For any hotel owner, conducting maintenance can get overwhelming, especially if this is your first experience as a hotel owner. Simply put, if your hotel isn’t up to standard, you’ll find it has fewer guests.
That’s why, in this blog, we are providing you with the ultimate checklist for hotel maintenance.
As a family run business that has been operating for over 40 years, we at Albino Builders have seen plenty of builds of various types, and have decided to share our experiences with you.
Our team covers a range of builds within commercial and residential environments. From hotels and businesses, to care homes, to house renovations, and so much more, we may just have the expertise you need.
What makes a good hotel?
Sometimes, a large hotel isn’t always going to be good simply based on its size. There are different factors that come together in a guest’s estimations when they decide whether your hotel is good or not. These are…
- Cleanliness – Simply put, is it clean?
- Comfort – Is the hotel or certain rooms and furniture in need of renovation or replacement? Is there hot water? Does the heating work? Can you provide for the guest should they have any requests?
- Location – Although this factor isn’t exactly the be all and end all of all hotels, having a location that is at least convenient is a massive boost to you and the local economy. Contrastingly, an isolated hotel may also prove to be appealing to some people, but to a lesser extent.
- Attentive staff – The staff of a hotel are all part of the team that is hosting your stay, as well as many other guests. A rude and uncaring attitude from staff could make or break your stay.
We understand that at times some guests may be under the influence, or have trouble communicating with respect, but occasions like this highlight the level of professionalism held by hotel staff. And it always has to be of a high standard.
- Food – Your guests will be hungry. You have to make sure your food is freshly prepared and to a professional standard. It can totally ruin a guest’s experience if they eat bad food, regardless if their room is perfect.
We understand some smaller hotels may not have full-time kitchen staff or services, so making sure your hotel has alternatives to accommodate your guests, or at least notice that there is no kitchen, will serve you greatly.
Is a hotel better than an Airbnb?
This is completely subjective to the location you choose, the hotels you are deciding between, and the Airbnb listings you are deciding between. Hotels are generally better maintained, whereas Airbnb’s are maintained by the listing provider.
This means that they may not follow the same levels of standards expected of a hotel in terms of service, cleanliness etc. Despite this, there are plenty of reviews of both hotels, and Airbnb listings that can give you an idea of which option is better for you on your travels.
The ultimate checklist for hotel maintenance
For any hotel to even have a chance at securing new guests, and re-welcoming old guests, you have to have the basics in order. There is no point in having a grand, luxurious hotel in a beautiful area, and not have the bare necessities organised. The basic maintenance factors you need to have in order are…
Plumbing
Nobody wants to stay anywhere where basic plumbing is a nightmare. Every room in your hotel should have plumbing that is free from obstruction, there should be no leaks or faults with the taps, toilets, showers, and baths.
Additionally, the water must be able to go from cold and hot in accordance with the guest’s wishes. Having any leaking plumbing in your hotel runs the risk of mould developing, which can cause serious health problems for you, your guests, and the structure and status of your hotel.
Heating
Imagine going on mini-break to a different town or city, only to find that your room is cold, and isn’t going to get any warmer. Although some people like a cold room, others prefer warmth, and both should be accommodated for.
This is especially true for older buildings that have been converted to hotels, as some of these buildings were made in a time before the kind of insulation we use was not commonplace, or even invented.
Electricity
Electricity is another key component that should be maintained to the best standard in a hotel. Your guests will be using the lights, the appliances and the plug sockets, and nine times out of ten, they didn’t pay for a room with the knowledge that some things may not work.
This can also present a health hazard, especially if some electrics are not covered in the way they should be.
Supplies
Guests may sometimes have requests you may need to fulfil, if you don’t have a surplus of items, whether that be towels, bedsheets, blankets, pillows, iron/ironing boards, hairdryers etc, you run the risk of disappointing your guests.
Cleanliness
The standard rule for any reputable hotel is that when a guest enters the room for the first time, it should not be obvious that a previous guest has used that room before them. This means…
- Fresh bedsheets, and towels
- Clean surfaces and floors
- No junk left over from the previous guest
- Bathroom is clean and has nothing left over from the previous guest
- A fresh smelling room
- No dust
These requirements are even more important in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless, a dirty room is a reflection of the care given by the staff, and is the easiest way to make your guest unwell, and uncomfortable. Make sure you do not compromise on cleanliness.
Do I have to do hotel maintenance myself?
Although there may be some aspects of hotel maintenance you have to cover, or organise by yourself, there are business out there like Albino Builders who provide a variety of services for hotels. These include…
- Remodelling
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Electrical
- Ad Hoc maintenance
- Scheduled servicing
By allowing us to take care of these maintenance aspects for you, it allows you to focus on the other parts of your business. We understand the value of having a well maintained building, and because of that we know how much more value you can gain from having a hotel that is well maintained.
A hotel that is well maintained gives your guests a reference point, whether they return to your hotel based on how well they were looked after/comfortable they were, or they choose to spread the word. Having your hotel to the best standard will only make it more inviting for future guests.
Invest in professional hotel maintenance today
Within this blog, we hope that the ultimate checklist for hotel maintenance we have provided has given you plenty to think about, and plenty to observe in your own hotel.
As a family run business spanning over 40 years, Albino Builders pride ourselves on the connections and services we have cultivated during our time, helping people who need our expertise. You can find some of our completed projects here.
Whether it’s a personal service, or a project we can undertake, we are more than happy to give advice wherever necessary.
Don’t hesitate to call us. Our years of experience mean we have a range of skills and trades that can enable us to complete your project. But we don’t rest on our laurels, we endeavour to keep up with an ever developing industry, and as a result, we make sure our staff are trained to the correct industry standard.
Address:
ALBINO BUILDERS
UNIT 1, QUARRY WAY BUSINESS PARK,
WATERLIP,
SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSET,
BA4 4RN
Telephone:
01749 344965
Email:
enquiries@albinobuilders.co.uk
