Hotel Housekeeping : Operations and Management

Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management is a comprehensive textbook specially designed to meet the requirement of students pursuing courses in hotel management.

The book explores the key elements of housekeeping as also its theoretical foundations and techniques of operations. It provides an exhaustive coverage of the core concepts of the subject: the structure and layout of the housekeeping department, housekeeping inventory, guestroom layout and maintenance, flower arrangement, and interior decoration.

Beginning with an overview of the hospitality industry and the housekeeping department, the book discusses in detail management of housekeeping personnel, contracts and outsourcing, planning and daily routines, cleaning, supervision, control desk activities, budgeting, textiles, linen and laundry operations, and uniforms. It goes on to discuss important issues in housekeeping, such as safety and security, pest control and waste disposal, and management of an optimal internal environment. Finally, it discusses interior designing, guestroom renovation, horticulture, and preparations for a new property. The book pays special attention to emerging areas such as ecotels and the changing trends in housekeeping.

Students of hotel management would find the book highly useful for its coverage of the fundamental concepts of housekeeping explained through industry-related case studies, tables, flow charts, diagrams, and photographs. With its practice-oriented approach, the book would also be useful for housekeeping professionals and students of home science.

G Raghubalan is a Group Training Manager at CCG Earth Group of Hotels, Cochin.