When I joined Premier Inn almost 13 years ago, I started as a Housekeeper.
I moved here from Peru. Back home, I was an interior designer. When I arrived in England, English wasn’t my first language and hospitality was a new industry for me. But I’ve always loved detail. I’ve always loved creating spaces that feel right for people. So when I applied for a housekeeping role at Premier Inn and was given the opportunity, I took it.
That’s where my journey began.
I started in a 60-bedroom hotel. Today, I’m the Housekeeping Manager at Manchester Piccadilly, a 199-bedroom hotel in the heart of the city. It’s a busy, demanding site – and I love it.
I truly believe you have to start at the beginning to understand a role properly.
As a Housekeeper, you learn what really matters. You understand the pace. You understand the standards. You understand the pride that comes from turning a room around perfectly for the next guest.
From Housekeeper, I progressed to Head Housekeeper. I also spent time as a Duty Manager, which gave me experience of the front-of-house operation. But I chose to come back to housekeeping.
Why? Well because the room is our product. It’s what guests remember. It’s what they judge us on. It’s where they relax, sleep and recharge. If the room isn’t right, nothing else matters.
Housekeeping isn’t just about cleaning rooms. It’s about the details. When a guest walks in and has that ‘PI WOW’ moment – we’ve made that happen.
We are the heart of the hotel. We create that first impression every single day.
One of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to progress is the support I’ve had along the way.
I’ve completed apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3, and I’m now close to finishing my Level 4. The company supported me through every stage. I was able to build my leadership skills, understand the operational side of the business and develop the confidence to manage larger teams and bigger hotels.
The best part? These qualifications were fully supported. I was able to grow while doing my job.
There is so much training available if you want it. You just have to say yes.
I’ve worked across different hotels over the years, including moving into the city centre to gain experience in larger sites. Every move taught me something new. Even now, at Piccadilly, I’m still learning. You never stand still in this business!
At Manchester Piccadilly, I lead a team of 24. For me, housekeeping management is first and foremost a people role.
Yes, you need to be organised. Yes, you need to be hands-on. Yes, you need to solve problems quickly. But above all, you need strong people skills.
How you speak to your team matters. How you support them matters. How you respond when something goes wrong matters.
I’ve always believed that a team reflects its manager. When I managed Princess Street, we built a culture where people supported each other and came to work with a positive mindset. Seeing that environment grow was something I’m very proud of.
But my proudest moments are not awards or metrics.
They are the moments when someone I’ve supported progresses.
When a housekeeper becomes a Head Housekeeper. When a team member steps into a new role because they’ve grown in confidence and skills. That’s where I get my job satisfaction.
When someone in my team progresses, that’s my proudest moment. There are so many opportunities here – and it’s lovely when I’ve been able to help someone take them.
In 13 years, I’ve seen a lot of change. New systems, new standards, new ways of working.
To succeed, you have to be open-minded. Change usually improves things here – for our guests and for our teams. If you embrace it and lead your team through it positively, it becomes an opportunity rather than a challenge.
You also have to love hospitality. If you don’t love it, it can feel hard. I genuinely love this industry. I love working with people. I love creating an environment where guests feel comfortable and cared for.
If someone asked me what I look for in a Housekeeping Manager, I would say:
Strong people skills
A hands-on attitude
Confidence in solving problems
A team-first mindset
Pride in the details
Because it’s not just about cleaning. It’s about standards. It’s about consistency. It’s about creating that perfect bed, that spotless bathroom, that welcoming space.
It’s about understanding that what we do directly impacts how guests feel.
After nearly 13 years, I’m still ambitious.
In the future, I’d love to use my experience to support new hotel openings or help train and develop housekeeping teams across the business. Training is something I’m passionate about. Helping others build skills and confidence is incredibly rewarding.
I started as a housekeeper with English as my second language, in a brand-new country. Today, I manage one of our largest city hotels.
If you’re willing to work hard, stay open to learning and say yes to development opportunities, there is real progression here. Housekeeping is not “just cleaning”. It’s craftsmanship. It’s leadership. It’s pride. And it’s a career you can build on.
Tags: Hotels, Housekeeping, Housekeeper, Head Housekeeper, Housekeeping Manager