Careers

Housekeeping

The Spencer Hotel & Spa is seeking a housekeeper and server. A brief overview about the Spencer Hotel: Our literary-themed 25-room hotel and four season resort is located in the heart of Chautauqua Institution. We offer a truly intimate setting with gracious service provided by our dedicated and empowered staff.

Position Duties Include:

• Serving breakfast
• Breakfast pre work
• Setting tables
• Assisting guests
• Cleaning kitchen, dining room, and lobby
• Housekeeping

You have a very important job! Our guests really expect and appreciate the “behind the scenes” work that you are about to do. Since all our rooms are different here at the Spencer, I have provided you with this book as a reference for cleaning. I tried to be very specific when it comes to cleaning from Left to Right.

However, I feel it’s important to note a few key points that should be the same for any room that you may be cleaning.

• Kitchenettes– Al kitchenettes have their own silverware and china. We want to make sure that it is clean for our guests, however we also want to make sure that all the matching china stays in the room it’s supposed to be in. There is soap and a dish towel underneath each sink.
• Fridges– Always check and be sure that they are turned to zero. Upon check-in the person taking them to their room turns it on to 1.
• Glasses– Be sure that the glasses in the bathrooms and the wine glasses are all clean, dried and have been turned upside down.
• Robes– Only during the Chautauqua season should these be out. Robes should be folded in the “Spencer Style” and be sure to always have two in each room.
• Beds– Most of our rooms have king beds. 110 and 210 are the only 2 twin bedrooms we have. 201,308, and 408 are double beds and 407 is a queen bed. Make beds as instructed as well as placing decorative pillows as instructed also.
• Hangers– There should be 8-10 hangers in each room. They should all be matching. (Blondes with Blondes, Brunettes with Brunettes etc.)
• Garbage Bags– Try to keep an extra garbage bag at the bottom of each garbage can.
• Linens– Sheets or towels with spots are not to be used in the rooms. If they have spots, please replace them with new linens and put the spotted ones in a bag. Al bedspreads get spot treatment with shout.
• Items– Please be respectful of the guests’ and other employees’ items. We are to be helpful and not intrusive to the guests. If they leave any items behind in their rooms, please bring them to the front desk and note what room they came from.
• Broken– The front desk needs to be notified whenever any items are missing or broken.
• Curtains– Don’t forget to check all curtains for spots. Be sure curtains and blinds are at “Half Staff”. We’ll go over this with you.
• Housekeeping Cupboards– Please keep the housekeeping cupboards in good order. We encourage our employees to bring bottled water so that you may stay hydrated during the day. However, these cupboards are not to be used for personal use. Food and other drinks than water are not to be on the foors.
• Smile– This should be a good general rule. We hope everyone enjoys working here and have come to find that smiling is very contagious!!
• Lamps– Make sure they are all plugged in and functioning correctly.
• 3 Bags– You should have three bags with you when cleaning a room. One bag for towels, one bag for sheets, and one for trash.
• Sprays-Vinegar water, ammonia, and scrubbing bubbles are the ONLY cleaner we use
• Glassware– Glassware should NEVER leave the room. There should be dish soap and a hand towel underneath the sink.
• Blankets– Al blankets are kept underneath the beds. Summer blankets are underneath the bed in the winter and winter blankets are kept underneath the bed in the summer.
• Laundry-All spots on towels, hand towels, bath mats, and washcloths are treated with shout.

Cleaning The Room Example:

You enter with three bags, 1 for soiled linen, 1 for soiled towels, and 1 for garbage. Close the door. Start to the left and clean whatever is in front of you. Making the bed, cleaning the bathroom, checking the dresser for anything that’s been left behind. Clean the glass tabletop, dusting the window sills and woodwork. Cleaning the Jacuzzi tub, then turning on the water to see that the water is clear before turning it back off. Cleaning the kitchenette, washing the dishes, silverware, and glasses, never removing from this room! There is a towel and soap under the sink for cleaning purposes. Run the vacuum. Do you know what room you just made up? Room 207 Agatha Christy, but all rooms are made the same way starting on the left. You will get instructions on how to make up the bed and how to clean the bathroom. Now the room is beautiful you are a success! Now you are ready for the next room, take your three bags, vacuum cleaner, and supply caddy. Remember to take everything with you and close the door. Remember your transformation is YOUR secret! Continue this way and you’ll be a huge success with your guests and making them happy!!