Happy Holidays From Our Executive General Manager
December 12, 2022
A Message from Leanne Graham
At ahs hospitality, we are truly grateful for our team members, clients, and industry, especially during the holiday seasons as we know how hard everyone is still working (and will continue to!). While other industries plan to rest during the time, we are ramping up for the holiday season, so our leader wanted to share her appreciation.
In this end-of-year video message, our Executive General Manager at ahs hospitality, Leanne Graham, thanks our wonderful ahs team members for all their hard work this year and for performing so well operationally. Additionally, she makes a note to give a big thanks to our clients through what has been another really challenging year for hospitality.
Overall, Leanne wishes all our colleagues at ahs hospitality, our suppliers, our friends and family, and our hotel partners, a safe and happy holiday season! You can hear from Leanne below.
Our Holiday Message to our Housekeepers and Hotel Partners
To get in the holiday spirit, and help yourself prepare for summer tourism, you can check out our most recent blog here, which has some fabulous tips for team engagement and well-being at your hotel.
Additionally, if you’d like to enquire about our housekeeping services over the holiday period, or plan ahead for next year, you can get in touch easily via this page, by selecting the state most relevant to you! We would love to hear from you and work with you on staffing solutions to help your business prosper.
Happy Holidays again, from all of us at ahs hospitality. We hope you have a magical end to 2022, and bright beginning to 2023!
At ahs hospitality, Cultural Diversity Week is an opportunity to reflect on what truly makes our teams strong: the people, perspectives and experiences that come together every day across our operations. Housekeeping is one of the most diverse workforces in the hospitality industry. Across our teams, individuals from over 80 nationalities work side by side, bringing unique skills, values and ways of thinking. This diversity is not only part of who we are, it is a key driver of how we deliver consistent, high-quality service.
With February here and new students preparing to move in, student accommodation providers are entering one of the busiest times of the year. Tight turnaround windows, high occupancy and rising expectations mean every room and shared space needs to feel clean, fresh and ready from day one. A well-planned turnover cleaning approach helps create a positive first impression for incoming residents while protecting the long-term condition of your property. It also ensures a smoother transition between outgoing and new students, making move-in periods far more manageable for on-site teams.
As the hospitality industry moves into 2026, the role of housekeeping continues to evolve. Hotel operators are no longer looking for providers who simply deliver clean rooms, they are seeking strategic housekeeping partners who can support operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, workforce stability, compliance, and sustainability. With ongoing labour challenges, rising guest expectations, and increased focus on sustainability and risk management, housekeeping has become a core driver of overall hotel performance. So what will define a strong housekeeping partnership in 2026?
The festive season is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the incredible work of housekeeping teams. While guests are enjoying holidays, reunions, and summer travel, our housekeeping teams work tirelessly behind the scenes to create clean, welcoming spaces that make every stay feel special. Celebrating Christmas and New Year with your team is not only a way to show appreciation, but also a chance to build connection, strengthen morale, and end the year on a positive note. Here are six meaningful ways to celebrate with your housekeeping teams this festive season.
Preparing for Summer Peak Season: Getting Hotels, Commercial Spaces, and Student Accommodation Ready
As we move into the summer holiday period, many industries begin to experience their own version of “peak season.” Hotels welcome a surge of guests, shopping centres see heavier foot traffic, offices prepare for year-end shutdowns, and student accommodation providers manage large-scale move-outs. With demand rising across the board, now is the perfect time for businesses to plan ahead, strengthen their cleaning and housekeeping operations, and ensure they’re well-prepared for the busy months ahead.
October is Safe Work Month, and at ahs hospitality, it’s our time to pause, reflect, and celebrate what truly keeps our teams strong: safety. This year’s theme, “Be Prepared. Be Safe.”, captures the proactive approach we take to safety every day. As Jay Markland, Safety and Quality General Manager, explains: “Every day, we assess our tasks, identify risks, and put the right steps in place to keep our people safe. These risk assessments help shape our training and procedures, because when we follow our processes, we protect not just ourselves, but each other.” Throughout the month, we’ve focused on a new topic each week, exploring how small, everyday habits can make a big difference and help us create a safer workplace for everyone.
At ahs hospitality, Housekeeping Week is more than a celebration. It is a chance to shine a spotlight on the people who are truly at the heart of hospitality. Across Australia and New Zealand, our housekeeping teams are the ones who make every guest stay special, combining skill, care, and professionalism with a passion that sets them apart.
As spring approaches, businesses across Australia and New Zealand prepare for an influx of travellers, diners, conferences, and special events. This makes spring cleaning more than just a seasonal ritual, it’s a strategic step in ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction, protecting your property’s reputation and staying ahead during the busy season. At ahs hospitality, with over 30 years of experience in housekeeping services, we know what it takes to get rooms, restaurants, and facilities truly guest-ready. That’s why we’ve put together a practical deep-cleaning checklist to help your team prepare for spring.
At ahs hospitality, we believe that great leadership has no borders. Through our New Zealand International Student Program, we proudly welcome skilled and driven individuals from around the world, providing them with meaningful opportunities to grow into confident and capable leaders within the hospitality industry. Meet Nirmal and Krishna, two dedicated professionals from Nepal who joined ahs hospitality through this program. Arriving in New Zealand with ambition and determination, they now hold 2IC (Second-in-Charge) leadership roles in some of the country’s busiest hotels. Their journeys reflect more than just career success. They are stories of resilience, growth, and discovering a strong sense of purpose in a new environment.
Winter brings cooler mornings, shorter days, and a few extra challenges for those working in hospitality. At ahs hospitality, our teams continue to deliver exceptional service across hotels and accommodation sites, even when the temperature drops. So how do we stay energised, healthy, and motivated through the colder months? Here’s how our people keep the winter blues at bay while staying focused and connected on the job. Powering Up the Day with Morning Briefings Powering Up the Day with Morning Briefings A focused start sets the tone for a productive day. Our teams begin each shift with a daily morning briefing, a dedicated time to align on priorities, review room allocations, discuss any guest feedback, get some stretches in and highlight key reminders for the day ahead. This simple but powerful routine helps create clarity, boost team energy, and ensure everyone is working together toward the same goals right from the start.
