Housekeeping: it’s simply the best

From a teenager starting out in hospitality to a fantastic role at a remarkable London hotel.

If you are still coming across people who don’t see housekeeping as a rewarding career, simply point them to the working life story of Elinda Keenan, the new executive housekeeper at Hyatt’s Andaz London Liverpool Street. Elinda is now responsible for the upkeep and management of 267 luxury guest rooms, including 15 suites, as well as playing a key part in team management, including helping to develop her colleagues’ skills through training and providing holistic wellbeing support.

It’s some climb from where she started at the bottom of the housekeeping tree at 16 years old, having begun in hospitality at just 14 as a waitress in Glasgow. Some 11 years ago Elinda moved to Hertfordshire, where she worked in multiple hotel departments and trained in 5-star silver service, coming to realise her passion for housekeeping beat other hospitality opportunities.

So Elinda pursued the housekeeping route at renowned hotel brands Marriott, Jury’s and Hilton, and now brings 20 years of experience in the field to Andaz London, where she continues delivering 5-star luxury standards.

Elinda says: “I am incredibly proud and excited to be joining the Andaz London team. This hotel is unique, and I feel privileged to be part of an amazing team helping people to create fantastic memories that will one day become part of this unique building’s history.”

She will ensure smooth operations within the housekeeping department, with the overall goal of consistently achieving utmost cleanliness, comfort and presentation for all guests. Her tasks include departmental rota preparation, budget management and payroll organisation, alongside general and VIP housekeeping responsibilities.

General manager of Andaz London Mario Flanagan, comments: “The feeling of being at-home and in a comfort zone is key to our guest experience at Andaz London. I am confident that Elinda will continue to deliver these brand standards owing to her experience and firm understanding of the Andaz London identity”. Known for its award-winning photogenic interiors that combine the creative culture of East London with the traditional city, Andaz London aims to embody the ethos of ‘home’ in each of its spacious and modern guest room designs. As the Executive Housekeeper of the historic property, Elinda’s role will require her to ensure that this goal is met at all times, conserving all the aesthetics of the hotel.

The hotel is a lovely blend of old and new, making the most of 19th century heritage combined with today’s contemporary culture and design There are welcoming winged-backed chairs by Morgan, bespoke bijou walnut desks and super plush beds. Large photographer’s lamps by Artisan reinforce the theme of playfulness and create a warm atmosphere. Andaz London Liverpool Street has five restaurants and bars, each with its own distinctive character and unique offering. In her spare time, Elinda enjoys spending time with her family, both at home in Glasgow and with her father in southern England. Alongside reading and meditation, Elinda loves exploring new places and trying new foods with her partner, who also works in hospitality – so it’s probably a good thing she loves her work so much!

Other changes at Andaz London Liverpool Street include the promotion of Vanessa Franzé to director of rooms, where she’s worked for nearly seven years, rising from shift leader to various front office roles prior to becoming rooms division manager last year, while Lorraine Asuncion Coloyan is now guest associate coordinator.

As well as celebrating International Housekeeping Week, the hotel highlights the life and work of members of the team and local creative people through its series of #BeWhoYouAre interviews. Recently the spotlight fell on Iria Martínez Tedín, executive assistant housekeeper. She reveals: “At work I feel comfortable being myself, knowing that I don’t need to be anybody else, not having any scripts ¬ – and I can be full Iria, no filters.”