Working in hotel housekeeping: frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Housekeeping ensures that hotel rooms and public areas are clean, fresh and well maintained. It is practical work with clear routines and a strong focus on detail. And above all: your work is immediately noticeable to guests. In this FAQ, we answer the questions we most often receive from candidates who want to work in housekeeping.

Want to see current vacancies right away? View Housekeeping jobs or specifically Housekeeper jobs.

What does a typical workday look like?

The day usually starts with a short briefing. You are informed which rooms are check-outs (guests are leaving: the room needs a full clean and must be ready for the next guest), which rooms are stay-overs (guests are staying: the room receives a service clean), and whether there are any special notes such as VIP guests, late check-outs or special requests (for example an extra bed or allergy-friendly requirements). After that, you start working on your room list or tasks in public areas. Read more about a day in the life of a housekeeper (with timeline).

Common tasks include making beds, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming or mopping floors, replacing towels and replenishing toiletries. You also check the room for details: is everything correct, does it smell fresh and is the room “ready to sell”? In addition, you play an important signalling role: you report technical issues (broken lights, malfunctioning minibars) so they can be resolved quickly. If you find items left behind by guests, you follow the hotel’s lost-and-found procedure.

Because cleaning usually takes place between check-out and check-in (roughly late morning to mid-afternoon), you often work within a clear time window and with set priorities. Finally, you report completed rooms to your supervisor or via a system/app, so the front desk knows which rooms are available.

How many rooms do you clean per shift?

This varies by hotel and by day. It mainly depends on:

  • Type of hotel: a small boutique hotel has different numbers than a large chain hotel

  • Room size and service level: suites and luxury rooms take more time than standard rooms

  • Check-outs vs stay-overs: check-out rooms require a full clean, stay-overs usually a shorter service

  • Occupancy and planning: on high-occupancy days with many departures, the workload is higher

As a general guideline, you often hear numbers between 10 and 15 rooms per shift, but this is not a fixed rule. Some hotels work with fewer rooms (more time per room), others with higher numbers (tight production standards). It is perfectly normal to ask this during a job interview: “What is the average number of rooms per shift and how is quality monitored?”

Is housekeeping full-time or part-time?

Both are common. Housekeeping is a department with flexible schedules, making it ideal if you want to work part-time or gradually build up your hours. Full-time positions are also available, especially in larger hotels and in roles with more responsibility (such as supervisor).

During busy periods, hotels often work with additional staff, which creates opportunities to start and later grow into more hours. When viewing vacancies, pay close attention to the number of hours and the type of hotel. Large hotels often offer more fixed hours and clear shifts, while boutique hotels may be smaller and more flexible. Through Hotelprofessionals, you can search specifically within a broad range of chain hotels and boutique hotels.

Do you need experience?

Not necessarily. For many entry-level roles, motivation and work attitude are more important than experience. Many hotels train you on the job and work with clear standards and routines. Experience is a plus if you want to work independently right away or if you are applying for a senior role.

What hotels usually look for most:

  • Accurate and efficient: working neatly while maintaining a good pace

  • Reliable: punctual and keeping agreements

  • Eye for detail: you notice immediately when something isn’t right

  • Team mindset: supporting colleagues and communicating clearly

If you are strong in these areas, you can start perfectly well without prior experience.

What working hours can you expect (weekends and holidays)?

Hotels operate all year round. This means you will regularly (often on a rotating basis) work weekends and public holidays. In return, you are usually off more often on weekdays, and schedules are often known in advance. Work on public holidays or irregular hours may come with allowances according to agreements or collective labour agreements; this differs per employer.

Most housekeeping shifts are during the day, as rooms need to be ready for arriving guests. Think of starting between 07:00 and 09:00 and finishing in the afternoon. Some hotels also have a (smaller) afternoon or evening shift for public areas or additional evening services (such as turndown service in higher-end hotels). Night shifts are rare in traditional housekeeping roles.

What are the career opportunities in housekeeping?

Housekeeping is a strong foundation for growth because you learn how daily hotel operations really work: quality control, timing, cooperation with the front desk and technical services, and maintaining standards.

Common career paths include:

  • Room Attendant / Housekeeper → Senior or all-round employee (more complex tasks, training new colleagues)

  • Houseman / Public Area Attendant → All-round roles (rooms, public areas, linen)

  • Housekeeping Supervisor (planning, team leadership, quality checks)

  • (Assistant) Housekeeping Manager / Executive Housekeeper (scheduling, inventory, training, budgets, quality policy)

With experience, you can also move into broader hospitality or facilities roles, precisely because you gain insight into how a hotel operates behind the scenes.

Finding housekeeping jobs via Hotelprofessionals

Want to start working in housekeeping in the Netherlands? Check out:

You’ll find positions at large hotel chains as well as boutique hotels, with both full-time and part-time opportunities.