When Samantha Douglas walks into a room, she’ll spot things nobody else will see but need her immediate attention. And she won’t leave until everything reaches her exacting standards. As Coppergate Serviced Accommodation’s Housekeeper in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and Waltham, she delivers that extra level of attention to detail that elevates serviced accommodation above and beyond even the best hotel accommodation.
Attention to Detail
Samantha honed her attention to detail in a very different career.
“I was a hairdresser,” says Samantha. “I loved that job. I worked for one of my very best friends in a really busy salon.
While hairdressing and housekeeping are very different jobs, Samatha sees similarities between the roles.
“When you are responsible for looking after something as important as your clients’ hair, making sure they leave the salon delighted is very important. A good hairdresser will build real relationships with their clients that last for years. Those skills have served me well in the hospitality industry.”
After 18 happy years as a hairdresser, Samantha found herself at a crossroads.
“My friend and her business partner decided to sell the salon and I really didn’t know what I was going to do next,” says Samantha. “But in one of those crazy, ‘sliding doors’ moments, my friend Helen Warman suggested that my skills could easily be transferred to the hospitality industry.”
Sliding Doors - From Hairdressing to Hospitality
Helen invited Samantha to view one of the properties she was developing. She explained there may be an opportunity for a detail-oriented housekeeper to look after her serviced accommodation.
“I loved her vision and said ‘yes’ straight away,” says Samantha. “With Helen’s encouragement and the support of e-Factor, I quickly set up my business, Lotus Commercial Housekeeping, and haven’t looked back since. I’m 12 months into my journey as a business owner and very much enjoying the ride.”
A Day in the Life of a Housekeeper
Samantha is often the first person guests will meet when arriving at a Coppergate SA property.
“It’s my job to make sure they feel at home and as comfortable as possible,” says Samantha. “Before guests arrive, it’s a big job to ensure the properties match our exacting standards. There’s a lot of laundry and cleaning. We constantly inspect the property and do inventory checks to ensure everything is as it should be.”
However, Samantha’s housekeeping duties go way beyond cleaning and essential maintenance.
“We like to get to know our guests personally and make sure they have everything they need to be comfortable,” says Samantha. “Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Some of our guests thrive on coffee. So we make sure there is always a constant supply of their favourite brand in the kitchen. It’s just that little bit extra that helps them feel more at home. We try to tailor the experience to individual guests’ needs, and obviously, it works because we see a lot of repeat business.”
Why Guests Prefer Staying in Serviced Accommodation
Coppergate SA’s guests come from many walks of life.
“We have a lot of people coming to the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area who work in the renewable energy sector,” says Samantha. But we also see people employed in the food industry and other businesses along the Humber bank. We’ve even had television documentary filmmakers stay with us. It’s mainly corporate, but occasionally, we welcome families to our properties who need to find temporary accommodation due to an insurance-related problem at home.
Many guests come to Coppergate SA after becoming disillusioned with hotels.
“In hotels, they just have a bed and a bathroom,” says Samantha. “They have to go out to find something to eat. It’s really not a very healthy lifestyle, particularly if you are doing it for weeks or months at a time.”
Guests at Coppergate SA have complete use of the house.
“Whether they stay alone in a one-bedroom property or share with a colleague in our two-bedroom homes, they have their own bathroom and access to a comfortable living space and fully equipped kitchen,” says Samantha. “They can come home after a long day at work, have a shower, put on their pyjamas, cook a meal, stick the TV on, and relax, just like they are at home.”
In the summer months, guests can also enjoy the exclusive use of a large, private garden.
“If they want to sit out, they can have a natter and enjoy a few drinks before having their evening meal,” says Samantha. “All this helps our guests relax and prepare for the next working day.”
Housekeeping Inspiration
When Samantha isn’t at work, she admits to indulging in a little “guilty pleasure”—but all in the name of professional improvement.
“I do watch a lot of YouTube videos about the luxury hotel sector,” says Samantha. “I want to see what makes these amazing places feel so luxurious. I like to look at the rooms and see how the beds are made and everything is presented. If I can learn anything from those videos, I’ll try incorporating it into what we do at Coppergate SA.”
Samantha’s Happy Place
When Samantha isn’t helping Coppergate SA’s guests feel at home, she enjoys travel.
“I love Italy,” says Samantha. I’ve travelled all over the country, but my heart belongs in Rome. I love everything about the city’s history and culture. You can never tire of seeing the Colosseum. We’ve made good friends out there, and I just love sitting out in the sun in the evening and enjoying watching the world go about its business.”
