Overview
Standard operating procedures for hotel room attendants, or housekeepers, are taught through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and include everything from guest relations to how to properly make a bed and clean a bathroom. The details of the job description for a hotel room attendant are very important because the condition of the hotel room plays a huge role in a property's reputation. Average salary of hotel attendants in 2009 is about $11 per hour, according to PayScale.com.
Guest Relations
Every employee of a hotel, including room attendants, is expected to warmly greet guests, no matter whether they are working in a five-star hotel or an extended stay property. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than two-thirds of the hotel industry's employees work in the service sector of the industry. Hotel owners and managers rely on the customer service abilities of their service staff to provide guests with a good feeling about their stay.
Guest Safety
The job description of a room attendant includes ensuring the safety and well being of guests. The housekeeping staff is responsible for checking guest occupancy and verifying that rooms have been vacated. After knocking on the door and entering the room, room attendants must visually inspect each room before they begin any cleaning or organizing. They report any inconsistencies to the executive housekeeper, hotel manager or housekeeping supervisor. Room attendants also initiate requests for maintenance work.
Cleaning
To ensure they don't miss anything, the room attendant should begin cleaning the room at the end furthest from the door. Housekeepers wipe down every surface, including tables, dressers, televisions and headboards. Products and tools provided by the hotel should be utilized for cleaning. The room attendant then removes the sheets and pillowcases from the bed and remakes the bed with clean linens, tightening the edges for a crisp appearance. Vacuuming is typically performed after the bathroom has been cleaned, just prior to leaving the room.
Bathrooms
Room attendants should always don gloves prior to cleaning the bathrooms in hotel rooms. Wet towels are picked up off the floor and replaced with clean towels. Counters are straightened and wiped and the mirror is cleaned. Housekeepers work from top to bottom in the bathroom, usually starting with the mirror, in order to be thorough and remain on schedule. Shower stalls, bathtubs and toilets are cleaned and sanitized. Toiletries that have been used should be replaced.
Administrative Duties
Room attendants primarily work morning and afternoon shifts to make up rooms for guest who are staying and prepare the rooms for new arrivals. Hotel room attendants typically arrive at work in time for a brief staff meeting with the housekeeping supervisor when they are updated on ongoing hotel activities and provided with their room assignments. They receive a log that includes every room to complete before they leave each day.
References:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Hotel_Room_Service_Attendant/Hourly_Rate
Payscale
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Hotel_Room_Service_Attendant/Hourly_Rate
Resource:
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
http://www.ei-ahla.org/