The winter season is a time when guests are more likely to visit your hospitality or tourism business.
It’s also an opportune time when you can take advantage of the situation and offer your guests a warm and cozy place to visit.
Snow and cold winds usually make maintenance work more challenging during winter.
And this is the reason why hotels, ski resorts, winter vacation rentals, and other hospitality establishments need a winter hospitality maintenance plan.
What Is a Winter Hospitality Maintenance Plan?
A winter hospitality maintenance plan is a type of plan that provides assistance to hotel property managers and building administrators during the winter season.
The hospitality maintenance plan is designed to guide them when doing reactive and preventive maintenance for the different areas of their hospitality space during winter.
Because of the colder weather, there is a need for winter amenities. These include heaters, blankets, and fireplaces. It is important to plan ahead and make sure that you have winter amenities before the season starts.
A lot of accommodation owners may not be aware that there are certain things they can do to prepare for the winter season. One option is to take into account the cost of their needs and budget accordingly.
Let’s take a look at each of the areas in your hospitality business and discuss what needs to be prepared for winter.
Preparing Guest Rooms for Winter
A hotel room is a place where guests can have a good time. It is the best place for travelers to rest, relax and unwind.
But the winter is not the best time for people to be in a hotel room because of the reduced flow of fresh air. Therefore, a hotel room needs to be kept in order so that guests can have a pleasant stay.
Winterization of a hotel room includes checking the following:
- Check the thermostat and make sure it’s set at a proper temperature.
- Check the heaters and ensure they are working properly.
- Check for moisture in the air and ensure there’s no leakage from pipes or vents.
- Check for leaks and ensure there are no watermarks on walls or floors.
- Ensure that there is no sign of mold on the walls or ceilings.
In order to keep guest rooms winter-safe, hotels should have staff on hand during the winter months. This can be done by having staff work longer hours, but also by having them work outside of their normal shifts so they are prepared for any type of emergency.
Keeping Parking Lots Safe During Winter
Winter is a good time to prepare your hotel’s parking lot for winter.
It is also a good time to make sure that your employees have easy access to their cars and that guests are not inconvenienced by having to walk too far.
It will also be easier for you to manage your parking lot during the winter months, which can help increase revenue from your business.
Here are 5 easy steps to prepare your hotel parking lot for winter.
Step 1: Remove all leaves and sticks from the lot.
Step 2: Clear away any snow, ice, or debris that might be on the ground.
Step 3: Remove any dead plants or plant materials from the parking lot.
Step 4: Fill in any holes with a mixture of sand, dirt, and rocks to create a surface that is less slippery.
Step 5: Spread out salt or sand on the surface of the parking lot to help with traction and prevent ice from forming.
Making Hospitality Common Areas Warm During Winter
A common area is a space that is designated for the use of guests and employees of the hotel.
The purpose of a common area in a hotel is to provide a place where people can relax, socialize, and have access to food and beverage.
With winter around the corner, it is important to take care of your hotel’s common area.
Here are 3 tips for preparing your hotel’s common area for winter.
- Keep the area near the door free from clutter and unnecessary items.
- Install a heater or a fireplace if you have a space that is not well-heated during wintertime.
- Be sure to have extra blankets, pillows, and towels available in case guests need them while they are staying at your hotel during the wintertime.
Slip-Proofing Walkways During the Winter Season
Winter is a time when walkways in hotels and other hospitality properties are more likely to become slippery. This is because of the ice and snow that builds up on them during this season.
Here are 5 ways you can keep your hotel’s walkways from becoming slippery in the cold weather.
- Paint the walkways with non-slippery paint, such as ice and water repellent low-tack paint.
- Use rubber mats to cover any area that is frequently walked upon, such as in front of elevators and stairwells.
- Hire a contractor to install anti-slip surfaces for specific areas of the hotel, such as in front of the stairwells.
- Buy grip tape, or a similar product, and cover any areas that are frequently stepped upon with it.
6.. Remind hotel staff to sweep walkways once per day to remove any loose materials, including leaves or snow.
When your hotel walkways have been covered with snow during winter, follow these tips to remove the ice from walkways:
- Shoveling snow: The first way to prepare your hotel’s walkway is to shovel the snow off of it. This can be done by using a shovel or by using a broom to sweep the snow off of the walkway.
- Thawing out the ice: The second way to prepare your hotel’s walkway is to use an ice scraper or a hairdryer on a low setting to remove any remaining ice from the walkway before it melts into the water again and freezes overnight.
- Spraying de-icer: The last way to prepare your hotel’s walkway is to spray a de-icer on the walkway before it starts snowing. This will prevent the snow from sticking to the walkway.
It would also help if you put visible signages to remind both guests and staff to walk carefully or to wear proper gear to prevent slips and falls on walkways.
Maintaining Swimming Pools and Spas During Winter
Winter is the time of year when pools and spas become a necessity as they provide a place to stay warm and relax. They also offer an opportunity to take in the view of nature while being in the comfort of your hotel or vacation resort.
Swimming pools and spas are one of those things that hotel managers and property managers tend to forget about when planning for winter – but they should be on top of their game and make sure that they have everything needed to keep their pools warm and safe.
If you are looking for ways to prepare your pool and spa during winter, here are some tips that may help you make it through this season.
1) Cleaning: Make sure that you clean your pool and spa regularly so that they will be ready for use when winter arrives. You can use a pool vacuum cleaner or just do a quick clean with a hose.
2) Covering: Covering your pool is very important as it helps keep water from evaporating, which prevents algae from growing on the surface of the water.
3) Chlorine: Chlorine is a must-have during winter, as it keeps the water clean and safe when other chemicals are not accessible.
4) Algae Scrubber: Keep an algae scrubber in your pool to help keep the water free from algae.
Keeping Hotel Roof Tops Safe During Winter
The rooftop of a hotel is one of its most important features. It provides a different experience to guests and can be used to enhance their overall experience.
Hotel rooftops are great for socializing, hosting parties, doing yoga, or just relaxing with friends.
On top of all these benefits, it’s also an excellent place for photographers and videographers to capture beautiful shots and videos.
The rooftops of hotels are vulnerable to snowfall during the winter season and can lead to roof damage, which in turn can require extensive repairs that may cost a lot of money.
Rooftop safety is a very important part of the winter season. The most common risk during this time of year is ice dams on the hotel roof, which can cause water damage if not addressed properly.
There are a few ways to avoid this risk:
- Make sure that the rooftop has proper drainage.
- Install an ice dam prevention system.
- Have a qualified contractor inspect your roof for any potential problems.
Conclusion: Start Preparing your Hospitality Space for the Winter Today
With the winter season comes the need to prepare a warm and cozy hotel space for guests.
This can be done by making sure your staff follows your winter hospitality maintenance plan.
Ensure that there are enough blankets and heating equipment around your hospitality, to ensure that guests are comfortable during their stay.
Preparing a hotel space for winter is also not just about ensuring that it is warm. It also includes making sure that there are enough supplies and amenities for guests and staff members.
We hope this article has proved helpful in preparing your hotel or bed and breakfast for winter.
