International Housekeeping Week 2025! Celebrate. Elevate. Empower.

A housekeeper making a bed

Every September, the hospitality industry pauses to honor the heartbeat of our operations—our housekeeping teams. This year why not step up, show up, and truly recognize the people who make our spaces shine? You can use this list as a plug and play or use it as an idea starter. We have compiled some ideas to make your celebration of International Housekeeping week full of true recognition and investment!

This isn’t just a week of cupcakes and compliments. It’s a movement. A bold invitation to transform appreciation into action.

🗓️ The Week at a Glance:

Day 1: “Walk in Their Shoes” Monday

Leaders roll up their sleeves and join the housekeeping team for a few hours. Strip a bed. Clean a bathroom. Stock a cart. Then share the experience in a team huddle or blog post.

💬 Leadership Challenge: Time yourself making a bed-how fast did you do it? Would it pass inspection?

Day 2: “Legacy & Leadership” Tuesday

Host a storytelling panel featuring long-tenured housekeepers. Their wisdom, humor, and resilience are recorded and shared across platforms.

🎤 Bonus: Turn their stories into a mini podcast or video series for onboarding and social media.

Day 3: “Wellness & Worth” Wednesday

Go beyond snacks. Offer financial wellness workshops, mental health check-ins, and a “Recharge Room” with calming music, aromatherapy, and zero interruptions.

🧘 Elevate It: Provide a paid hour off for self-care.

Day 4: “Recognition Reimagined” Thursday

Each leader writes a handwritten letter to every housekeeper, sharing a specific moment they made a difference. Read a few aloud and post them on our “Wall of Impact.”

🏆 Real Recognition: Guest feedback, peer shoutouts, and action photos of the team in motion.

Day 5: “Future Friday”

Announce a new initiative: a professional development fund, cross-training program, or mentorship track for housekeeping staff who want to grow into supervisory or operations roles.

🚀 Ownership Challenge: Match employee contributions to a “Dream Fund” for education, travel, or personal goals.

💡 Bold Enhancements

• “Housekeeper for a Day” Guest Experience: Invite a loyal guest to join the team for a morning and share their appreciation firsthand.

• Live Gratitude Wall: Set up a digital or physical board where guests and staff can post real-time thank-you messages.

• Impact Tracker: Share stats like “Rooms Cleaned,” “Smiles Delivered,” and “Guest Compliments” throughout the week to show the team’s measurable impact.

✨ Final Word

“Appreciation isn’t a cupcake. It’s a commitment.”

This International Housekeeping Week don't just celebrate—invest. In people. In purpose. In the future of hospitality. Because when your team feels seen, heard, and empowered, every guest experience becomes extraordinary. Did one of these suggestions give you a great idea? Share it in the comments section, we will respond. Please take photos and share them in the comments section, we would love to celebrate your investment in your team with you!

Interested in learning more about how to invest in your team? Reach out to me at bill@meltonhospitalityadvisors.com or 610.756.9313.