Housekeeper reveals once common hotel service is now ‘unnecessary’
It used to be one of the stand-out pleasures of staying in a hotel. The luxury of sleeping in fresh sheets every night.
But a housekeeper has revealed the indulgent move is no more, as she offered an insight into her more than 20 years working at hotels.
It used to be one of the stand-out pleasures of staying in a hotel. The luxury of sleeping in fresh sheets every night. iStock
Shirley Koh, Executive Housekeeper at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, confirmed exactly how often hotel sheets are washed at the luxury brand’s properties.
“For guests staying multiple nights, bed linen is changed every three days, or more frequently upon request” she told nine.com.au.
While it doesn’t sound like enough, of course three days is likely far more often than you’d change your bedding at home.
Amid the pandemic many hotels cut back on housekeeping services. But Shirley said these days it is all about being more environmentally friendly.
“By reducing unnecessary linen changes, we help conserve water and energy while continuing to prioritise our guests’ comfort and well-being,” she said.
The most important things guests need to do when they leave is to check they have not forgotten anything.
It’s no surprise what the most left behind items are Shirley and her colleagues usually find.
Shirley Koh is Executive Housekeeper at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. Shangri-La
“Chargers, power banks, books and toys are some of the items we come across,” she said.
Of course, some guests even forget their passports, and she advised checking everywhere including the safe, bedside tables, and drawers before departing.
Shirley’s biggest plea to guests, however, may be a surprise.
She said guests should not worry about tidying up the room before they leave, no matter how messy it is.
“Our job is to take care of that,” she said.
The team at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur don’t want guests to worry about tidying their rooms. Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
That’s similar to the advice another housekeeper had previously.
In a column for The Sun, a caravan park worker praised the cleaners as the “unsung heroes of the holiday parks”, and shared some advice for guests checking out.
"It goes against everything we were taught when we were kids, but before you leave, please don't make the beds," they wrote.
"Stripping them is far more helpful to the housekeeper."
They went on to say they would much rather “walk into a caravan and find a mountain of tangled sheets, duvet covers, and pillow cases on the living room floor” instead of neatly made beds.
Another expert revealed a different but equally common mistake guests tend to make when they check out.
If you've ordered room service, avoid leaving the tray outside in the hallway that is unless the hotel has told you otherwise.
Etiquette expert Myka Meier told Travel + Leisure: “It’s messy and smelly for other guests, as well as a trip hazard. Instead, call room service when you’re done and tell them you’re ready to have your tray picked up.”
