I use to think that housekeeping was not a tough job and an easy task to get by until I actually experienced it myself. At times I felt like crying becasue I can not manage it. I get upset and aggravated with myself so much as to why I can not do it. Thankfully all the other housekeepers explain to me how it is normal what I am going through and that I will soon get better and faster.
Today was my second day alone and had to get ten rooms done. However, today was hectic for me because management had given me two different building for me to clean. Being the circumstances that I am a student and new they were not suppose to do that. Therefore, I had help. Yesterday, I had eight rooms. Took me all day to finish it all up; this includes not taking lunch break. I am highly worried that I will not be able to make it when my room numbers increase. Because it took me a whole day to finish eight rooms. It literally takes me at least 45 minutes to an hour to finish a room. This is unbelievably a long time. I am working on speeding up; hence I really have to.
I truly congratulate and respect the housekeepers even more now. Now that I know how tough their job is I can have empathy for them. I learned that I have to work harder and faster then any other time of my life. What I really acknowledged is that housekeeping is a mind game. I have to have a strategy and a routine to get by everything quick, be neat and clean. Hopefully, I succeed in housekeeping, manage to clean all my rooms and get it done correctly. Lastly, the best part of housekeeping is learning the “special touches,” making cute animals from towels. Once again, I appreciate and respect housekeepers more then ever. As a bonus I am attaching a picture of a room I cleaned.
I totally understand how you feel! Actually, I’m already doing 17 rooms now. In the beginning, it was really really hard, but you must go on!! I promise, as you get used to it, it really won’t be that bad! I still dont have time for breaks yet though, but I’m still trying my best! I should be able to take breaks soon… hopefully!!
By the way, I LOVE your room!! You did a really good job with it.
And I agree with what you said about housekeepers. Whenever I stayed in hotel rooms, I never took notice to the details within the rooms, but housekeepers pay so much attention to the smallest details in the room! Some guests are definitely not giving housekeepers enough credit. Now, whenever I enter a room, I can’t help but notice every small detail within the room and acknowledge the hardwork the housekeeper had went through!
Housekeepers are without a doubt the mentally strongest employees of any lodging operation. Going a whole day with little to no guest interaction can be difficult and probably never hearing a thank you can feel demeaning as well. Indirectly, your making a guests stay unforgettable and that needs to remain constant in your mind.