Meet Cheryle: ahs hospitality's legendary employee of 29 years!

Lucia Fong • October 10, 2023

We're thrilled to celebrate 30 incredible years of hotel housekeeping excellence at ahs hospitality, where we've been proudly delivering our hotel housekeeping solutions across Australia and New Zealand to our clients.

As we reflect on this journey, we had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with our longest serving employee, Cheryle, who has been an integral part of the ahs hospitality community for 29 amazing years! Join us as we dive into Cheryle's unforgettable moments and her best-kept housekeeping secrets in our exclusive interview.

ahs hospitality: What inspired you to work in hotel housekeeping?

Cheryle: When my children were in school, I wanted to find work that would provide me with a great work life balance and flexible hours so I can still be there for them. When I saw ahs hospitality advertising for a Room Attendant position and offered flexible hours where I could still drop them off and pick them up from school - I knew this was exactly what I was looking for.

ahs hospitality: How has the housekeeping department evolved since you started in 1994, and what changes do you appreciate the most?

Cheryle: A lot of our tools we use to clean rooms and public areas today are a lot easier and safer to use from when I first joined ahs hospitality, all thanks to the advancements in technology we have seen these past 30 years. I also appreciate the industry’s move, especially within our business, to more sustainable business practices.

ahs hospitality: What is your most memorable experience or interaction with a guest?

Cheryle: I enjoy positive guest interactions at any level, whether they be a well-known VIP, to returned guests on their annual family holiday or business trip. I particularly love having a chat with guests when they stay with us as it allows me to learn more about them to enhance their stay. Though, my most memorable guest experience was when a lot of VIPS were staying in our hotel in Perth and they took the time to have a chat to all of us in the housekeeping team and thanking us for making their stay so comfortable and pleasurable!

ahs hospitality: What is the funniest or most interesting request made by guests during your time as a Room Attendant?

Cheryle: We had this guest that did not use the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and did not like to wear their shoes inside their room. So he left a message for all us housekeepers that when there were shoes outside the door, there was no need to enter or clean the room 😉.

ahs hospitality: What is one housekeeping cleaning secret you wish everyone knew?

Cheryle: Always stretch and warm up your body before cleaning when you know you will be doing some bending and lifting. It is so important to work safely and listen to your body to help keep your well-being and physical health front of mind. By doing this, it will allow you to be your best self when interacting with guests and other people. And another housekeeping cleaning secret, which is not really a secret, is to not use your back when making your bed! These secrets can not only be used within hotel housekeeping but when cleaning at home too.

ahs hospitality: What do you think makes ahs hospitality such a great company to work for all these years?

Cheryle: After all these years working with ahs hospitality they have always been a great company to work for as a working mum who needs flexible working hours. Working with ahs hospitality, you can nominate what days and hours you can work, and you can go and work at other client hotels in the area when the one you are currently working for is not at full room capacity. ahs hospitality have many loyal hotel clients here in Perth so there is always work. And if you are moving interstate, you can transfer hotels, and stay with the company.

ahs hospitality: What advice would you offer to new team members who aspire to have a long and successful career in hotel housekeeping?

Cheryle: My advice is to first work as a Housekeeping Room Attendant as this provides a fantastic opportunity to learn the core principles of Housekeeping. Learn how to perform your tasks well as it will help you grow into training and leadership roles if this is the direction you want to go in your career. There are always opportunities to learn and grow at ahs hospitality.

Safe Work Month 2025: Be Prepared. Be Safe

By Camilla Yang • October 20, 2025
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.

Housekeeping Week 2025: Celebrating the Heart of Hospitality

By Camilla Yang • September 28, 2025
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.

Your Spring Guide to Deep-Cleaning Hotels and Commercial Venues

By Camilla Yang • August 19, 2025
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.

Fight the Flu with Confidence: Smart Cleaning for Hotels, Homes & Offices

By Camilla Yang • July 29, 2025
As temperatures fall, flu season begins to set in, making it more important than ever to stay on top of cleanliness and hygiene. Whether you're managing a bustling hotel, working from a shared office, or keeping your home safe for loved ones, effective cleaning is your first line of defence. At ahs hospitality, we understand the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment all year round. Here’s how you can boost your cleaning routine this flu season across different settings. Hotels: Keeping Guests Safe and Comfortable Your guests may not always see the cleaning in action, but they can feel the results. Sanitise the High-Touch Areas Light switches, lift buttons, and remote controls should be sanitised frequently to reduce the spread of germs. Improve Air Circulation Clean air-conditioning filters and ensure proper airflow. A fresh, well-ventilated room helps reduce airborne flu particles. Support Your Housekeeping Team Equip your staff with PPE and flu-season protocols to keep everyone safe and confident in their role. Stay Protected with a Flu Vaccination At ahs hospitality, we’re committed to keeping our team healthy during flu season. In states where flu vaccinations aren’t already covered, we offer free flu vaccinations to our staff as an added layer of protection.

Inside ahs hospitality: How Our Teams Stay Energised During the Cold Season

By Camilla Yang • June 24, 2025
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 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.

ahs hospitality Commits to Workplace Safety and Prevention of Sexual Harassment

By Camilla Yang • May 9, 2025
At ahs hospitality, the safety and well-being of our people come first. As part of our ongoing commitment to building respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free environments across Australia and New Zealand, we are proud to share our strengthened Sexual Harassment Prevention Plan. This initiative is about more than compliance, it’s about culture. We want every employee to feel safe, supported, and empowered, no matter where they work. That means taking proactive, meaningful steps to identify risk, educate teams, and foster environments built on trust and mutual respect. Why It Matters? Sexual harassment is unlawful and unacceptable under any circumstances. It refers to unreasonable, uninvited, or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, or threatened. Importantly, it does not need to be directed at a specific individual or intended to cause harm to be considered harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between any individuals, regardless of gender, and can take place both in and outside the workplace, including on-site, online, or at work-related events. We understand that power imbalances and fear of retaliation can make it difficult for individuals to speak up. That’s why we’re building a workplace culture where reporting is safe, respected, and supported—and where prevention is a shared responsibility. What We’ve Reviewed To strengthen our prevention plan, we began by thoroughly reviewing our existing policies, training, and risk controls to ensure alignment with current laws and best practices. Through internal consultations and risk assessments, we confirmed strong foundational practices already in place, including: A comprehensive Respect at Work policy Equal Employment & Anti-Discrimination policy Anti-Bullying & Victimisation policy Workplace Mental Health policy Health & Safety Commitments Statement Behaviour in the Workplace training Anonymous reporting hotline Regular site risk assessments and inspections

Housekeeping Secrets: Create a Spa-Like Retreat at Home with Hotel-Inspired Cleaning

By Camilla Yang • April 11, 2025
April has arrived, and with it comes school holidays, Easter celebrations, and a well-earned chance to relax. If you're not heading away, why not turn your home into the ultimate staycation spot? At ahs hospitality, we know a thing or two about creating fresh, inviting spaces. Now we're sharing our favourite tips to help you bring that hotel-level luxury into your everyday — because you deserve a little self-care this holiday season. 

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion at ahs hospitality

By Camilla Yang • March 25, 2025
Last week marked Cultural Diversity Week, and at ahs hospitality, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We're proud to highlight the diverse, inclusive, and people-centred culture that makes our workplace truly exceptional. A Truly Multiculture Team Our team proudly represents 88 different nationalities—a reflection of the global community. Each culture enriches our workplaces with fresh perspectives, diverse talents, and unique experiences, making our service stronger, warmer, and more authentic. Women Powering Our Team Did you know 69% of our housekeeping team are women? We celebrate their invaluable contributions and continuously foster an environment of growth, leadership, and opportunity for all women at ahs hospitality. This International Women’s Day, one of our client hotels celebrated the incredible women within the housekeeping team, showcasing their dedication and excellence. 

5 Easy Tips to Keep Your Workspace Clean and Refreshing

By Camilla Yang • February 14, 2025
We get it—between back-to-back meetings and endless emails, keeping your workspace clean often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But a tidy office not only boosts productivity but also creates a positive impression for clients and employees. At ahs hospitality, we believe a clean workspace leads to sharper minds and happier teams. Ready to refresh your workspace? Here are some easy and practical cleaning tips to help you maintain a clean workspace (and yes, we’ll help you keep it spotless too!).

Housekeeping 2025: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality

By Camilla Yang • January 22, 2025
Housekeeping 2025: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality As we step into 2025, the world of housekeeping is evolving rapidly, driven by new technology, sustainable practices, and innovative workforce solutions. In this blog, we’ll uncover the must-know trends in housekeeping, revealing how they empower businesses to stay ahead in this dynamic landscape. Let’s dive in!