most challenging to me i think was that, in addition to the guest rooms and the kitchen and the breakfast room, so many other areas need attention. it's endless!
the common areas where guests can sit have to be emptied of trash, dusted, vacumed, freshened ... spilled coffee and sugar and coffee rings etc on counter tops and tables, random objects in hallways, smudges on mirrors, windows and doors ... the entrance needing to be swept clean... front porch, decks ... plus checking guests out and in throughout ... just the sheer volume of places and things needing attention can be overwhelming. all aspirings need to know just how hard this can be and how valuable some help is!
it's like getting the whole house ready for special company to come visit who notice everything but never help.
i would sometimes go out the front door and come in as though i were checking in ... then i'd notice things.
one time i spent from dawn to dusk cooking, serving, cleaning, flipping, doing guest reception, i was taking a break ... i was standing looking out at the harbor with a cup of coffee in my hand and two people were walking by. i heard someone say 'that looks awful'. what could look awful? there was a paper cup with trash inside it shoved into one of my window boxes!!.