START Chapter 10.1

10.1 Getting to Know the Guestroom Attendant

What is a Guestroom Attendant?
A guestroom attendant could be defined as a housekeeping department employee who cleans guestrooms.
Many studies have shown that clean rooms and public areas are the most important factors in determining whether guests will return to a lodging property.
Guestroom attendants have a job to be proud of- without them, the property would be empty.
The guestroom attendant makes sure each guest has a room complete with all the comforts that amenities can offer, and all the warmth that a clean room can bring.

Superior Performance Standards
The condition of each guest’s room should enhance the guest’s overall experience.
Guestroom attendants must:
-Thoroughly clean mirrors, glass surfaces, windows (inside and out), ashtrays, walls, telephones, and wastebaskets
-Thoroughly clean and dust baseboards, pictures, window sills, drapes, chairs (legs and rungs), dressers and drawers, desks and drawers, night stands, lamps, lamp shades, light bulbs, headboards, closet poles and hangers, closet shelves, and televisions
-Neatly make beds and make sure there are no stains, holes, or loose threads in bedding materials
- Thoroughly vacuum guestroom carpeting and make sure it doesn’t have any holes or stains
-Make sure each guestroom’s electrical and mechanical functions are in proper working order.
-Thoroughly clean and sanitize the bathroom
- Wash hands after taking a break
-Change their apron after a break if they smoke while on break

Tip Sharing
Tips are the guests’ way of thanking guestroom attendants for a job well done.
Properties have many different ways for their guestroom attendants to share tips.
Guestrooms attendants are required to report any tips that add up to $20 or more a month

Guestroom Attendant Duties
The primary job of a guestroom attendant is to clean the guestroom. This involves them performing many specific tasks in the guestroom and some outside the guestroom

10.1 Questions

1. What is the guestroom attendant’s primary job?
To clean the guestroom

2. Why is the job of the guestroom attendant so important to the hotel?
It is proven to be the most important factor in determining whether or not a guest would stay at a property

3. List some of the things guestroom attendants are responsible for cleaning.
Mirrors, Pictures, window sills, drapes, chairs, dressers and drawers, telephones, beds, hangers, closet shelves