Alya Miranti Azzahra

Throughout the history, hospitality has been one of the most dynamic industries that underwent significant changes to develop into its current state. There are many positive and negative factors that influenced the course of its development over time such as the introduction of modern technologies or the outbreak of world wars to name a few. When we talk about the hospitality industry through, we tend to overlook the importance of key players that have long contributed to the growth and prosperity of the hospitality industry. Yes, I am referring to women.

There is no doubt that women have always had a crucial part to play in the hospitality industry. However, their contributions became more apparent and recognized starting in the last century as they took on more roles in all aspects of hotel operations. For example, some women worked as “bell girls” in the 1930 and 1940 as most men were recruited for the army.

With the advent of feministic idealogy, the awareness of women’s rights spread across the globe and inspired many to take action toward gender equality in the workspace, especially in the hospitality industry. One of the unique innovations the movement led to was the women-only hotels which we will cover later in this article.

Our article today will show you women’s history and their roles in the hospitality industry, starting from the past to the present. You will also get inspiration from featured successful women hoteliers and get to know the stories of female-only hotels worldwide!

Women’s History in Hospitality

An illustration of a bar maid. (via Brookston Beer Bulletin) 

Since the Middle Ages, women have played a central role in the hospitality industry by providing services like serving meals and making beds for guests at inns. These women were often widows or unmarried, and working at inns was a way for them to support themselves and their families. This tradition continued into the 18th and 19th centuries when women occupied the same roles across hotels and other similar establishments. During World War II, women again made crucial contributions to the hospitality industry by working as cooks and waitresses (mostly in military facilities), while some handled more physically straining tasks to keep hotels running.

Women’s roles in hospitality started to shift after the rise of awareness towards women’s rights and equality, which is commonly known as feminism. This movement aimed to achieve gender equality and improve the lives of women as a social group, putting an end to sexism and discrimination.

Demonstration about feminism movement.

Feminism heavily influenced many industries’ lives, including hospitality as their roles were no longer limited or seen as insignificant. Nowadays, women are equally the driving force of the industry and are given the same opportunities for advancement, leadership, and salaries as men.

Women in the hospitality business undoubtedly still face challenges despite all the positive changes. However, the future of the hospitality industry is promising for people of all genders, races, and backgrounds as it continues to develop and promote equality for all.

Successful Women Hoteliers in The Hospitality Industry

Despite all the difficulties, women continue to advance by becoming successful and gaining recognition for their roles in the industry. The majority of them have also left their marks in the history of hospitality as leaders and creators of their own hotels, and we hope to celebrate their accomplishments and encourage our readers to follow in their footsteps in the dynamic and diverse hospitality industry. Below, we have featured some of the influential female hoteliers and their stories, to inspire our audience with their success!

Alex & Olga Polizzi (Co-Founders of The Polizzi Collection)

Alex and Olga Polizzi, co-founders of The Polizzi Collection. (via Boutique Hotelier)

The mother, Olga, is a renowned interior designer and hotelier, while her daughter, Alex, is the presenter of The Hotel Inspector. They opened Hotel Endsleigh together in 2005. Years later, they acquired The Star hotel, which had been renovated from an old hotel built in 1345. It features a 30-bedroom hotel with Olga’s signature design flair and casual dining space. The release of The Star itself coincides with the launch of The Polizzi Collection, their official joint venture.

Emma Stratton (Owner of Red Hotels)

Emma Stratton, the owner of Red Hotels. (via Boutique Hotelier)

The Scarlet and Bedruthan in Cornwall are part of Red Hotels by Emma Stratton. Emma, who wished to change the traditional hotel model, launched The Scarlet in 2009 with two colleagues after an eight-year planning process and a £12.5 million investment. The hotels continued to promote sustainability in their operations, and for the past five years, they have consistently maintained an occupancy rate between 86% and 89% while leading the industry in terms of sustainable business practices.

Angela Harper (Owner of Palé Hall)

Angela Harper, the owner of Palé Hall. (via Boutique Hotelier)

Angela Harper is a former head teacher. In 2016, she opened Palé Hall in Wales with her husband, Alan. They spent 12 months renovating the Grade II-listed building they acquired into a beautiful 16-bedroom hotel called Palé Hall. One year after its opening, Palé Hall was awarded an AA five-star rating, the first in North Wales to get that award in a decade. Its fine dining restaurant, Henry Robertson, was given a Michelin Green Star due to its eco achievements. Angela’s collaboration with her husband has helped Palé Hall retain its commitment to excellence ever since.

Women-Only Hotels around the World

Since the first women’s hotel opened, the concept of women-only accommodations has become a trend in the hospitality industry. These hotels cater exclusively to women, offering them a welcoming, cozy, and safe place to remain while traveling to new places. Below, we have compiled a list of women-only hotels from around the world that will give insights and that would be interesting enough to be recommended to our female readers!

Bay Hotel

Interior of Bay Hotel in Japan. (via Bay Hotel)

Located in Japan, the Bay Hotel is a “capsule hotel” with compact space. Its contemporary style is perfect for female guests that travel from city to city, and its number of single beds will definitely make the ladies feel at home!

Som Dona Hotel

A pool in Som Dona Hotel, Spain. (via Going Luxury) 

This is the first women’s hotel in Mallorca, Spain! It has 39 rooms with boutique feels and a range of other amenities provided for guests who are women aged 14 and over. A unique thing about this hotel is that it operates a “no men allowed” policy.

Media One Hotel

Media One Hotel in Dubai. (via Media One Hotel)

In 2018, Media One in Dubai opened a women-only floor in their hotel, which was designed with the “girl’s trip” concept. Staying here includes varying perks, from welcome beauty kits and a list of restaurant discounts for women to a collection of books by inspirational female authors! The concept and benefits offered make this hotel a worthy choice for ladies who are traveling solo or in a group around Dubai.

SuperShe Island Retreats

An outside view in SuperShe Island Retreats. (via USA Today)

SuperShe is a privately owned island located off the coast of Finland. It is a small, 8.4-acre island, big enough to house just eight people. The island is used for women’s retreats and networking spaces, complete with wellness retreat activities like spa treatments and dedicated bonding time. Only those lucky enough to pass the application process can enjoy a comfortable stay in this gem of accommodation!

Bliss Sanctuary for Women

A view from Bali’s Bliss Sanctuary for Women. (via Bliss Sanctuary for Women)

If you are looking for a peaceful environment with a lot of wellness, Bliss Sanctuary for Women, which is located in Bali, would be a worthy choice. It offers delicious local cuisines, pools that are surrounded by a captivating jungle, and a variety of wellness options that can help guests unwind while spending quality time.

Wrapping Up

Women have played a vital role in the hospitality industry ever since its early rise by providing comfort to guests during their stay. Despite facing challenges, women continue to make significant contributions to the industry, achieving success across the board.

Beyond this Women’s History Month, we would also like to continue supporting women’s roles in the hospitality industry, and by promoting diversity and inclusivity, we can create a more vibrant, dynamic, and innovative hospitality industry that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of all.

RMC Asia has been committed to the mission of providing inclusive hospitality internships for students and graduates from diverse backgrounds since 2014. Our internship programs are available for candidates all around the world, with destinations in various prestigious hotels and resorts across Asia. The practical work environment, combined with cultural exchange experiences, will give our participants room to grow their capabilities for future careers in the hospitality industry!

Be a part of an unforgettable internship experience and achieve your successful hospitality career with us now!

Recommended: Journey Through Dine-In History: The Birth of Restaurants

Eating at restaurants has always been a thing since long ago! In the past, it began when people bought snacks from street vendors or had meals at inns and other public eateries. At the time, these types of establishments did not have specific policies on their service or a variety of menus yet, but they were considered the foundations of today’s restaurants.

However, those early forms of restaurants weren’t referred to as “restaurants” yet, as the term was first coined and popularized in the late 1800s. Meanwhile, basic forms of public eateries can be traced back to around 500 BC, which is much older than the term itself!

As the long and unique history of restaurants makes it an attractive topic to learn about, we decided to take you back in time on a journey to discover the birth of restaurants through this article!

The Birth of Restaurants

According to historic findings, thermopolium was a public place where people could buy cooked food in the Ancient Greece while popinae (plural of popina), became a popular spot to serve people snacks and wine in the Roman Empire. The thermopolia and popinae were the two kinds of eateries that somehow resembled today’s restaurants in the ancient times and they date back to about 500 BC, making them the earliest forms of restaurants that we know of.

Public eating places continued to bloom and evolve in terms of service. For instance, hundreds of years later in China (around the 1100s), noodle and dumpling shops that offered full service and seats started to develop nationwide. Afterwards, in the late 1600s in Paris, traiteurs (someone with legal status to cook, serve, and deliver food) started offering what they called a table d’hôte, where people could sit and dine.

It wasn’t until the year 1765 that Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau established the first public eating space that was referred to as a “restaurant”, which is the term we use to this day. Mathurin’s restaurant specialized in restorative broths and offered a wide range of dishes with an elegant interior.

An illustration of a French restaurant in the 1840s. (via Shannon Selin) 

Fast forward to 1898, the renowned chef Auguste Escoffier invented a brigade system to break down tasks and assign them to specific stations or chefs to make the kitchen operate more efficiently. To this day, this brigade system is used in many restaurants around the world.

In the following years, restaurants developed along with hotels’ rapid expansion and evolution into bigger and more luxurious establishments. Some restaurants even joined or were created by the hotels themselves. A variety of restaurants with franchises started to grow in popularity as well, such as the famous fast food restaurants KFC and McDonald’s.

Now, restaurants are common venues that can easily be found anywhere around us. A restaurant is not merely a place to order and enjoy our food anymore. Rather, it also serves other purposes that encompass more than dining, such as a spot for social gatherings or to show status in some cultures. In this modern era, more restaurants are competing to provide different kinds of services, which promise distinct eating experiences unlike any other!

Types of Restaurants

Ever since first restaurants were introduced, restaurants have evolved and expanded in various forms and shapes that offer different services, specialties, and even customer experiences. While there are many that are worth mentioning, we have compiled a list of common restaurant types that you can easily find anywhere in the world these days!

Fast Food Restaurants

An A&W restaurant, the oldest fast food restaurant chain. (via A&W Restaurants)

Also known as quick-serve restaurants (QSR), fast food restaurants are statistically the most common type of restaurant worldwide preceded by casual restaurants, of course. Fast food restaurants are distinguished by their quick preparation of food and standardized menus with usually fixed prices.

KFC and McDonald’s are two of the most popular fast food restaurant chains, both of which were founded in the United States in 1930 and 1940. However, historical records show A&W (1919) as the oldest and first fast food restaurant chain in the world that continues to exist up until today!

Fine Dining Restaurants

Table setting in a fine dining restaurant.

This restaurant type is characterized by its superb menus that are prepared by highly professional staff using high-quality food ingredients, and the luxurious experience is enhanced by sophisticated features that decorate fine dining restaurants.

Fine dining restaurants are considered to be the most competitive businesses in the restaurant sector, as they rely more on the amount of money their customers spend than on the number of customers they regularly host.

Casual Dining Restaurants

Applebee’s, a casual dining restaurant. (via Nation’s Restaurant News)

If you are looking for a slightly more elevated dining experience at a cheaper price, the casual dining restaurant is your best option! The casual dining restaurant offers table service and a wider option of menus with varying prices.

Usually, a casual dining establishment is equipped with comfortable seating and thematic decor that adds to its ambience. Olive Garden and Applebee’s are a few examples of casual dining franchises that offer excellent services and various menus.

Fast Casual Restaurants

A fast casual restaurant. (via CNBC)

The fast casual restaurant is a combination of fast food and casual dining restaurants. They use better-quality ingredients than fast food restaurants, while their prices are slightly lower than those of casual dining restaurants.

Customizable meals and alcoholic drinks are also offered at fast casual restaurants, which is another reason why their prices are more expensive than fast food restaurants. However, keep in mind that they do not provide full-table service for customers!

Cafés

Interior of a café.

Another popular restaurant type nowadays is the café! Most cafés sell breakfast or light food like sandwiches, pastries, and drinks like coffee or tea in various styles. The price is usually standard—not too cheap or too expensive.

Many cafés offer indoor eating experiences for their customers, but some also have outdoor seating that provides a more enjoyable experience. The unique atmosphere of cafés often makes them a perfect place for socializing!

Famous Restaurants with Michelin Stars

Plenty of well-known restaurants exist in the industry, but how many of them are granted the prestigious Michelin star? Before we go further, let’s get to know the history of this famous rating system for restaurants!

The history of Michelin stars is rather unique. It originated from the Michelin Guide, a travel guide created in the 1900s by the Michelin tire company. In 1926, the Michelin brothers, the people behind this guide’s creation, changed its focus to fine dining by deploying a team of “inspectors” to visit and review fine dining restaurants across France. This change led to the birth of the Michelin star, an esteemed rating system for fine dining restaurants that people know today.

The Michelin guide, the origin of the Michelin stars. (via Ultimate Driving Tours)

The Michelin star gives up to three stars as the highest rating, and only the world’s greatest restaurants can obtain the third star. To earn a Michelin star, a restaurant must meet specific criteria, including the use of high-quality ingredients, the chef’s mastery of flavor as well as cooking techniques, and the consistency of customer visits to the restaurant.

The privilege of Michelin-starred restaurants is an attraction to customers, especially if they are located within hotels. Now, we are going to show you some famous hotel restaurants that were able to obtain the legendary Michelin star!

Aqua (3 Michelin Stars)

A dish from Aqua restaurant. (via Michelin Guide) 

Located in one of The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Wolfsburg, Germany, Aqua is a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant that is considered a gourmet’s heaven! With elegant decor, a high-end team of experts, and top-notch dishes, this restaurant is worth a visit!

Alain Ducasse (3 Michelin Stars)

The exterior of Alain Ducasse restaurant at The Dorchester hotel. (via Michelin Guide)

This restaurant successfully attained 3 Michelin stars thanks to its exceptional cuisine! The Alain Ducasse restaurant is a part of The Dorchester hotel in London, where you’ll also be able to try its signature, Rum Baba!

La Brezza (2 Michelin Stars)

A dish from La Brezza restaurant. (via Michelin guide)

La Brezza takes place within the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Switzerland, which is perched at 1,800 meters above sea level. This restaurant puts freshness and quality of dishes as a top priority, so it’s no wonder that it was granted 2 Michelin stars!

La Yeon (2 Michelin Stars)

A dish from La Yeon restaurant. (via Michelin guide)

You will discover traditional Korean cuisine with a contemporary touch here! La Yeon offers the stunning scenery of Namsan Park, fine tableware, and attentive restaurant service that will satisfy customers to the fullest. You can visit this 2-Michelin-starred restaurant on the 23rd floor of The Shilla Hotel in Seoul, South Korea!

LeMontBlanc (1 Michelin Star)

A sky view from LeMontBlanc restaurant. (via Michelin guide)

LeMontBlanc is a 1-Michelin-starred restaurant located in the LeCrans hotel in Switzerland. Its panoramic view of the Swiss Alps, added to its high-quality cooking and professional service, make the dining experience at this restaurant worth it!

How do restaurants impact hotels?

The existence of restaurants in hotels is essential as food and beverages are necessities for hotel guests. Restaurants’ role is to provide that necessity through their service, whether by serving the guests in place or delivering the food to guests’ rooms. Any type of restaurant may fit in a hotel, but luxurious 5-star hotels often opt for fine dining restaurants as the provider of food and beverage service.

A well-managed restaurant with quality dishes and services will undoubtedly attract guests and leave them with positive memories about both the hotel and the restaurant. Thus, restaurants have a big impact on hotels, as they are one of the pieces that keep the hotel’s operation running smoothly.

Wrapping Up

The long history of restaurants has undoubtedly impacted and shaped the food and beverage industry as we know it today. The invention of various restaurant types also transitioned these establishments into something more than just public eateries. Their contribution to our daily lives has become more important than ever before as they function as places of socializing, display of status, cultural heritage, and more.

Additionally, restaurants are one of the important aspects of the hospitality industry as they improve guest satisfaction by providing exceptional dining experiences along with exclusive delicacies! Since RMC Asia has been collaborating with 5-star hotels and resorts across Asia, we know that their high-end restaurants are always on the lookout for F&B and culinary talents to join their team. Therefore our mission is to simplify the process for both hotels and young professionals through our internship and management training programs and allow them to achieve their goals smoothly!

Our programs combine a practical work environment with exceptional cultural exchange experience to provide participants with opportunities for self-development and valuable skills for their future careers! The variety of our program destinations will also be a great choice for students and recent graduates looking for challenges in exciting and dynamic settings across Asia.

Join us to kickstart your career in Michelin-starred hotel restaurants now!

Recommended: The Luxurious History of 5-Star Hotels

A 5-star hotel is a luxurious establishment that provides the highest level of services, which include a range of premium amenities and lavish accommodations. Due to the luxury and exclusivity of the services, 5-star hotels are typically expensive, which is why their target market is usually high-end customers.

In the past, such deluxe lodging initially became popular during the Golden Period of the 1800s, when luxury hotels for nobles began to develop. Larger, more luxurious, and modern hotels continued to grow rapidly in the 20th century, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that the concept of the star rating system for hotels was introduced, thus being recognized as a commonly used benchmark to determine the quality of hotels until today.

Our article here will take you through an exploration of the origins of 5-star hotels, starting with the history of luxury hotels and the birth of the star rating system to the iconic 5-star hotels throughout the history of hospitality. Get ready, because we are about to delve into the fascinating world of 5-star hotels!

The History of Luxury Hotels

Similar to their modern-day successors, luxury hotels of the past provided exclusive services for their guests. However, there are differences that distinguish them from modern luxury hotels. The development of luxury hotels dates back to the 1800s, and at that time, much of the architecture and service of luxury hotels were heavily influenced by the nobles’ private residences.

For instance, many luxury hotels in this era tried to give their noble guests the comfort of their own homes by allowing them to bring their personal staff. This resulted in those luxury hotels reducing their services to mostly cooking services, as waiters, wardrobes, and room services were provided by the guests themselves.

A picture of wardrobe service in an 1800s luxury hotel. (via Italia Convention)

Since guests mostly served themselves using their own staff, the service experience was more personalized and unique at some points. Take the food and beverage service as an example. While the hotel was the one to provide dishes, the guests had their own waiters to serve them. These waiters used a bell to call their masters to dine, and the guests would then sit at the same long table. This system was known as à table d’hôte, which means that everyone seated at the same table ate what was offered, just like at home. Back then, this was considered a real luxury.

In the following years, the second industrial revolution (1870) influenced the growth of hotels. Various luxury hotels were established, such as the Raffles Singapore (1887) and the Savoy (1889). Luxury hotels of this era offered a new type of luxury service and no longer adopted the previous, inefficient service systems.

Years progressed, and more luxury hotels were established. Many of them were able to survive difficult circumstances with the help of innovative technology. To this day, these luxury hotels continue to maintain their existence in the hospitality industry.

The Birth of Hotels’ Star Rating System

A sign of 5-star hotel.

It started in 1958 when Mobil Corporation’s product, Mobil Travel Guide (now Forbes Travel Guide), used anonymous inspectors to assess hotels based on a set of criteria and allocate their ratings with stars. This method was then known as the hotel star rating system, with a rating range of 1-star for the lowest to 5-star for the highest. Each star rating is described below:

• 1-star: This means the hotel only offers the most basic accommodations, such as a room, a bed, a bathroom, and very little else.
• 2-star: The hotel provides essential accommodations like a 1-star hotel, but a 2-star hotel may have more complete services and facilities, such as a front office or TV in the guest room.
• 3-star: The service is more complete, the guest rooms are larger, and they are well furnished. Hotels at this rating level may provide additional facilities like swimming pools or public WiFi, and some hotels tend to be part of famous hotel chains as well.
• 4-star: A 4-star hotel offers an exceptional guest experience. The large and lavish guest rooms, along with other additional amenities, are at a higher level than 3-star hotels, and customer service becomes a top priority.
• 5-star: This rating is given to the best hotels only. Services and facilities at a 5-star hotel are at the highest level of quality, and the building usually has an outstanding design.

In some countries, the star rating system is governed by their hotel industry association; Germany is a perfect example. There are others that use a different rating system, such as rating by letters, with “A” being the highest grade and “F” being the lowest.

Although there is no international standard for hotel star ratings, this hotel rating system is still the most common evaluation system used for hotels. The hotel star rating system plays an important role in customers’ decision-making by providing them with insights on facilities, services, prices, and other aspects that help them choose a hotel that fits their criteria.

5-Star Hotel Facilities and Services

As the name implies, a 5-star hotel sets high standards in every aspect of its facilities and services to provide guests with the luxurious experience they expect. These qualities are what set them apart from lower-rated hotels, hence putting them at the top of the star rating system. Generally, the facilities and services in a luxurious 5-star hotel are as follows:

Facilities

Swimming pool, one of common facilities in 5-star hotels.

Ever since 5-star hotels were first established, they have always provided a wide variety of lavish facilities for guests to enjoy. Below is a list of several common facilities found in many 5-star hotels.

• Sauna or spa
• Ballroom or auditorium
• Car parking
• Gym or fitness center
• World-class restaurant
• Heater or air conditioning facilities
• Swimming pool (some 5-star hotels provide private swimming pools)
• Guest rooms with elegant decoration and premium facilities, such as top-quality beds and private bathrooms with jacuzzi

Each 5-star hotel may have a different version of these facilities, and there might be other specific facilities provided by a 5-star hotel that cannot be found in its competitors. Nonetheless, all 5-star hotels are determined to present guests with the finest facilities!

Services

Valet, one of regular services in 5-star hotels.

Services in a 5-star hotel must be consistent and exceptional, as the objective is to satisfy guests with positive experiences during their stay. Since long ago, this characteristic of high-quality services has set 5-star hotels apart from those with lesser ratings. Typically, some of the usual services in luxurious 5-star hotels are listed below.

• 24/7 room service
• Luxury concierge service
• Medical service
• Valet service
• Laundry service
• Money exchange service
• On-call transportation service
• Phone, fax, email, or other communication services

In order to deliver excellent services for guests, 5-star hotels train their employees to be able to anticipate and meet guests’ needs. These employees work together to support seamless day-to-day operations at 5-star hotels by fulfilling their duties in each other’s hotel departments!

Iconic 5-Star Hotels in Hospitality History

Luxurious 5-star hotels have been around since the 1800s, and they have continued to grow and innovate up until now. Some old 5-star hotels are still in operation, and there are newer 5-star hotels with distinctive features that make these hotels iconic. Scroll down to see our compilation of iconic 5-star hotels that color up the history of the hospitality industry!

Raffles Singapore (1887)

Raffles Singapore hotel.

Inaugurated in 1887, Raffles Singapore is among the oldest luxurious hotels that continue to thrive in this era. The hotel has survived many hardships, ranging from World War II to COVID-19. Now, Raffles Singapore is known as one of the most prestigious 5-star hotels in the world.

The Savoy (1889)

The entrance of the Savoy hotel. (via The Savoy London) 

The Savoy was built by Richard D’Oyly Carte, a theatrical impresario who also built the Savoy Theatre (1881). Located in London, the Savoy was the first luxury hotel established in England and continues to serve lavish services as a 5-star hotel to this day.

Four Seasons (1960)

One of Four Seasons’ 5-star hotels in Doha. (via Four Seasons)

Four Seasons is a Canadian-based luxury hotel company established in 1960. Ever since then, this company has been consistently providing high-quality services for its guests through its wide variety of 5-star hotels, which are available in many countries.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company (1983)

The view of a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Bali. (via The Ritz-Carlton)

Although there were several hotels that went by The Ritz-Carlton name in the United States, it wasn’t until 1940 that The Ritz-Carlton in Boston was the only one that continued to operate. In 1983, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company was formed, and it expanded to 23 luxury hotels in 1992. Since 1998, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has been a part of Marriott International, one of the biggest multinational companies in the hospitality industry.

Burj Al Arab (1999)

Burj Al Arab, a famous 5-star hotel in UAE.

This iconic hotel was first inaugurated in 1999 and is renowned as the tallest 5-star hotel in the world. It stands at 321 meters tall and is built on a man-made island off Dubai’s coastline. Its unique design that resembles a billowing Arabian dhow sail makes Burj Al Arab one of the most famous landmarks in the UAE!

Wrapping Up

Just like their predecessors in the past, luxury hotels are dedicated to fulfilling guests’ expectations of grand service and making the most of their experiences. Magnificent designs or a large number of rooms are not enough to earn a 5-star title, as the hotel and its employees must also be able to meet guests’ needs through excellent delivery of exceptional services.

Five-star hotels have always been one of the hospitality industry’s pillars as it has a huge impact on economy by generating revenue and creating employment opportunities. Speaking of the latter, RMC Asia has partnered with 5-star hotels and resorts across Asia since 2014 to provide internship and management training programs for talents who wish to join the professionals of the hospitality industry!

Our programs give participants self-development opportunities and invaluable skills for their future careers through a mix of real work experience and unique cultural exchange! With various internship destinations across Asia, our program would be a perfect choice for students and recent graduates who are looking for challenges in dynamic environments.

Join us now to start your own successful career in 5-star hotels!

Recommended: The 100-Year Timeline of Hotel History

As far as human civilization goes, people have always sought shelter when they traveled away from home. This basic human necessity is what became the foundation of the hospitality industry and shaped modern hotels as we know them today.

If we were to trace back the history of hotels from the beginning, the early concept has been around since the Ancient Greece era (13th–18th century BC), which came in the form of inns established for travelers. In the Roman era, more inns and mansions were built to accommodate Romans on government business, and coaches for traveling became common to bring in more guests during the Middle Ages.

As we fast forward to the French Revolution (1789), the brigade systems that organized the hotel’s kitchen were introduced by a French chef named Escoffier. Later in the Golden Period of the 1800s, modern hotels started to be established and continued to grow into the next era.

Although early evolution of hotels have a fascinating history to explore, we decided to take you on a nostalgic tour through the recent history of hotels since the 1900s! We will have a quick glimpse at what hotels were actually like in each of those decades up until now: their developments, transitions, and other worldwide phenomena that impacted the industry.

1900–1910

The current Statler Hotel.

The second industrial revolution (1870) continued to influence the development of hotels in this decade. Many hotels were established and transitioned to more luxurious, larger-scale hotels, and the chain hotel concept was also introduced for the first time by an American businessman, Ellsworth M. Statler.

Statler opened his first hotel in 1901, which was a temporary building with 2,100 rooms. Soon, he expanded his business to more than 10 hotels in several different locations, making him the first successful chain hotel entrepreneur.

By the end of this decade, electricity had become a common technology in hotels, which further improved the convenience of guests!

1911–1920

A picture of World War I soldiers.

Luxurious hotels continued to develop rapidly during this decade. In Cannes, France, the Carlton Hotel (now the InterContinental Carlton Cannes) was built upon the collaboration between genius hotelier Henri Ruhl and architect Charles Dalmas. This luxury hotel opened for business in early 1911 and was quick to gain success.

However, World War I (1914–1918) impacted the growth of the hospitality industry, especially in warring countries. Revenues were declining due to bookings cancellations and pullouts of visitors, and many hotels had to convert some of their spaces into hospitals for war casualties, including the Carlton Hotel itself.

Hence, this decade became a challenging period for hotels to adapt to such difficult situations.

1921–1930

Hotels in 1920s United States.

During this era, the United States alcohol prohibition laws of 1920–1933 impacted the country’s hospitality industry as well. Without revenue from beer and liquor sales, many hotels were forced to close or convert to other uses.

On the other hand, other hotels that had been established before this period tried to maintain their existence in the hospitality industry. As the 1921–1930 period was commonly known as the “Roaring Twenties” in the United States and was characterized by social liberation and cultural innovation, hotels then focused their businesses on entertainment and leisure. An example was the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, which offered lavish amenities and services such as fine dining, ballrooms, and various top-notch entertainment.

Marriott International, one of the world’s most famous and largest hotel chains, was also established in this era. The company began as a root beer stand in 1927 and continued to grow until it opened its first hotel in 1957, which was the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Virginia.

1931–1940

An unemployed man selling apples during The Great Depression.

Plenty of tumultuous events took place throughout this period. The Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in industrial history, began in 1929 and lasted until the end of this era. It impacted various sectors, including the hospitality industry, leading to construction halts and falling room rates in many hotels.

As the Great Depression ended, World War II broke out at the end of this period (1939), which marked another new challenge for hotels to overcome. At that time, women became hotel “bell girls” since men went to war, and schools became training grounds to study hospitality services.

Around this period, technology like air conditioning was also introduced to hotels.

1941–1950

A painting portrayed World War II.

From 1939–1945, hotels fell from 25% to 20% of total establishments due to the impacts of World War II. During the war, many hotels and resorts were used by militaries as shelters and hospitals.

A few examples are the Hydro Majestic hotel in Australia, which became a field hospital for American soldiers in the South Pacific, and the Vinoy Renaissance in Florida, which was occupied by the military as a shelter. Both of these hotels were lent for military purposes around the year 1942.

The use of air travel as transportation was also increasing, resulting in an increase in travelers. Many hotels were then expanded to accommodate them.

After the war ended in 1945, the hospitality industry regained its strength and hotels added more innovations to their services, such as the Hoteltype machine established by the Westin in 1947.

1951–1960

Air travel in the 1950s.

Economic and travel activities during this period continued to grow. Along with the 1960s, this era was also considered the “Golden Age” of air travel. The increasing number of cars, which started in 1951, has also been a major factor in the rise of tourists’ visits to leisure facilities.

This resulted in hotel expansion and the creation of more hotels in popular tourism destinations, as several notable hotels and resorts, such as the iconic Sands Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas (1952) and the Hilton Hawaiian Village (1955), were built during this era.

Hotels also improved their amenities and services to efficiently accommodate guests’ needs. Modern hotels in this period offered full bathrooms, heating systems, quality furniture, and air conditioning. Hotel departments, such as F&B, were also improved in terms of services.

1961–1970

One of Holiday Inn’s hotels, created by Kemmons Wilson.

Due to the popularity of air travel in this era, traveling activities increased, and hotels experienced significant growth in customers.

In the United States, the hotel chain by Kemmons Wilson and Atlanta-based Holiday Inn skyrocketed. By 1968, Kemmons Wilson had constructed more than 80 new Holiday Inns across the nation, totaling 40,000 rooms. This makes the 1960s a turning point for the hospitality industry in the United States.

Overall, this decade was a transformative era for hotels, marked by growth and plenty of innovations.

1971–1980

An illustration of the 1973 oil crisis that impacted economic and hotels growth.

The 1973 oil crisis that happened in this era resulted in stagnant economic growth in many countries, which affected the hospitality and tourism industries as well.

As the oil price skyrocketed, reductions in travel occurred, especially in airline travel due to inflated ticket prices. This led to a decrease in revenue for hotels as guests refused to travel.

However, some hotels continue to grow; an example is the Eaton Chelsea hotel in Toronto, which expanded to 500 and 1,000-room properties. Four Seasons, a renowned luxury hotel and resort company, also entered the United States market in this decade (1976).

1981–1990

The Great Barrier Reef, initially the location of John Brewer Floating Hotel.

Luxury hotels continue to thrive in this decade. An innovation in luxury hotels was made when the world’s first luxury floating hotel, named the John Brewer Floating Hotel, opened in 1988. The hotel was a 5-story building with almost 200 rooms and was built in Singapore to be placed on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Unfortunately, a cyclone hit this hotel and made it a commercial flop within a year of its release. Later, financial issues led to the sale of this hotel to North Korea.

Hotels also started to get more advanced in terms of technology as the internet was introduced in the same era. Some hotels began to use credit cards for reservations and checkout, with the Westin as the pioneer.

The end of this era was also marked by significant geopolitical events, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and German reunification in 1990.

1991–2000

Burj Al Arab, located in Dubai.

Plenty of iconic hotels were built in this period, such as Dubai’s Burj Al Arab (1994). The hotel has broken a number of impressive records, including being the tallest all-suite hotel in the world at 321 meters, which is 14 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.

In the same year, Hyatt Hotels and Promus Hotel Corporation became the first among other hotels to launch their own websites, and these technological advancements further improved the growth of hotels, making their day-to-day operations seamless.

Despite the luxurious hotel growth and technological advancements, hotels also faced challenges during this period, especially those in East and Southeast Asia, due to the impact of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

2001–Current

Up until now, hotels have encountered various obstacles in their development. In the year 2001, the 9/11 attacks happened in the United States, which resulted in a drop in occupancy rates at American hotels. Years later, hotels had to cut their operational costs due to the 2008 global recession that impacted many sectors as well.

An illustration of COVID-19, the most recent disease that affected the world.

The most recent challenge faced by hotels is the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. At that time, measures were taken to decrease the spread rate of the virus, such as lockdowns, social distancing, and travel restrictions, which were implemented in many countries. However, these actions resulted in the temporary closure of hotels around the world.

Fortunately, the pandemic phase of COVID-19 has been decreasing in most locations now. Travel restrictions in some countries have been lifted, and hotels are reopening for business.

The good news is that luxury hotels and technological advancements continue to grow throughout this period. Luxury hotels like the Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) and The Shard (London) were built during this period, and these hotels later became luxury symbols that attract high-end travelers. Technology, such as online travel agencies, was also launched in this era and has been used by many hotels to support their businesses.

Despite the obstacles, this era has become a transformative period for hotels to keep growing, innovating, and adapting to the dynamic hospitality industry.

Predictions of Hotel Trends in 2023

An illustration for future trends in hotels.

Amidst the dynamic world of the hospitality industry, innovations and trends continue to shift in order to meet customers’ demands. This year, Preno has predicted trends of hotels in 2023 that will set to revolutionize travel and travelers:

• AI and automation
• Wellness tourism
• Innovative amenities
• Digital payment
• Co-working spaces
• Pop-up hotels
• Loyalty programs for customers
• Sustainability

The trends are constantly evolving, which means adapting to them is a must for every hotel to continue providing their customers with the best services!

Wrapping Up

Now that we have arrived at the end of our trip, we can safely say that the hotel industry has gone through a lot of changes and made a tremendous progress over the past century despite all the challenges. In addition, the future of the industry looks more promising than ever with all the new innovations and technologies being adopted by hotels.

Meanwhile, we can’t also deny the fact that there will always be challenges that need to be addressed by experts. Thus, hotels will always need more skilled professionals to help them overcome the existing challenges and prepare for  future ones, which creates more opportunities for valuable talents in this industry.

Speaking of talents, RMC Asia has been a part of the hospitality industry since 2014 and become the bridge between the most recognized hotel brands across Asia and future hoteliers. Our goal is to take away all the noise and the friction by connecting the hotels and resorts with young professionals through our internship and management training programs! Join our successful participants and embark on your hospitality career with us now.

Recommended: Housekeeping Things You Should Know (2023 Edition)

The Housekeeping Department is a standard, crucial part of a hotel’s day-to-day operations. With such importance, this department is often regarded as the backbone of a hotel, as its role is directly related to guests’ satisfaction and greatly affects the hotel’s reputation. While many may think that the Housekeeping Department is merely a hotel cleaning service or room attendant, the fact is that their responsibilities encompass a lot more activities than that.

This article will shed light on the intricacies of the Housekeeping Department operations some of which you might be unaware such as its organizational structure, specific responsibilities, opportunities in the Hospitality industry, and more. If you are ready to delve into the world of hotel housekeeping, buckle up and let us guide you to the behind-the-scenes of the Housekeeping Department!

Housekeeping Department’s Structure

Along with the Food and Beverage Department, the Housekeeping Department tends to be the one with the largest workforce compared to other hotel departments; the bigger the hotel, the more manpower is needed, especially in the housekeeping area.

A proper and well-functioning Housekeeping Department has an organizational structure to accurately delegate duties and efficiently execute them. In some hotels, the structure is organized as the following:

Organizational Structure of the Housekeeping Department.

The above structure shows that the Housekeeping Department is composed of several positions that handle various areas of housekeeping operations, with the Executive Housekeeper as the head of the department. Each position has been assigned different responsibilities, all of which are equally essential in maintaining the quality of the hotel’s cleanliness and guests’ satisfaction.

Housekeeping’s Positions and Responsibilities

1. Executive Housekeeper

The Executive Housekeeper.

As the key leader of the Housekeeping Department in a hotel, an Executive Housekeeper or Director of Housekeeping is in charge of the cleanliness and aesthetic maintenance of the entire hotel’s property.

In specific, the scope of their duties is as follows:

• Organizing and overseeing all staff schedules and tasks on a daily basis;
• Managing and maintaining housekeeping operating procedures, inventories, budgets, department activity and staff performance records, as well as guests’ feedback;
• Working closely with fellow Housekeeping staff members and other departments,
• Recruiting and providing training for new staff members.

The Executive Housekeeper usually reports to General Manager, Resident Manager, or other similar roles whose names may differ in some hotels. In their line of work, an Executive Housekeeper is typically assisted by an Assistant Housekeeper.

2. Assistant Housekeeper

The Assistant Housekeeper.

An Assistant Housekeeper is another core member of the Housekeeping Department. As stated by Hilton Garden Inn, this role is responsible for assuming leadership of the department when the Executive Housekeeper is not present, while their full duties include:

• Assisting the Executive Housekeeper in managing the Housekeeping staff, procedures, inventories, budgets, and reports as needed;
• Helping in training and coaching for both new and existing staff members;
• Collaborating with other Housekeeping staff and fellow hotel departments to ensure the guest’s satisfaction;
• Responding to guests’ complaints or concerns in a professional manner.

As they are the Housekeeping Department’s second in command, the Assistant Housekeeper must be able to work efficiently and effectively to assist the leader, as well as provide professional housekeeping services for hotel guests.

3. Floor Supervisor & Room Attendant

Floor Supervisor and Room Attendant.

As we look into the Housekeeping Department’s structure, we will get to know the role of the Floor Supervisor. They are in charge of maintaining the cleanliness of guest rooms and working areas, as well as supervising their team: Housekeeping Room Attendants.

The responsibilities of a Floor Supervisor’s tasks include:

• Organizing daily allocation of guest rooms and other areas of the floor for cleaning services by team members;
• Managing guest requests and room inspections to ensure that they meet hotel standards;
• Assisting the Executive Housekeeper and Assistant Housekeeper in staff training, as well as working closely with other related Housekeeping positions and hotel departments.

Meanwhile, the duties of Room Attendants are as follows:

• Maintaining the cleanliness of guest rooms, bathrooms, and other areas of the floor, which includes changing linens and towels, sweeping, vacuuming, and other cleaning services;
• Responding to guests’ requests in a friendly and professional manner;
• Following all housekeeping procedures in order to meet the standard of a clean hotel.

By order of hierarchy, the Room Attendant directly responds to the Floor Supervisor, while the latter reports to the Assistant Housekeeper.

4. Public Area Supervisor & Public Area Attendant

Public Area Attendant.

The next in line is the Public Area Supervisor. They are in charge of overseeing the performance of Public Area Attendants and ensuring the hotel’s public and functional areas stay clean.

Specifically, the scope of the Public Area Supervisor’s responsibilities includes:

• Organizing cleaning services by staff members for all public areas; 
• Maintaining safety and security systems in public areas by coordinating with the Security and Maintenance Department;
• Training and briefing new staff members.

As for Public Area Attendants, their job description covers:

• Cleaning the hotel’s public areas, such as hallways, lobbies, elevators, and more;
• Maintaining housekeeping equipment and inventories;
• Following all housekeeping procedures and the assigned cleaning schedule.

Similar to the Floor Supervisor and team, the Public Area Supervisor reports their work to the Assistant Housekeeper, with Public Area Attendants being directly responsible to the former.

5. Control Desk Supervisor, Housemen & Mini Bar Attendant

Mini Bar Attendant in the Guest Room.

The Control Desk Supervisor is the center of communication in the Housekeeping Department, as they are tasked with delivering and receiving information from the control desk. They are also the supervisor of Housemen and Mini Bar Attendants, with the summary of their full responsibilities is as follows:

• Maintaining and handling up-to-date information regarding all Housekeeping staff, records of the Housekeeping Department’s daily operations, and guests’ requests or complaints; 
• Assigning tasks for staff members according to the daily workload and preparing mini bar as well as other amenities list;
• Coordinating with staff and related hotel departments, such as Maintenance Department for room maintenance issues or Front Office Department for room status matters.

Subsequently, Housemen and Mini Bar Attendants’ duties include:

• Following assigned tasks and schedules from the Control Desk Supervisor, along with the standard operating procedures;
• As for Housemen: cleaning the hotel’s furniture, rooms, and other areas;
• As for Mini Bar Attendants: maintaining and tracking the stock of mini bar items, as well as attending to guests’ requests for mini bar service.

Although both Housemen and Mini Bar Attendants report to the Control Desk Supervisor, there are exceptions in some hotels, where the Mini Bar Attendant is directly reporting to either Executive Housekeeper or Assistant Housekeeper, just like the Control Desk Supervisor.

6. Linen Supervisor & Linen Room Attendant

A Linen Room Attendant.

As another important position in the Housekeeping Department, the Linen Supervisor role is in charge of all linens and uniforms in the hotel. With their subordinates of Linen Room Attendants, the area of the Linen Supervisor’s responsibilities include:

• Supervising staff performance in the linen room’s daily operations, which involves maintaining the cleanliness of the linen area, as well as laundry supplies;
• Ensuring that linens and uniforms are stored and ready for any events while following the proper procedure for issuing linens and uniforms to other Housekeeping members and hotel departments;
• Working closely with staff members, the Laundry team, and other related hotel departments.

On the other hand, Linen Room Attendants’ duties consist of:

• Sorting dirty linens and uniforms before sending them to the Laundry team;
• Receiving, arranging, and issuing clean linens and uniforms to all employees;
• Checking linens and uniforms conditions regularly, as well as ensuring that the items are properly stored and recorded.

On the basis of day-to-day operations, Linen Room Attendants are required to report to the Linen Supervisor, while the latter is directly responsible to the Assistant Housekeeper.

7. Laundry Supervisor & Laundry Attendant

A Laundry Attendant or Valet.

Last but not least, is the Laundry team which is led by a Laundry Supervisor. This position is the one responsible for running the hotel’s laundry operations while overseeing Laundry Room Attendants.

To summarize, the job descriptions of a Laundry Supervisor are as the following:

• Preparing annual laundry budget, efficient laundry methods, as well as maintaining the washing quality of linens and uniforms;
• Training Laundry Room Attendants and monitoring laundry costs;
• Coordinating with staff members, the Linen team, and related hotel departments.

As for Laundry Attendants, the scope of their duties include:

• Sorting, washing, drying, and folding linens, uniforms, and other textile-related items to maintain cleanliness;
• Tracking laundering inventories and equipment;
• Following the standard operating procedures for laundering linens and uniforms.

The Laundry team works very closely with the Linen team. Just like them, the Laundry Supervisor is responsible to the Assistant Housekeeper, while the Laundry Attendant or Valet is required to report their tasks to the Laundry Supervisor.

Codes in Housekeeping

One thing about the Housekeeping Department that differentiates it from other hotel departments is the use of unique codes during work. These codes are known as room status codes, which help Housekeeping employees operate smoothly.

Each code has a different meaning, with some examples shown below.

• Occupied (the room has been assigned to the guest.)
• Stayover (the guest extends their stay in the room.)
• On-change (the guest has checked out, but the room has not been cleaned yet.)
• Do Not Disturb / DND (the guest request to not be disturbed in their room.)
• Sleep-out (the bed has not been used by the registered guest.)
• Sleeper (the guest has settled their payment, but the room’s status has not been updated by the Front Office.)
• Vacant & Ready (the room has been cleaned and is ready for use.)
• Out Of Order / OOO (the room is under maintenance and isn’t available for guests.)
• Late Check-out (the guest has been allowed to check-out of the room past the standard check-out time.)
• Early Check-in (the guest has been allowed to check-in to the room earlier than the standard check-in time.)

Housekeeping’s Area of Responsibilities

Although Housekeeping is considered a back-of-the-house department due to their lack of direct contact with guests, they are also responsible for handling the hotel’s front-of-the-house areas, as shown below.

Housekeeping’s Area of Responsibilities.

From the guest room to the laundry room, all members of the Housekeeping Department work together to provide housekeeping services and ensure the hotel meets its cleanliness standards!

How to be a Housekeeping Employee

Housekeeping services in hotels have always been one of the very high-in-demand departments in the Hospitality industry, which is why many inevitably wish to work in this field of Hospitality. Becoming a Housekeeping employee in a hotel requires qualifications from the general to the specialized ones based on the position’s responsibilities, levels, and other aspects of the job.

If you are preparing for a career in the Housekeeping Department, you may want to check this out! Here are the general requirements to be a valuable Housekeeping employee, summarized for you!

• Excellent knowledge and ability in housekeeping, such as laundering for the Laundry team.
• Exceptional skills in time management, communication, and details.
• Good physical stamina for going through hectic work shifts.
• High school diploma or GED certificate.

Each position in the Housekeeping Department has other specific requirements for their employees, as well as higher positions in the department that require more advanced qualifications. Although climbing to the top level of the Housekeeping Department won’t be easy, there will always be options worth trying.

To give you a heads up, RMC Asia is offering opportunities for those passionate about Housekeeping and Hospitality industry with our internship programs!

As we have always been dedicated to providing quality internships, our participants will not only gain professional self-development, career enhancement, and connections with 5-star hotels–but also unforgettable cultural exchange experiences in our program destinations.

Join our successful participants and start your Hospitality career with us now!

Recommended: 5 High-Paying Hotel Jobs for Starters