Difference Between Room Attendant and Housekeeper

Key Difference – Room Attendant vs Housekeeper
 

The two positions, room attendant and housekeeper, can be quite confusing since housekeeper can refer to two positions. One of these positions is the same as room attendants, but the other position has more authority and prestige. Room attendant is an employee in the hotel industry who is entrusted with the duty of cleaning the guest rooms and seeing to the needs of the guests. In the hotel industry, housekeeper is the same as room attendant; however, housekeeper can also refer to an employee who manages a great household. This is the key difference between room attendant and housekeeper.

CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Who is a Room Attendant
3. Who is a Housekeeper
4. Side by Side Comparison – Room Attendant vs Housekeeper

Who is a Room Attendant?

A room attendant is an employee hired to provide comfort and guide to guests in hotels, motels, inns, lodges and other establishments providing accommodation for guests. The main duty of a room attendant is making sure that the guestrooms and public areas of the property are cleaned properly. A room attendant is also known as room boys (males), maids and housekeepers in the hospitality industry.

Large hotels employ many room attendants, and the workload of a room attendant may depend on factors such as the number of rooms, the size of the room, the number of beds, etc.

Duties of a Room Attendant

The duties of a room attendant generally involves

• Making beds, changing beds, replacing used towels and toiletries
• Cleaning the bathroom
• Vacuuming and cleaning the room
• Delivering and retrieving loan items to guests (e.g. iron, hair dryers, etc.)
• Ensuring the security and privacy of the guests
• Cleaning and maintaining the public areas of the property

Room attendants should always be friendly, polite and pleasant since they represent the image of the establishment. They must be also capable of answering guest requests and complaints.

Who is a Housekeeper?

The job title housekeeper may sometimes be confusing since it can refer to two similar positions. In tourism and hospitality industry, housekeeper refers to an employee who performs cleaning and other domestic tasks in a hotel. This is the same as a room attendant.

However, housekeeper in a large household is a person who is employed to manage the household. Housekeepers were a common position in large households with many servants. Housekeepers in great houses were responsible for the supervision of other domestic workers.  This position was usually held by an experienced female. The majority of the maids in the house were under the supervision of the housekeeper whereas the male staff were supervised by butlers. The housekeeper generally reported to the lady of the house. She also had the authority to hire and fire junior staff.

What is the difference between Room Attendant and Housekeeper?

Room Attendant vs Housekeeper
Room attendant is an employee in the hotel industry who is entrusted with the duty of cleaning the guest rooms and seeing to the needs of the guests.	Housekeeper in the hotel industry is the same as a room attendant, but housekeeper in a large household refers to the employee who manages the household.
Duties
Room attendant duties involve cleaning the guest rooms, replenishing supplies, cleaning bathrooms and public areas, and seeing to the needs of the guests.	Housekeeper’s (household) duties involve managing the household and supervising the servants.
Workplace
Room attendants are found in hotels, motels, inns, lodges, etc.	Housekeepers are either found in large households or in the hotel industry.
Hierarchy
Room attendants report to the head of housekeeping or housekeeping supervisor.	Housekeepers report to the lady of the house; female staff report to the housekeeper.

Image Courtesy:

“Dallas Maids Housekeeper” By GregsMojo – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

“The Housekeeper – Nicolaes Maes” By Nicolaes Maes – Corel Professional Photos CD-ROM (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia