Majority of US hotels are understaffed ahead of summer rush
The National Hotel & Lodging Association says a majority of hotels across the country are understaffed.
Many vacationers headed to hotels this summer might not see the full array of services typically offered as staffing shortages have led to a domino effect in a lack of amenities. Those range from clean rooms to hotel dining.
Although post-pandemic staffing has improved in the hotel industry each year, there are still positions unfilled. The National Hotel & Lodging Association says 76% of hotels across the country are understaffed.
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«So my housekeeping team would go from 20 to 40, food and beverage is the same way, so all of that does double for us in the summer time,» Sheraton — Myrtle Beach general manager Suzanne Hinde said.
Hinde said housekeepers spend about 30 minutes cleaning each room. With a low staff, some hotels might clean rooms every other day or just a couple of times a week. Hinde says if guests want their room cleaned every day, they should ask the front desk. Since the pandemic, she's also noticed more people putting «do not disturb» signs on their doors.
In order to keep up with the summer demand, Hinde chose the advanced technology route by adding two new crew members — robots named Rosie and Wiz.
Business is booming on the East Coast vacation spot of Myrtle Beach.
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«It was so hard from a labor perspective, you had to figure out how am I going to be able to do business and be able to deliver business we need to, with less staff,» Hinde said.
At the Sheraton in Myrtle Beach, Rosie works in the dining room, helping serve food and pick up dirty dishes from customers. Wiz saves the hotel labor
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