What does a room attendant do?

A room attendant helps to keep hospitality sites looking clean and to a high standard for guests. Providing guests with a positive experience of the site, room attendants are good communicators, discrete and polite, and have good attention to detail when it comes to cleaning. Being a room attendant is therefore a customer-facing role and room attendants know how to forward any guest queries or complaints to their supervisor. Room attendants follow company procedures, including rules about health and safety.

Room attendant skills and qualifications

Working at a hotel, lodge, holiday resort or other hospitality establishment, room attendants are often the face of their workplace. As they are responsible for keeping guest rooms and public spaces tidy, they often need good attention to detail when it comes to spaces around them as well as personal appearance. A good room attendant is conscientious about the needs of guests and can pass on any messages from guests to the correct manager. When writing a job description for a room attendant, employers might include the following skills and qualifications:

• Can work alone and as part of a team
• Works with supervisor feedback
• Can prioritise tasks, cleans quickly and efficiently
• Has some degree of flexibility and is able to work part-time
• Is polite and friendly to guests

Room attendant experience requirements

To become a room attendant, candidates do not usually have to have any specific formal qualifications. However, some prior experience of the role itself might be desirable for employers looking to hire room attendants who do not need much training. Candidates might also have other customer-facing hospitality experience or cleaning experience. This is because some of this experience gives them the tools they need to perform many of the duties of a room attendant.

Room attendant education and training requirements

Although there is no single path to becoming a room attendant, some candidates may have completed a college course or apprenticeship relating to hospitality or cleaning. Some of these courses include a Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, a Level 1 Diploma in Preparing for a Career in the Hospitality Industry or Level 1 Cleaning Services. Other courses that employers might look for from candidates include ones relating to housekeeping or the service industry.

Room attendant salary expectations

According to Indeed UK salaries, the average salary of a room attendant is £18,837 per year. Salary may depend on the exact job duties and responsibilities, the employer, location and experience.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a room attendant is not quite what you’re looking for, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs: 

• Housekeeper
• Housekeeping
• Hotel Manager
• Hotel Receptionist

Room attendant job description FAQs

Who does a room attendant report to?

A room attendant usually reports to a head attendant or manager.

How do you make your room attendant job description stand out?

When hiring for a room attendant, consider clearly stating information such as salary expectations, pension plans or any other benefits of the role. Employers might want to specify the kind of personality they are looking for, including qualities like friendliness, helpfulness and a can-do attitude. A good job description might include whether the company offers training on the job.

What qualities make a good room attendant?

As being a room attendant requires keeping guest rooms to a high standard, they are often neat and tidy. This means that they are able to quickly spot if something is out of place, or if there are stains on fabric or other material. They also understand how to make beds or tidy areas in a way that is pleasing and presentable for guests. Room attendants sometimes meet guests, so it is important for them to have a friendly and helpful disposition. This is because they are the face of a hospitality company and can leave a lasting impression on guests.

What makes a good room attendant job description?

Make sure to include the title of the role clearly in the job description. It is useful for candidates to be able to search for the term easily and for the title to not be too obscure or dissimilar to the job description. A good room attendant job description is usually concise and is written in clear language. Employers should consider including any highly desirable skills and qualifications here as well.