National Housekeeping Week: Creative Ways to Honor Your Hardworking Team

Get ready to roll out the red carpet for your hotel’s unsung heroes! In 2024, National Housekeeping Week, also known as International Housekeepers and Environmental Services Week (IHW), is September 8 to 14, and it’s the perfect time to shower your team with the appreciation they deserve. 

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If you’re searching for fresh, exciting National Housekeeping Week ideas to surprise and delight your housekeeping team, you’ve come to the right place — because this time, it’s their turn to be treated like VIPs.

The Significance Behind National Housekeeping Week

Employee recognition in hotels might seem overdue, especially since staff are often considered the lifeblood of a memorable “guest experience.” Hotels have been around for centuries — the oldest one dates back to 705 — but it wasn’t until 1981 that housekeeping teams started getting the recognition they deserved. That’s when The Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA) launched National Housekeeping Week (NHW), celebrated every second full week of September.

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Over the centuries, the role of housekeeping has evolved dramatically. Modern tech tools have automated some tasks, but it’s still humans who keep rooms spotless and guest expectations met. (By the way, did you know that changing sheets in record time can get you to the Housekeeping Olympics?) 

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While intriguing, you don’t have to send a team of pros to Las Vegas to show off their turnover skills to recognize your staff. National Housekeeping Week is your chance to celebrate those daily achievements, spotlight every team member and honor the hard work that keeps your hotel running smoothly. 

Boosting Morale and Motivation for Your Housekeeping Team

Every day, your housekeeping team gives rooms a fresh makeover, ensuring each stay meets high standards of cleanliness and quality. They maneuver through the property efficiently, maintaining cost-effective Minutes per Room (MPR) and handling tight check-in schedules, especially in understaffed situations.

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Boosting morale and motivation in this area can have powerful effects:

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• Reduce turnover costs: Hiring and training new staff is time-consuming and expensive (an average of $4,700 per employee, according to the Society for Human Resource Management). Plus, it puts extra strain on existing team members. Motivated employees who feel connected to their peers are more likely to stay, reducing turnover and its associated costs.
• Enhance the guest experience: A well-maintained room can prevent negative reviews, but going the extra mile, like stocking a favorite snack for a repeat guest, creates the kind of memorable experiences that lead to glowing reviews. The key to creating these magical moments is appreciating the people who make them happen.

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Hotels already excel at creating magic for guests, so finding ways to optimize the role of your housekeepers can boost employee satisfaction and retention and reduce hotel costs.

8 Ideas to Make National Housekeeping Week Unforgettable

There are countless ways to show gratitude to your hardworking housekeeping team, and National Housekeeping Week is your time to double- or triple-down on the “thank you’s.” Here are some standout ideas:

Celebrate

1. Try a happy cart: Take a page from the Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius and arrange a “happy cart” loaded with snacks, drinks and treats as a quick way to boost morale. Roll it out at the end of a shift, closing their day with a delightful surprise. Bonus points if you’re there to serve your team personally!
2. Make it a week-long celebration: Instead of limiting your celebrations to one instance, show your appreciation all week long. Kick-off with a breakfast bar on day one, relaxing chair massages on day two, a special team lunch on day three, a fancy coffee cart on day four and so on. Cap it all with a big celebration at week’s end, either onsite or offsite.
3. Host an event to remember: Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or a fun team outing, give it the same attention you would when planning an event for your hotel guests. Celebrating your housekeepers with specific awards, anniversary recognition and gift bags are great starting points, but NHW warrants going the extra mile. Consider creating a literal red carpet welcome leading to a fancy awards banquet or a signature catered feast for your team and their families. Just be sure to schedule the event at a convenient time or arrange coverage so everyone can participate.

Appreciate

4. Shout it from the rooftops: Shine a light on your behind-the-scenes stars by sharing your appreciation publicly. Pen a heartfelt thank you message to each staff member on social media, using the hashtag #InternationalHousekeepingWeek to join the conversation. For example, the CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts highlighted staff members and their hard work on LinkedIn.
5. Thank each housekeeper personally: A heartfelt message can go a long way. Write a card for each team member, highlighting something special about them: a positive attitude, a memorable story or their impact on others. Place these cards in lockers or hand-deliver them. It’s all about noticing the little things.
6. Construct a wall of appreciation: Create a visible display of gratitude by posting guest reviews, positive stories and praise from colleagues. This serves as a daily reminder of the impact your team makes, reinforcing their value and inspiring continued excellence. Even better, place this display in guest-facing areas so they, too, can thank housekeepers for their efforts.

Inspire

7. Encourage tipping: Let the appreciation flow all year by launching a digital tipping solution for housekeepers. With a platform like Canary’s, you can have this up and running in no time, making it easier for guests to tip hotel staff. Financial rewards will incentivize your team to work harder and make them feel valued every day.
8. Streamline the department: What better time than National Housekeeping Week to debut a new process that makes their jobs easier? Help your housekeeping teams work better by using contactless checkout technology, which can notify them once a guest has left. You can also introduce new strategies that streamline their workload, like encouraging guests to reuse their towels or investing in better cleaning supplies based on housekeeper recommendations.

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For more on digital tipping, check out Canary’s eBook on the state of tipping in hotels.

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Make National Housekeeping Week Count

As National Housekeeping Week approaches, brainstorm ways to go beyond the usual and truly celebrate the backbone of your hotel. From heartfelt recognition to memorable events, the effort you put into appreciating your housekeeping team will pay off in loyalty, morale and an even better guest experience. 

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To learn how software and products offered by Canary Technologies can help you build inspired and valued teams, schedule a demo today.

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