10 Hotel Housekeeping Issues That Hurt Hotel Profitability
                     The success of a hotel heavily relies on its reputation, which can be easily tarnished by various factors. One of the 
most critical factors that can negatively impact a hotel’s reputation is poor housekeeping. This can result in 
numerous Hotel housekeeping issues for guests and ultimately lead to a significant decline in the hotel’s 
profitability. Therefore, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization is crucial for preserving a hotel’s 
reputation and ensuring guest satisfaction.
Why Is Hotel Housekeeping Important? 
• Hotel housekeeping is an essential aspect of the hospitality industry, playing a critical role in ensuring the comfort, safety, and 
satisfaction of guests. 
• It involves the cleaning and maintenance of guest rooms, common areas, and facilities to maintain high standards of hygiene 
and organization.
• There are several reasons why hotel housekeeping is crucial. 
• Firstly, a clean and well-maintained hotel room creates a positive first impression for guests, making them feel welcomed and 
valued.
• This, in turn, can help establish a loyal customer base and drive repeat business.
• Secondly, a clean and tidy room can contribute significantly to the overall guest experience, ensuring their comfort and well-
being during their stay. 
• Guests expect a high level of cleanliness and organization in their hotel rooms, and any lapses in housekeeping can lead to 
dissatisfaction and negative reviews.
Here Know the Issues 
1. Low-quality furnishings
• Investing in low-quality furniture is one of the hotel 
housekeeping issues that can have a significant negative 
impact on a business’s profitability. 
• Not only do these pieces of furniture deteriorate faster, but 
they are also more prone to breaking.
• Replacing them frequently can eat into a company’s profits, 
especially if replacements are required on a regular basis.
• It’s essential to conduct thorough research when 
purchasing furniture and ensure that it’s designed for the 
intended purpose. 
• Choosing the right furniture can not only enhance the 
aesthetics of a space but also contribute to the comfort and 
well-being of its users.
2. Broken lights
• When hotel guests encounter broken lights, electrical 
switches, or appliances, it can cause frustration and 
inconvenience.
• If these issues persist and become a recurring problem, 
they can negatively impact a hotel’s reputation and deter 
guests from returning, ultimately affecting profitability.
• To prevent these issues from occurring, it’s crucial for the 
housekeeping team to perform regular checks to ensure that 
all electrical components are in proper working order.
• By conducting weekly inspections, potential issues can be 
identified and addressed promptly, reducing the likelihood 
of guests experiencing any inconvenience during their stay.
3. Damp patches
• Damp patches on walls or carpets can give guests the 
impression that a hotel is not well-maintained, which can be 
unappealing and disappointing. 
•  When guests pay for a room, they expect it to meet certain 
standards, including being free of any unsightly or unacceptable 
conditions.
• While some instances of damp patches may be unavoidable, 
proactive measures can help prevent or minimize them. 
• Housekeeping staff must conduct thorough room checks, 
including during tidying, to identify any signs of dampness or 
cracks. 
• If any such issues are detected, they must be noted and 
addressed promptly to prevent further damage and 
inconvenience to guests.
4. Hair in the bath or on the floor
• Hair on the floor or in the bathtub is a clear indication of 
inadequate cleaning and can leave a negative impression on 
guests. 
• Oftentimes, employees may resort to shortcuts, such as 
skipping vacuuming or sweeping, due to time constraints. 
• To prevent these types of housekeeping issues, it’s crucial to 
allocate sufficient time for staff to clean each room thoroughly.
• Inadequate cleaning can be prevented by ensuring that all 
staff members have enough time to complete their duties to a 
high standard. 
•  Shortcuts are often taken when employees are rushing to 
meet their daily cleaning quotas or have limited time to clean 
each room. 
5. Rubbish under the bed
•  When guests arrive at a hotel, one of the first places they tend 
to check is under the bed.
• It’s crucial not to overlook this area during cleaning, as any 
remaining rubbish or debris can indicate a lack of effort by the 
housekeeping staff.
•  To maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation, 
it’s essential to conduct random checks to ensure that all staff 
members are thorough in their cleaning efforts, including hard-
to-reach areas like under the bed.
• These checks can help identify areas for improvement and 
ensure that all staff members are meeting the expected 
standards consistently.
6. Fingerprints on windows and mirrors
• Fingerprints on windows and mirrors can be a stark reminder to guests 
that someone else was recently occupying the same room. 
• This can detract from the guest’s experience, as they want to feel like 
the room has been prepared specifically for them. 
• Additionally, fingerprints and makeup residue on mirrors can be 
unhygienic and make guests feel uncomfortable, as they may feel 
compelled to clean the room themselves.
• To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to prioritize thorough cleaning of all 
surfaces, including windows and mirrors. 
• Housekeeping staff should be diligent in their cleaning efforts and pay 
attention to details like fingerprints and makeup residue. 
7. Not enough toiletries
• Arriving at a hotel room only to find that essential items like 
shampoo, shower gel, and toothpaste are not available can be a 
frustrating experience for guests and it is one of the big hotel 
housekeeping issues, especially if these items were promised on 
the hotel’s website. 
• Similarly, a shortage of toilet paper can cause headaches for 
guests, who may feel compelled to ration the paper for the 
duration of their stay.
• To avoid these issues, it’s essential for hotels to prioritize 
stocking each room with the necessary essentials, including 
toiletries and an ample supply of toilet paper. 
• Guests should not have to worry about running out of these 
items during their stay or feel like they need to ration them.
8. Dust
• In today’s world, hotel guests are increasingly discerning when it comes 
to the cleanliness of their rooms. 
• They have high expectations and expect a high standard of cleanliness. 
• If guests notice any areas covered in dust or dirt, they may assume that 
housekeeping is cutting corners in their cleaning efforts.
• To meet these expectations, it’s crucial for hotels to ensure that each 
room is cleaned and tidied to a high standard.
• This includes inspecting and cleaning rooms that are not frequently 
used so that they are fresh and clean for new guests.
9. Bad manners
• Hotel housekeeping issues caused by impolite staff can 
significantly affect a hotel’s profitability. 
• Guests tend to remember rude staff members and may share 
their unpleasant experiences with others, which could 
discourage potential customers from booking a stay.
• Regularly monitoring comment cards and online reviews can 
help identify any complaints about specific staff members.
• If there are multiple complaints about a particular employee, 
it’s important to address the issue and speak with them. 
• Negative experiences can prompt guests to choose other 
hotels in the future and discourage others from visiting, which is 
why all staff members must maintain a professional and polite 
demeanor at all times.
10. Housekeeping staff look unprofessional
• In addition to bad manners, unprofessional attire can also result in 
negative reviews. 
• It’s essential for hotel staff to have a uniform to ensure they look 
presentable for work. 
• While it’s the responsibility of the staff to maintain their uniforms by 
washing and ironing them, you as the hotel owner should offer 
replacements when necessary.
• Proper footwear is also important for hotel employees.
• Shoes for Crews (Europe) Ltd specializes in slip-resistant shoes 
specifically designed for hotel staff. 
•These shoes are not only comfortable and supportive, but they also 
provide excellent grip on slippery floors, making them a safe and 
practical choice for your staff.
GET IN TOUCH
ADDRESS:-  Impruve General Trading LLC Bay View Tower, Office no. 1005, P. O. Box no. 114735, Marasi 
Drive Street, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Email:-  [email protected]
Phone:- +971 4 57 26 421
Website:- www.impruvellc.com
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