Senthilkumar Bangarusamy's Housekeeping journey is a testament to dedication and excellence. With over two decades of experience in prestigious international hotels, his career began in Club Mahindra Holidays, leading to pivotal roles in Denis Private Island Seychelles and diverse positions across renowned chains like Accor, Taj, and ITC hotels. Spearheading three prominent pre-opening projects globally, Senthilkumar's expertise extends across luxury resorts and 5-star properties. His unwavering commitment and expertise in Housekeeping continue to shine at Cantonal Hotel by Warwick in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a journey characterized by unparalleled dedication to hospitality and operational brilliance.

Tell us about yourself
Currently, I serve as the Executive Housekeeper at Cantonal Hotel by Warwick (Warwick Group of Hotels) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a cumulative experience of 19 years in the hospitality industry, my journey has been enriched by diverse roles. Previously, I contributed my expertise to Elaf Group of Hotels in Riyadh, notably at Joudyan Hotel, the flagship property where I actively participated in its pre-opening phase. This luxurious property boasted 276 rooms and represented an exciting chapter in my career.

Over the past 19 years, I've held pivotal roles, commanding the Housekeeping departments in esteemed establishments. For 13 years, I've been entrusted with leadership responsibilities in various renowned hotels such as Elaf Group of Hotels, Accor Hotels, Taj Group of Hotels, Sarovar Group of Hotels, ITC Hotels, and Denis Private Island in Seychelles. These roles have not only honed my skills but also provided me with rich experiences across different hospitality landscapes, nurturing a deep understanding of operational excellence in this dynamic industry.

How did you begin your career in Housekeeping and how have you grown since then?
In 2002, I embarked on my academic journey, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Catering Science and Hotel Management. Among the four primary operational departments, I specialized in Housekeeping. My professional odyssey commenced as a Guest Service Associate at Club Mahindra Holidays, a distinguished 5-star luxury resort, in 2005. Subsequently, I ventured into diverse roles within several esteemed international hotels, nurturing a multifaceted career path.

The pivotal turn came in 2011 when I assumed the role of Head Housekeeper at Denis Private Island in Seychelles, marking a significant milestone in my career. Throughout my journey, I've had the privilege of spearheading the opening of three notable pre-opening projects, encompassing Housekeeping and Laundry management. These ventures spanned across two international locations and one in India, each adding a distinctive chapter to my professional repertoire.

Currently, I contribute my expertise to Cantonal Hotel by Warwick (Warwick Group of Hotels) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as I continue to channel my passion and dedication within the realm of hospitality and Housekeeping excellence.

What drives you and your career?

• Professional Growth and Working as a Team
• Providing Excellent Customer Service
•  Ambitious Goals and Creativity
• Motivated by Solving Problems

The best housekeeping practices you follow

• Have preventive maintenance programmed for all equipment.
• Keep appropriate signs like “Wet Floor”; “Engineering at Work”, labels for detergents and toxic material, safety instructions on equipment, “
• Organize continuous safety training. Involve experts like the equipment manufacturers, Engineering to take classes on fire safety etc.
• Not to stack anything in the corridors.
• Terrorism is a concern for all public buildings. Hotels are prime targets. Housekeeping personnel are trained to report suspicious objects, drugs, and excess money lying in the room, arms and bomb-like structures to the security.
• Ensure that toxic chemicals are stored in closed cupboards and properly labeled.
• Ensure that all waste disposal containers are leak proof and maintained in sanitary conditions. Waste disposal external to the building must be in a designated municipal area and with concern for public health. The recycled items are put in their appropriate containers

The biggest challenges in housekeeping today

The hospitality industry has faced unique challenges in the past few years, especially with their housekeeping services. here are some of the key challenges that hotel housekeeping managers are facing today:

• Increasing Guest Expectations: Guests are coming to hotels with higher expectations for their stay than ever before. Even as the number of cases have dropped, consumer anxieties around cleanliness and hygiene have remained, especially in shared public spaces like hotels. As such, guests expect rooms to be properly sanitized and disinfected prior to their arrival, and they expect common areas to be pristine
• Operational Challenges: Housekeeping managers face operational challenges such as scheduling, staffing, and training. These challenges can be exacerbated by high staff turnover rates and low staff engagement.
• Environmental Sustainability: Environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the hospitality industry. Housekeeping managers are expected to reduce waste, save water, and save energy
• New Technologies: The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, and new technologies are emerging to help housekeeping managers improve their operations. However, implementing new technologies can be challenging, especially for smaller hotels.

Cleaning technologies you use and what you would like to implement in the future

Many cleaning operations are adopting new technologies to achieve higher levels of cleaning and to show their customers they are committed to using the latest advances to ensure clean, safe, and healthy indoor environments . Electrostatic spraying is one of the emerging cleaning technologies that many Hotels and FM use. Electrostatic spraying applies a small electrical charge to aerosols passing through its nozzle. These charged droplets easily adhere to environmental surfaces. Surfaces must be cleaned before the disinfectant mist is applied with an electrostatic sprayer for the disinfectant to be effective. Sprayer types range from handheld units and self-contained backpacks to variations of rolling cart systems, or a combination of the two. Some sprayers are battery-powered, while others are corded, but both are designed to positively charge the liquid solution. Electrostatic sprayers can be used to apply disinfectants to all types of surfaces—walls, floors, counters, chairs, and tables—and even fabrics and plastic.

Sustainable cleaning practices you implement

Green cleaning is a method of cleaning that uses products and techniques that are environmentally friendly and promote health and well-being. It involves using non-toxic, biodegradable, and sustainable cleaning products and reducing the use of harmful chemicals and disposable materials.

If you’re interested in developing a green cleaning program, you can begin by setting goals and using non-toxic, biodegradable, and sustainable cleaning products. You can also reduce the use of harmful chemicals and disposable materials by opting for reusable cleaning cloths and microfiber cloths, which work especially well for polishing surfaces and trapping dirt or dust

Your take on training the cleaning workforce

• Give them the right tools and training resources to hit the ground running and grow into their role: Provide new cleaners with a training schedule, and offer additional education and courses. You can also develop standard operating procedures, create job forms and checklists, and write an employee handbook. 
• Empower them to build long-term client relationships: Your cleaners are more than your employees; they are your brand ambassadors. Therefore, when you train your cleaning staff, it’s important that you do it right. You can empower them to build long-term client relationships by giving them opportunities to practice people skills. 

The best part about your job

Everybody’s perception is that the housekeeping department is a cleaning department. I would like to change that and say our department shapes the guest’s memories about the hotel.

The fact that we can make the experience for guest’s far more valuable by providing a perfect personalised service, sometimes even takes him by surprise in giving unexpected service.

Your advice to youngsters who are starting their journey in housekeeping

You’re starting your journey in housekeeping, here are some tips to help you succeed:

1. Develop a positive attitude: Housekeeping can be a challenging job, but it’s important to maintain a positive attitude. A positive attitude can help you stay motivated and focused, even when the work is difficult.
2. Be detail-oriented: Attention to detail is crucial in housekeeping. You need to be able to spot dirt and grime that others might miss. Being detail-oriented will help you do your job more effectively.
3. Be organized: Housekeeping requires a lot of organization. You need to be able to keep track of cleaning schedules, supplies, and equipment. Being organized will help you stay on top of your work and ensure that everything gets done on time.
4. Be a good communicator: Communication is key in housekeeping. You need to be able to communicate effectively with your coworkers and supervisors to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Good communication skills will help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is working together effectively.
5. Be willing to learn: Housekeeping is a constantly evolving field, and there is always something new to learn. Be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. This will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the field.
6. Take pride in your work: Housekeeping is an important job, and it’s important to take pride in your work. When you do your job well, you’re helping to create a clean and safe environment for others. Taking pride in your work will help you stay motivated and focused.