When you're staying at a hotel, you'll want your room to be both clean and comfortable. One way to make sure it stays that way is by using the hotel’s housekeeping service.
Housekeeping takes care of cleaning the rooms and the public areas of the hotel. Their main tasks include cleaning the rooms, changing linens and towels, making beds, restocking toiletries, and keeping everything tidy for guests.
But not everyone knows how to properly ask for housekeeping services. So, here are some easy tips on how to call a housekeeper during your hotel stay.
The simplest method is to use the room phone. Almost every hotel equips its rooms with a phone that connects you directly to various hotel services, including housekeeping.
You'll usually find a list of important numbers near the phone, one of which will be for housekeeping. In some hotels, they might use terms like “Cleaning Services” or “Room Service.”
Just dial the number and clearly explain what you need, whether it’s a room clean-up, extra towels, or more toiletries.
If you can't find a direct number for housekeeping, you can always call the front desk by pressing “0” on your room phone.
Just let the receptionist know you need housekeeping services. They will contact the housekeeping team for you and make sure your needs are met.
If your room doesn’t have a phone or if your calls aren’t getting through, head down to the front desk. You can usually find the receptionist in the lobby, often on the ground floor. Simply tell the receptionist what you need, and then you can head back to your room to wait for the housekeeper
If you’re not in a hurry for housekeeping services, or if you’re planning to step out for a while, this method is quite handy.
In every hotel room, you’ll typically find a door hanger with messages like “Please Clean My Room” or “Do Not Disturb.” In more upscale hotels, these might be replaced with an electronic system, like a light switch.
If you want your room cleaned while you're out, just hang the sign on your door knob before leaving. Make sure the “Please Clean My Room” side is visible to let housekeeping know it’s okay to enter.
Remember, housekeepers follow a specific schedule, so it’s best to put up the sign in the morning or early afternoon. That way, they’ll notice it while they’re cleaning nearby rooms.
If you come across a housekeeper working in the hallway, feel free to make your request directly. This is particularly handy if you just need something small, like extra towels or toiletries.
But if you're asking for your room to be cleaned, keep in mind that the housekeeper might not be able to help you immediately, as they could have other tasks lined up.
Those are some straightforward ways to ask for housekeeping services at a hotel. Keep in mind, however, that some hotels might have specific rules about when and how you can use these services, especially outside of normal hours.
It’s a good idea to check the hotel’s policies when you check in, such as the housekeeping hours and any extra charges for services requested after hours.
In many places, it’s also customary to tip housekeepers as a thank-you for their hard work. If you're happy with the service, consider leaving a tip according to local practices.