Hotel Housekeeper
This page explains the Hotel Housekeeper (Room Attendant) role category in the United States for international candidates. Exact terms (state, start date, schedule, accommodation options, and pay) depend on the hiring employer and seasonality. CV is required for review.
A realistic housekeeping shift (how the day actually feels)
Most shifts begin with a room board: departures first, then stay-overs, then public-area touch points. You stock your cart (linen, towels, amenities), confirm special requests, and start cleaning in a timed sequence.
The goal is simple: rooms that pass inspection without rework. That means consistent details—corners, bathroom fixtures, bed presentation, and correct inventory—while keeping pace.
A hotel housekeeping day is a loop: clean, reset, restock, move. You’ll rotate between full cleans (departures), quick refreshes (stay-overs), and occasional turndown service depending on the property.
Supervisors usually care about two metrics: how many rooms you finish and how many rooms pass without rework. The best housekeepers are fast because they are organized—not because they skip steps.
Most shifts begin with a room board: departures first, then stay-overs, then public-area touch points. You stock your cart (linen, towels, amenities), confirm special requests, and start cleaning in a timed sequence.
The goal is simple: rooms that pass inspection without rework. That means consistent details—corners, bathroom fixtures, bed presentation, and correct inventory—while keeping pace.
In many hotels, your cart is your workstation. A good cart setup saves minutes in every room: correct linen bundles, clearly separated amenities, and a safe way to handle trash and cleaning chemicals.
Guests may be present during stay-over service. Professional behavior matters: knock rules, privacy, and calm communication, even when the schedule is tight.
Typical tasks (Hotel Housekeeper)
- Clean guest rooms: beds, dusting, vacuuming, trash removal, bathroom sanitation
- Reset rooms to brand standard: towels, amenities, linens, presentation details
- Restock supplies and keep cart organized (linen, toiletries, cleaning materials)
- Handle stay-over service and departures (different time and quality expectations)
- Optional duties (property-dependent): turndown service, public-area touch-ups, laundry support
- Follow checklists, safety rules, and chemical-handling procedures
- Prepare: stock cart, verify room board, confirm special requests.
- Clean: bathroom first (sanitize), then bedroom (beds, surfaces, floors).
- Reset: linens, towels, amenities, correct inventory and presentation.
- Finish: final check, report maintenance issues, move to next room.
- Clean guest rooms: beds, dusting, vacuuming, trash removal, bathroom sanitation
- Reset rooms to brand standard: towels, amenities, linens, presentation details
- Restock supplies and keep cart organized (linen, toiletries, cleaning materials)
- Handle stay-over service and departures (different time and quality expectations)
- Optional duties (property-dependent): turndown service, public-area touch-ups, laundry support
- Follow checklists, safety rules, and chemical-handling procedures
Room workflow: sanitize bathroom, reset linens, dust surfaces, vacuum/mop floors, restock amenities.
Quality control: self-inspection before supervisor checks; correct inventory and presentation.
Operations: cart stocking, linen handling, reporting maintenance/safety issues.
Detailed requirements (what employers actually screen for)
- CV in English (mandatory for review)
- Ability to work at a sustained pace with timed rooms and checklists
- Strong attention to detail (bathroom finish, bed presentation, inventory accuracy)
- Physical readiness: frequent walking/standing; bending/stooping; lifting typically 25–50 lb (site-dependent)
- Comfort using standard cleaning chemicals and PPE (gloves, masks if required)
- Reliability: on-time attendance, consistent performance, calm teamwork under pressure
- Availability for rotating shifts; weekends/holidays are common in hospitality
- Professional conduct in guest areas (privacy, knock rules, respectful communication)
Short candidate portrait
Candidates most likely to be shortlisted typically look like this:
- Organized: cart discipline, consistent room sequence, no missed steps
- Fast without shortcuts: rooms pass inspection without rework
- Service-minded: respectful in guest areas, follows privacy rules
- Resilient: steady energy for repetitive work and peak days
- Team-ready: communicates issues early (maintenance, missing inventory, safety)
Realistic gross pay (brutto) and how it varies
Hotel housekeeping wages vary by location and property tier. Public job orders commonly show gross hourly pay from the mid-teens to low/mid-20s. Overtime is typically paid at time-and-a-half when legally required (often after 40 hours/week).
| Example property / market signal | Gross hourly pay shown | What this typically means |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream seasonal hotel (entry-to-experience band) | $15.03–$16.00/hr | Pay increases may depend on prior experience and performance; shifts can be split (AM/PM) depending on occupancy. |
| Performance-based band (common in many listings) | $16.00–$18.00/hr | Some employers advertise optional housing/uniforms/meals; overtime may be available in peak periods. |
| Higher market / returning-worker premium | $18.75/hr up to $22.00/hr | Returning workers or stronger performers can be offered higher wages; weekly hours often start at 35+. |
| High demand housekeeping roles (strong targets + pace) | $20.35/hr | Listings may include productivity targets such as a defined number of rooms and stay-overs per day. |
| Premium resort / luxury market | $23.00–$25.00/hr | High expectations for quality and speed; strong experience and presentation discipline are valued. |
Practical expectation: many Hotel Housekeeper offers cluster around $16–$21 gross/hour, with premium markets reaching $23–$25. Your confirmed offer is stated in the employer’s documentation after matching.
Working conditions in the USA (what to expect)
- Fast pace: rooms are timed; rework lowers your daily output
- Physical work: bending, lifting linen, pushing carts, long periods of walking
- Shift reality: mornings and afternoons are common; weekends/holidays are typical
- Guest interaction: polite communication and privacy rules matter
- Safety: chemical handling, wet floors, proper PPE, and safe lifting technique
H-2B job-term topics to confirm in documents
H-2B job orders commonly include written terms about guaranteed hours, reimbursements, and travel rules. Confirm details during the documentation stage.
- Three-fourths guarantee: minimum hours offered within defined periods
- Reimbursements: visa/processing fees timing (often early in employment)
- Travel/subsistence rules: inbound/outbound arrangements (policy-dependent)
- Housing: may be optional, free, or paid depending on employer (not universal)
- Uniforms/tools: what is provided vs. what you must bring
Next steps
- Create/upload your CV (English) and verify contact details.
- MaViAl reviews role fit and confirms available employers/projects.
- If shortlisted, you proceed to interview and documentation steps.
FAQ (Hotel Housekeeper — USA)
What is the difference between a Hotel Housekeeper and a Room Attendant?
What is a realistic gross pay range?
How many rooms per day can be expected?
What should I include in my CV to be reviewed faster?
Do I need hotel experience to apply?
What does “inspection” mean in housekeeping?
Are tips guaranteed?
What shift patterns are most common?
What makes a candidate successful in hotel housekeeping?
What are common physical requirements?
Is overtime possible?
What should I do before applying?
What is the difference between a Hotel Housekeeper and a Room Attendant?
What is a realistic gross pay range?
How many rooms per day can be expected?
What should I include in my CV to be reviewed faster?
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Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.