We have a well-established Housekeeping team at Lancaster House, with many years’ experience and, moreover, who love their job.
Meet Hannah, Jenny, Emma, and of course Gail, our Housekeeping Manager. They enjoy preparing the hotel for Conferences, Weddings and for our Leisure guests. We caught up with them to find out what keeps them motivated and loving life at Lancaster House.
Tell us about your housekeeping journey?
Hannah: In 2012, my brother who was a Chef here, told me about a vacancy in the team. The hours were perfect as I had a young child. Since then I’ve increased my hours and I’m now Assistant Housekeeper.
Jenny: I started as a casual member of the team six years ago, and then to linen porter and room checker. Then I went on to do my NVQ 3 in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership, and now I am Assistant Housekeeper.
Emma: After five years at a Holiday Home park in the Lake District, I moved to Lancaster House in 2015. I’ve always been passionate about housekeeping, so when I saw the vacancy online, I knew instantly that Lancaster House was somewhere I would love to further my Housekeeping career.
Gail: Originally I wanted to become a mechanic, but my Mum said ‘No’. So I did a college course in Hotel Reception and Accommodation Services. At the age of sixteen I joined the team at Lancaster House, the new up and coming hotel in the area at the time. Twenty years later, I’m still here!
What’s in a housekeeping day?
Hannah: First of all we allocate rooms to individual housekeepers. When cleaned, the rooms are inspected to make sure they are perfect for guests. I personally like to walk the path of the guest to ensure everything looks and smells beautiful, to ensure a faultless stay. We always aim to have the departure rooms cleaned first to ensure 3 pm check-in.
Gail: We start with public areas in the morning, followed by bedrooms, then corridors and stairwells.
Housekeeping Tips?
Hannah: Always carry a cloth. Always be prepared to work hard. A Berocca never goes amiss to boost your vitamin intake (I take mine in a Prosecco glass).
Emma: This may not be a housekeeping tip, but it is something I’ve always lived by … attention to detail! I believe in things being perfectly placed. We see tidiness straight away, whether it is the cushions plumped and straight, or the tea tray neat and tidy. I strongly believe a good eye for detail is a must.
Favourite room in the hotel?
Hannah: The staff brew room! No, seriously, that’s a difficult one because I like different rooms for different reasons. I love our bridal suite, Room 118, the colour scheme, huge bed and large modern bathroom. But I also very much like room 211, one of our luxury suites, as it is a corner room, so very spacious with French doors and an amazing view.
Jenny: Room 118 because of the nice walk in shower, luxury bath, super king size bed, and the lovely window seat looking out towards Heysham.
Emma: I agree, Room 118. Chic stylish décor, beautiful countryside views and luxuriously large bathroom.
As a team we are keeping it green
Hannah: We are big on green. We recycle everything possible. We clean and fill and clean our own refillable water bottle system. Plastic bottle tops are sent to a charity that make use of them.
Emma: We use microfibre cloths which are re-usable and reduce the number of cleaning products we need to use. The fibres have superior absorbency and are great for picking up trapped dirt. We are all very strict re-cyclers. ‘As a team we are keeping it green’.
Gail: We’ve maintained our Green Tourism Gold standard, so we must be doing something right.
Best bit of the job?
Hannah: The people. Not just within housekeeping, but across all departments. It’s like working with a second family. Everyone seems to really care for each other, and wouldn’t go passed you without a ‘good morning’ smile, or friendly gesture. It’s a very pleasant place to work.
Emma: Clean rooms, and happy feedback from guests.
Gail: Going home knowing you are giving the guests the best experience you can.
What do you love about Lancaster House?
Hannah: Again, the people. But also the fantastic opportunities and benefits from working here. The gym membership for yourself, your partner and children. Great to help keep the kids entertained on days off. Birthday B&B stay each year with evening meal. It’s lovely working for a family run business who show care and always make you feel appreciated for the work that goes into running a successful hotel.
Jenny: Definitely agree, the people!
Emma: The housekeeping team – we are all so passionate about the job we do. Every day is a new challenge. We all pull together and make every day a rewarding and successful one.
Gail: It is like a big family. There are good times and hard times, but we always come together to help each other out.
How do you go the extra mile for guests?
Hannah: The team is always thinking about how we can go one step further for our guests and colleagues. This can range from putting a fridge in a room if guests have brought food, or going out of your way for a colleague just to make their day a little easier. Jimmy, our public area cleaner, is a great example of someone who is always there with a helping hand – nothing is ever too much trouble for him and his answer is always a ‘yes’. He also does a lot of work for a local cancer care charity.
Gail: If we know that people are coming to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries, we love to put in extra touches to decorate the room and give the guests a surprise.
Large Hotel with 'Small Hotel', Friendly Feel
Say 'hi' next time you meet Hannah, Emma, Jenny and Gail in the corridors of Lancaster House. They exemplify all that we are proud of here at the hotel. Whether you are booked in as a Conference guest, or having a short break in the historic city of Lancaster, you will be sure to have sparkling clean rooms, and a friendly 'Good Morning'.
Check out Lancaster House rooms here.