25 years is a long time - This month, our Housekeeper of the Month has spent 25 years in the field of housekeeping, paving the way with dedication, blending operational precision with leadership and creativity, steadily mentoring and developing his team and passionately advocating for sustainability and adapting luxury standards across cultures. This month, we shine a spotlight on the incredible journey of SARAVANAN ALAGAPPAN, DIRECTOR OF HOUSEKEEPING AT NIKKI BEACH RESORT AND SPA DUBAI from a Public Area Attendant to Director of Housekeeping across brands like Taj, Raffles, Kempinski, Conrad, and Le Meridien. Alagappan has led six pre-opening projects, three of which were in Dubai and describes his tenure at Nikki Beach since 2014, his longest and most impactful one.

What made him stand out from the crowd was his pursuit of impeccability in the smallest details and his love for building housekeeping teams and systems from scratch to empower people. As they say, when you love your job, the sky is the limit. Let us see how Alagappan’s journey unfolded.

How did you begin your career and how have you grown since then?
Since graduating with my hotel management course in 2001, I have dedicated my career to mastering the art of housekeeping operations. Over these remarkable 25 years, I've had the privilege of contributing to world-renowned hospitality brands including Taj, Le Meridien, Raffles, Conrad, Kempinski, and currently Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, while gaining international experience across multiple markets.

My journey began at the foundation level as a Public Area Attendant, where I developed my passion for impeccable cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Through persistent effort and continuous learning, I progressively rose through the ranks to achieve my current position as Director of Housekeeping at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai - a role I've proudly held since 2014, making this my longest and most impactful tenure.

A particular point of professional pride has been my participation in six pre-opening projects throughout my career, including three here in Dubai's dynamic hospitality market. These challenging yet rewarding experiences have honed my skills in establishing operational standards, building high-performing teams, and implementing best practices from day one.

This journey has taught me that excellence in housekeeping is not just about cleanliness, but about creating memorable guest experiences through attention to detail, leadership, and operational innovation. I remain as passionate today about elevating housekeeping standards as I was when I first entered this rewarding profession.

What is the best part about your job?

The best part of being a Director of Housekeeping is the unique blend of operational excellence, team leadership, and creative problem-solving that makes every day rewarding. Housekeeping is the heartbeat of hospitality—guests remember a spotless room, crisp linens, and thoughtful touches. Knowing my team’s work directly impacts their comfort and loyalty is incredibly motivating. I love developing talent, from training new attendants to grooming future supervisors. Seeing my team grow in skill and confidence—and even surpass me—is one of my proudest achievements. Every day brings new challenges: tight turnarounds, VIP arrivals, or sustainability initiatives. I thrive on optimizing processes (like green cleaning programs or smart inventory systems) to elevate efficiency without compromising quality. Great housekeeping is often unnoticed because it’s flawless. But when a guest mentions how our attention to detail made their stay special, or when our scores reflect their satisfaction—that’s the ultimate win. Working across brands like Raffles, Conrad, and Nikki Beach has taught me how luxury varies by culture. Adapting standards while maintaining brand DNA keeps the role exciting.

What drives your career?
What drives my career is a deep-rooted passion for creating perfection in the unseen details—the ones that make all the difference in luxury hospitality. 

Housekeeping is an art where 99% is never enough—it’s about that 1% extra: a perfectly folded corner, a scent that lingers just right, or anticipating a guest’s unspoken need. That relentless chase for flawlessness excites me. I’m driven by the chance to elevate not just spaces, but people. Turning a housekeeping team into a proud, empowered unit—where attendants see career paths and take ownership—is my way of leaving a mark beyond linen counts or inspection scores. Having worked across cultures, I’m obsessed with how luxury translates differently—a Raffles suite’s heritage demands different care than Nikki Beach’s breezy glamour. Adapting while maintaining universal standards keeps me curious. There’s nothing like the adrenaline of building a housekeeping department from zero—hiring the first team, testing pillow plumpness, or scripting room-attendant greetings. It’s where systems meet soul. At its core, my drive comes from knowing that in hospitality, housekeeping isn’t a backstage function—it’s the silent script of a guest’s experience. Every day is a chance to rewrite it beautifully.

The Best Housekeeping Practice You Implement?

One of the most sustainable housekeeping practices I've championed is our innovative Linen Rebirth Program, where we transform discarded linens into valuable reusable assets while minimizing waste across operations.

Key Initiatives:

1. Linen Upcycling System
• Convert retired king-size duvet covers into twin duvet covers through precise re-stitching
• Repurpose worn bedsheets into pillowcases or cleaning cloths
• Donate excess upcycled linens to staff housing or local charities(Dr.Linen)
2. Full-Cycle Paper Product Utilization
• Collect partially used toilet rolls from guest rooms for BOH (back-of-house) staff washrooms
• Reuse tissue boxes in administrative offices and service areas

This practice not only supports our eco-goals but also fosters a culture of resourcefulness among staff. Many team members now contribute creative ideas for repurposing materials, making sustainability a shared mission.

Why do you think training in housekeeping is important?

Training in housekeeping is the backbone of operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and team empowerment—

A single stray hair or smudged mirror can tarnish a brand’s reputation. Training ensures every attendant replicates the same flawless execution, whether making a bed or arranging amenities.  At properties like Raffles or Nikki Beach, turndown rituals differ. Training aligns staff with unique brand protocols (e.g., scent choices, pillow menus). Misuse of cleaners can harm staff or damage surfaces. Proper training prevents accidents (e.g., bleach mixing disasters). Supervisors trained in conflict resolution and inventory software rise faster. My own journey from attendant to director began with cross-training.

Your Advice to youngsters who are starting their journey in housekeeping?

Start with Pride, Not Just a Job

• Housekeeping isn’t "just cleaning"—it’s craftsmanship. The perfect hospital corner, the scent of fresh linen, the art of invisible service—these details define luxury. Own your role with passion. Don’t just make beds—understand how thread count affects sleep quality. Don’t just arrange amenities—know how their placement impacts guest convenience. Curiosity turns routine into expertise. Champion green practices (e.g., upcycling linen, water-saving tricks). Sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s the future.

I started as an attendant; now I lead a team at a global resort. Your journey could take you to yacht housekeeping, safari lodges, or even consulting. The skills you master here are universal.

Final Thought: Housekeeping is a stepping stone, not a ceiling. The discipline, attention to detail, and work ethic you develop will serve you anywhere in hospitality—or beyond.