Your Hotel: A Guide to Keeping it Clean
Your Hotel: A Guide to Keeping it Clean
Ever wondered what guests are looking for most when they book a hotel room, aside from location? Believe it or not it isn’t your continental breakfast or daily happy hour. It’s actually how clean your establishment is. Surprised? A Trustyou.com study of more than 500 travelers found that “When traveling for leisure, respondents self-reported that cleanliness and comfort were the two most important hotel factors,” with 61% saying that cleanliness was “extremely important.” Even if you think your business is as clean as they come, it’s worth taking a closer look. Let’s dive in to your hotel: a guide to keeping it clean.
Did you ever consider that the clean vibe your hotel sends out starts before your guests even book a room? We talk a lot about online reviews for restaurants on our blog, but with sites like Trip Advisor and Hotels.com, it’s easier than ever for guests to read all the dirty secrets behind your hotel room doors too. One poor review can turn countless guests off, so get ahead of the game and establish a reputation of sanitation.
Potential guests will also likely peruse your website—according to the same Trustyou.com study, over 40% of leisure travelers book their rooms right from the hotel’s website. Be sure to boast about your housekeeping standards online, and brag about any certifications you have or associations you belong to.
Your lobby is obviously going to make a critical first impression, so it should be spick-and-span. You should always have a number of housekeepers maintaining the space throughout the day, without being overly conspicuous or disrupting your guests. Super-quiet vacuums are pricey but a great investment to maintain a calm atmosphere. Don’t forget about your outdoor spaces and parking lots, either—no one wants to park amongst piles of cigarette butts and trash when they’re trying to enjoy a vacation.
We recently found a fun tip to add a personal touch to your hotel guest experience: have your housekeeping staff leave a handwritten note that the room has been cleaned. Your guests will definitely appreciate the care and consideration that this simple gesture provides.
Remember, stellar housekeeping is only possible if you have a devoted staff behind you. Keep your housekeepers happy by offering proper training and incentives, and help them understand how important their job is—even if it isn’t the most glamorous. If they exude a sense of pride about their work, that’ll make a big difference to your guests.
In considering all of these factors, you may be thinking a little extra cash-on-hand could make a huge impact on your business. Consider a Line of Credit from the experts at ARF Financial. We offer free online approvals and funding in as little as 3 days, plus loan amounts from $5,000 to $500,000. Stop by today for a no-obligation offer.