A hotel's housekeeping department pulls the cleaning staff into one unit and runs the day-to-day operation. The housekeeping manager leads it, supervising the team and assigning duties against standard procedures.
That manager answers for the whole team, room attendants included, and keeps every cleaning service across the hotel running smoothly, increasingly with a housekeeping management system that assigns tasks and tracks room status in real time.
All staff members are assigned to the following main divisions:
In larger hotels, the housekeeping department may also include the following teams:
The Administrative Housekeeping Office includes managerial positions responsible for staff coordination, planning, and the overall organization of the hotel's housekeeping operations. All other employees report to this department.
The head of housekeeping may also be titled Executive Housekeeper, First Housekeeper, Housekeeping Manager, or Floor Manager. This professional oversees the entire housekeeping department, hires and trains staff, develops standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensures that cleanliness standards are maintained throughout the property, including laundry and spa areas.
The Assistant Housekeeper assumes responsibilities in the absence of the Executive Housekeeper. This role assists with daily operations, oversees staff schedules, schedules deep cleanings, and ensures that all rooms and public areas meet quality expectations.
This unit cleans guest rooms and keeps the floors in order. Room attendants carry the load here, leaving each room spotless and ready for the next guest.
A Floor Supervisor, First Housekeeper, or Floor Manager usually runs the unit and supervises the team working the guest floors.
Oversees floor operations: inspecting rooms, training staff, managing supplies, and keeping linens and amenities stocked. Also the link between the team and housekeeping or front-office management.
Cleans rooms and bathrooms, changes towels and linens, checks amenities, and keeps each assigned room comfortable.
Cleans hallways, stairwells, elevators and other nearby public areas. Helps keep the guest environment clean.
Helps deliver fresh linen, restock closets, dispose of waste, and assist staff with logistics and room service coordination.
Typically found in upscale hotels, the Butler assists guests with unpacking, delivers laundry, attends to suite needs, and acts as a liaison with management to coordinate luxury services.
Prepares guest rooms for the night, including turning down beds, refreshing towels, and creating a comfortable atmosphere for rest.
This section includes up to ten different roles and may vary depending on the size of the hotel operation. The following positions are typically included:
Runs all laundry operations: washing, drying, ironing, and coordination with dry cleaners. Sorts the linen and keeps its quality up.
Inspects and dispatches linen for washing and ironing, tracks inventory movement, ensures cleanliness and repairs, and replaces items as needed.
Manages the storage and issue of linen, performs inventory checks, and manages incoming and outgoing laundry.
Transports dirty linen, distributes fresh linen to floors, and delivers guest items to and from laundry or dry cleaners.
Handles employee uniforms end to end: cleaning, upkeep, distribution, and procurement. Keeps garments in good shape and manages the uniform stock.
Make repairs and alterations to uniforms, linens and drapes. Can also alter or repair guest garments upon request.
Performs ironing, light laundry, express repairs, room delivery, shoe shine and guest garment care.
Public areas in hotels also require ongoing cleaning and maintenance to ensure guest satisfaction.
Ensures cleanliness in lobbies, elevators, parking areas, spa areas, meeting and banquet rooms. Conducts regular inspections and inventories of public areas and cleaning schedules.
Keeps lobbies, guest bathrooms, reception areas, and entrances clean. Handles trash removal, carpet cleaning, furniture polishing, elevator vacuuming, and exterior upkeep.
Performs general cleaning duties in public areas of the hotel, moves and arranges furniture for events, and assists with special cleaning projects as assigned under supervision.
If the hotel has a wellness or spa area, the housekeeping team keeps that clean and up to standard too.
Keeps every recreational and wellness area clean and well-maintained. Where there's a pool, they make sure it meets hygiene and safety standards under hotel policy.
Many hotels have indoor gardens or floral departments. These areas are maintained by a dedicated housekeeping team responsible for plant care and floral decorations.
They maintain conservatories, water plants, mulch soil, and trim shrubs. After blooming, they remove dead plants and foliage and prepare beds for replanting. They are also responsible for propagating, transplanting, and collecting seeds.
Florists handle the arrangements and decorations. They make up fresh bouquets for guest rooms and public spaces and keep the flowers looking their best across the hotel.
