organizationalstructureandinterdepartmentalrelations(I)

For the housekeeping department to run with the precision of a Swiss watch, it needs a clear organizational structure and, above all, constant and fluid communication with the rest of the hotel's departments.

It is an area that cannot operate in isolation; its effectiveness depends on the information it receives and its ability to coordinate with other teams, thus guaranteeing a seamless quality of service.

The Department's Organizational Chart

The structure of the housekeeping department is hierarchical and functional in nature. At the head of the entire team is the Housekeeper, who is ultimately responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising the work.

Under her command, the department is usually divided into three large areas or subdepartments, each with a supervisor or manager.

The Linen-Laundry area handles the entire hotel linen cycle: it plans the work, controls the machinery and products, and is in charge of cleaning and maintaining the linen in the rooms, restaurant, kitchen, and staff uniforms, in addition to managing guest linen and its corresponding billing.

The Housekeeping area includes the chambermaids and focuses on preparing the rooms, checking the linen, restocking bathroom items, managing the minibar, and registering forgotten objects.

Finally, the Common Areas Cleaning area is responsible for cleaning and supervising all public areas of the establishment.

Synergy with The Reception Department

The Reception Department is the nerve center of the hotel and the main point of contact with the guest.

It acts as the nervous system of the establishment, coordinating information between guests and the rest of the departments.

Its key functions include:

• Managing reservations, check-in and check-out: Manages the arrival and departure of guests.
• Customer service and information: Answers questions and offers information about the hotel and its surroundings.
• Billing and currency exchange: Manages collections and other monetary services.
• Control of the telephone switchboard: Channels all incoming and outgoing calls.

This department usually operates in three shifts (morning, afternoon and night) to guarantee 24-hour coverage.

The relationship between floors and reception is perhaps the most critical and dynamic in the hotel.

The housekeeper must maintain constant communication with the head of reception, as this department is the primary source of information for daily planning.

Reception must inform the housekeeping department about occupancy forecasts, scheduled arrivals and departures for the day, guests already staying, and any unforeseen situations, such as stay extensions or room changes.

In return, the housekeeping department is responsible for keeping the reception area and its staff's uniforms in impeccable condition.

Summary

The housekeeping department has a hierarchical structure led by the housekeeper. It is divided into three main areas: Linen-Laundry, Housekeeping, and Common Area Cleaning.

The reception department is the nerve center of the hotel, managing reservations, check-in/out, and customer service. It operates in three shifts to ensure 24-hour coverage.

The relationship between floors and reception is the most critical and dynamic in the hotel. Reception provides floors with vital information for daily planning, such as occupancy forecasts.