The American Hotel and Lodging Association has released its 2024 State of the Industry Report, unveiling a wealth of intriguing insights. Among the abundance of information, a key finding highlights the crucial elements in forging positive guest experiences.
Enhancing guest satisfaction is surprisingly straightforward and achievable for all. The primary focus for hotel operators should be on cleanliness — guest room cleanliness and overall property cleanliness take precedence over areas such as high-quality linens, extensive hotel amenities and even staff availability.
What does “cleanliness” entail?
For hoteliers aiming to excel, they should direct their attention towards ensuring rooms are free of unpleasant odors and instead are filled with pleasing scents. Meticulously maintained bathrooms must be free of any signs of mold and dirt, and linens should remain spotless and stain-free.
These priorities are critical because they significantly influence guest perceptions. Neglecting them could result in damaging reviews. Indeed, guests are more inclined to report negative experiences, particularly those related to room cleanliness, offensive smells and pest issues. If you are interested in learning more about maintaining a bedbug-free accommodation, consider exploring our bedbug article in our members-only section.
To avoid negative feedback and encourage positive reviews, implementing a structured and efficient cleaning strategy is essential.
As a member of the Washington Hospitality Association, members have access to American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute’s training ServSafe classes such as the Certified Guest Room Attendant. With this class, employees can learn how to utilize cleaning supplies and chemicals correctly and safely, learn common room status codes, and how to organize carts and work areas for maximum efficiency. Visit here for more information.
Additionally, members can receive large discounts through the association with our different programs.
ODP Business Solutions: Office Depot not only sells office products, but also cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, to-go items including plates, silverware & napkins and more. Members can sign up for free, order online and receive significant discounts on over 1,000 popular items.
Food Service Direct: Receive a members-only discount of 5% off everything and gain access to over 200,000 hard-to-find food service products including janitorial and health and personal care supplies.
Read the full report on our members-only section here.
Source:
The American Hotel and Lodging Association 2024 State of the Industry Report