Who this is for: owners, general managers, and housekeeping staff at hotels, hotel groups, and resorts who run an evening turndown service.
This checklist covers evening turndown, not the daily housekeeping round. Turndown is a shorter, comfort-focused service run later in the day. A separate housekeeping checklist covers the main room clean and turnover.
What's Included in This Template
- A grouped turndown checklist covering entry through final checks
- A turndown service log for tracking guest opt-ins and timing
- A section on checking guest preferences before the round starts
Key Template Sections
- Before You Begin: the entry protocol every round starts with.
- Bed Preparation: the core comfort setup for the night.
- Room Ambiance and Tidy: lighting, temperature, and tidiness.
- Bathroom Refresh: a lighter refresh, not a full clean.
- Final Checks Before Leaving: what gets verified before closing the door.
- Turndown Service Log: the record tied to each room and shift.
Turndown Service Checklist
Before You Begin
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knock and announce housekeeping before entering | ☐ | |
| Confirm guest permission to enter, if your property requires it | ☐ |
Bed Preparation
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remove decorative pillows and set out sleeping pillows | ☐ | |
| Fold the duvet or top sheet back at a 45- or 90-degree angle | ☐ | |
| Place complimentary water on the bedside table | ☐ | |
| Place a welcome treat or sleep card on the bed, if provided | ☐ | |
| Set slippers neatly beside the bed | ☐ |
Room Ambiance and Tidy
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Close curtains, blinds, or blackout drapes | ☐ | |
| Turn on bedside lamps to a soft setting, and turn off bright overhead lights | ☐ | |
| Adjust the thermostat to a comfortable sleep temperature (68-72°F) | ☐ | |
| Remove used room-service trays, cups, and empty trash bins | ☐ | |
| Straighten scattered personal items or newspapers politely, without moving guest belongings unnecessarily | ☐ |
Bathroom Refresh
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace used towels with fresh, clean bath and hand towels | ☐ | |
| Wipe down sink counters and tidy the vanity area | ☐ | |
| Restock soap, shampoo, and tissue as needed | ☐ | |
| Place a clean bathmat on the floor | ☐ |
Final Checks Before Leaving
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check and replenish minibar items, if applicable | ☐ | |
| Ensure TV and other electronics are switched off, if appropriate | ☐ | |
| Check that doors and windows are securely closed | ☐ | |
| Spray a light room freshener, if your property's policy allows it | ☐ | |
| Complete a final room inspection before closing the door | ☐ |
Full minibar stock counts and replenishment don't belong in this checklist. A separate minibar inventory template handles that tracking.
Turndown Service Log
| Date | Room Number | Time | Attendant | Guest Requested? | Completed | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | ☐ | |||||
| ☐ | ☐ | |||||
| ☐ | ☐ | |||||
| ☐ | ☐ |
Logging Guest Preferences and Special Requests
Some guests need something different during turndown. A pet accommodation, an allergy note, or a standing do-not-disturb preference.
roommaster's guest profiles store preferences and history for quick access. These details don't have to be rediscovered room by room. Check the guest profile before starting the round, not after a guest flags something missed.
How Do You Use This Checklist?
Run turndown as its own routine, separate from the daily housekeeping round.
- Run turndown at a consistent time each evening, so guests know when to expect it.
- Check the guest profile before starting, so known preferences aren't missed.
- Follow the groups in order, from entry protocol through final checks.
- Log the round immediately after, not from memory later.
- Flag anything unusual in the comments field, so the next shift has context.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the knock-and-announce step, even on a routine round.
- Missing a logged guest preference because the profile wasn't checked first.
- Leaving the guest requested service field blank, losing track of who opted in.
- Treating turndown as identical to the daily housekeeping round.
- Skipping the final room inspection before closing the door.
Turndown Service by Property Type
Turndown service concentrates on specific property types, similar to minibar programs.
This applies at full detail to Independent Hotels, Hotel Groups, and Resorts. Motels, B&Bs, hostels, and parks typically don't offer turndown service at all. It's a full-service amenity tied to a higher service tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the difference between turndown service and daily housekeeping?
Daily housekeeping is the main room clean. Turndown is a shorter evening service focused on comfort and bedtime prep.
2. Does every hotel offer turndown service?
No. It concentrates in full-service hotels, hotel groups, and resorts. Motels, B&Bs, hostels, and parks typically don't offer it.
3. Should guest preferences be checked before every turndown round?
Yes. Checking the guest profile first catches requests staff wouldn't otherwise know about.
4. How does minibar replenishment fit into turndown?
It's a quick check during the round. Full stock tracking runs through a separate minibar inventory template.
5. Should turndown be logged the same way as daily housekeeping?
Not identically. Turndown logs track guest-requested opt-ins and timing, which daily housekeeping logs don't need.
