monthly, but is not usually performed as often as daily tasks.

Some maintenance works require specially trained personnel to perform, such as HVAC, electrical, lighting, and building maintenance. Besides being knowledgeable in specialized fields, these professionals can encourage accountability among hotel staff, as well as provide professional feedback on challenges in hotel housekeeping. 

4. Periodic health, safety, and sanitation training

Problems targeted: Poor sanitation, cleanliness issues, food safety

By providing occupational safety and health training, the hotel management can ensure that staff are updated and can carry out best practices. This is beneficial for preventing infections and the spread of diseases, especially during flu or virus seasons, which is part of the prime hotel housekeeping problems.

Peak times, where guests arrive in large volumes at the hotel, also require extra sanitary measures for the safety of all guests and staff. Additionally, exercise regular pest control to prevent damage to furnishings and maintain a healthy environment for guests.

5. Regularly communicate advisories and updates

Problems targeted: Lack of available facilities, unexpected changes to operating hours, miscommunication

One of the most common challenges in hotel housekeeping is sudden changes to schedules, supplies, and facilities. Despite these difficulties, it is important to keep guests and fellow staff updated. If the pool is closed for a day or two, inform guests during check-in and provide a short notice in the hotel room or lobby. If possible, inform them via email or a booking platform ahead of time.

6. Build skills and integrate technology into operations

Problems targeted: Lack of manpower, disruptions to hotel operations

Sufficient training is important to ensure hotel staff are equipped with the necessary skills to tackle challenges in hotel housekeeping. Specialized training that focuses on cleaning techniques or machine operation builds staff competency and versatility. 

It is also ideal to invest in technology that helps streamline hotel operations, such as automation,  contactless payment,  mobile apps, smart devices, and digitized data collection (online feedback forms and surveys). 

7. Source high-quality hotel amenities

Problems targeted: Constant breakdown of room amenities, damages, frequent restocking and replacement, room complaints, safety issues

Low-quality hotel amenities can impact the guest experience and result in negative feedback. To prevent low satisfaction rates, it is necessary to look for a hotel supplier that provides high-quality amenities. Luxury hotels, especially, need to maintain a healthy reputation among their clients. Items such as hotel linens, wet and dry amenities, and other consumables are essential for everyday operations.

To avoid high maintenance costs, in-room amenities such as minibars, kettles, irons, and other appliances are best sourced according to energy efficiency and a long lifespan.

It is crucial to be ten steps ahead of hotel housekeeping problems. Staying on top of things brings assurance to your guests and maintains the high quality of hotel services. Overcoming common hotel maintenance issues is no easy feat, but with the right tools, training, and practices, hoteliers can easily tackle the most difficult situations head-on.

ALSO READ: 5 Cost-Effective Hotel Housekeeping Hacks That Will Solve Your Cleaning Woes

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