Celebrating Our Hotel Engineers: The Unsung Heroes of Hospitality
During National Engineers Week, we take a moment to shine a spotlight on our incredible hotel maintenance associates—the problem-solvers, innovators, and behind-the-scenes experts who keep our properties running smoothly. To give deeper insight into the world of hotel engineering, we sat down with Tim Laughton, our Corporate Director of Engineering, to talk about innovation, safety, and the passion that drives his team.
Innovation in Engineering
When asked how engineers bring innovation to their roles, Tim emphasized the importance of adaptability:
“One must always be open to entertaining new ideas and constantly seeking new ways to improve our hotels. We are in an ever-changing industry, in an evolving world, and the only constant is embracing change. Technologies that track and reduce energy usage, transitioning from gas to electric to lower our carbon footprint—these are just some of the ways we can make a difference in our role.”
The Hidden Work of Hotel Engineers
Many don’t realize just how much care and precision go into maintaining a hotel’s Life Safety systems. According to Tim:
“Most people don’t know how much effort goes into fire inspections and upholding the strict standards—testing alarms, horns, strobes annually, sprinkler flow tests quarterly, and ensuring hallways remain clear in case of an emergency. If guests ever need to exit a building in the dark or through smoke, our work ensures they can do so safely. Life Safety of our guests and assocaites is the #1 priority, and it’s the engineer’s responsibility to uphold it.”
Going the Extra Mile for Guests
Sometimes, engineering excellence is measured in the moments that matter most. Tim shared a story about a time his quick thinking prevented a wedding day disaster:
“A wedding party had spent the day at the pool and was heading back to their rooms to get ready when one of our property’s boilers went down—cutting off hot water to their side of the hotel. We immediately started receiving complaints, and knowing the impact this could have on their big day, I worked with the Front Desk Manager to take some rooms out of order for them to shower in. We didn’t have time for full room changes, so this was the best solution. By the time they returned that night, the boiler was back online, and their wedding day went on as planned. They were so grateful and understanding of the situation.”
Our engineering teams collaborate with every department to create the best experiences for guests and protect the owner’s assets. Whether it’s ensuring a pristine arrival experience, maintaining associate safe & sound programs, fixing a downed AC unit, or cleaning the pool, engineers are integral to every aspect of the hotel.
The Drive to Excel
For hotel engineers, taking care of a property isn’t just a job—it’s a point of pride.
“The guests are spending their hard-earned money on their stay, and they deserve top quality, above and beyond the norm. The exceptional work we put into the properties gives guests such a great experience that they want to tell others about it. And that’s the best advertisement—word of mouth. At the same time, owners invest in these buildings to see a return, and we want their bottom line to be something they’re happy with. At the end of the day, it’s about creating a place of memories.”
Our engineering teams collaborate with every department to create the best experiences for guests and protect the owner’s assets. Whether it’s ensuring a pristine arrival experience, maintaining associate safe & sound programs, fixing a downed AC unit, or cleaning the pool, engineers are integral to every aspect of the hotel.
“Hotel engineers are the ultimate problem solvers—combining the art of hospitality with the technical expertise needed to keep every detail running smoothly. They are the heartbeat of our hotels.”
This week, and every week, we celebrate and thank our engineering rock stars for all they do!
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24seven Hotels
