When you're on vacation, little is more depressing than returning to a filthy hotel room. What should your hotel's housekeeping service provide?
Housekeeping services should be available on demand: That means any hotel should have a 24-hour housekeeping operator, and he or she should answer the phone within three rings. You should receive your services within 20 minutes of your request.
Bedding should be freshened up: Housekeeping should fold back or remove your bedspread. Pillows should be turned up and fluffed. Soiled linens should always be removed and replaced.
The living area should be cleaned, but housekeeping shouldn't disturb your personal items unless you say so: Your floors should be picked up and vacuumed, of course. Wastebaskets should be emptied, used glasses should be replaced, and drapes should be adjusted. However, your personal items should remain undisturbed. You shouldn't return to your room and have to worry about locating your stuff.
Bathrooms should DEFINITELY be cleaned: This is a no-brainer: soiled surfaces in your bathroom should be sprayed down and scrubbed. Used towels should be replaced. (However, some "green" hotels ask that you hang up towels you want reuse and place your used, unwanted ones in the bathtub.) Depleted amenities like toothpaste, soap, and shampoo should be replaced. And yes, it may seem trivial, but tissues should be re-pointed.
Personalized touches are essential: After all, your hotel room will be your home for your stay. Quality hotels always provide gift amenities such as chocolates, mints, and even gestures like personalized welcome messages and goodnight wishes. Other personalized services should also be available on request.
