To mark Housekeeping Appreciation Week (September 8-14, 2024), HM spoke to some of the top performers in this critical hotel department to find out a bit more about their role.
Name: Adam Holy
Hotel: Dorsett Melbourne
Title: Housekeeping Manager
Tenure: 1.5 years with ahs hospitality
Tell us a bit about your career journey?
My career journey has been a rich and rewarding exploration of the hospitality industry, where I’ve had the opportunity to work in various roles across different areas. While I’ve enjoyed all aspects of hospitality, I’ve discovered that my true passion lies in the back-of-house operations like housekeeping. This is where I thrive, working behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Working with ahs hospitality has given me the opportunity to hone my skills in managing housekeeping logistics, coordinating teams, and problem-solving.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about my role as a Housekeeping Manager is the people I get to work with. Building a strong, cohesive team and fostering a positive work environment are incredibly rewarding aspects of my job. I thrive on the opportunity to support and mentor my team members, helping them develop their housekeeping skills and achieve their professional goals. I also enjoy engaging with both my housekeeping team and hotel guests. The interactions, whether it’s collaborating to solve a problem or receiving positive feedback from guests about the cleanliness and comfort of their stay, are what make the job truly fulfilling. It’s certainly the relationships and my housekeeping team’s shared commitment to excellence that drive me and make every day in this role meaningful.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your work?
The most challenging aspect of my role as a Housekeeping Manager is finding the right balance between maintaining high quality standards and achieving productivity goals. Ensuring that every room meets the highest cleanliness and comfort standards is essential for guest satisfaction, but this must be balanced with the need to complete tasks efficiently and within time constraints. It’s a delicate juggling act to ensure that quality doesn’t suffer while also meeting productivity targets. This involves meticulous planning, constant training, and effective communication with my team. I focus on implementing streamlined processes and leveraging feedback to continuously improve our housekeeping practices. By prioritising both quality and efficiency, I strive to deliver exceptional service while keeping housekeeping operations smooth and effective.
How is technology impacting how you do your job?
Technology has had a significant impact on my role as a Housekeeping Manager. Digital task management systems are often used by hotel housekeeping teams to automate inventory tracking and track the progress and completion of tasks more accurately. Technology also helps streamline operations, reduce manual errors, and provide real-time updates, which ultimately leads to a smoother workflow and more effective team management.
What’s one myth about your job that you’d like to debunk?
A common myth I’d like to debunk is the belief that being exceptional at cleaning rooms automatically qualifies someone to be a successful Housekeeping Manager. While hands-on cleaning skills are essential, managing a housekeeping team requires a different set of abilities. Leadership, effective communication, and strategic planning are crucial components of successful management.