Writing your hotel SOPs shouldn’t feel like a root canal. I will share how to create your hotel’s SOP manual step-by-step without the stress.

Ever feel like you’re spinning plates while juggling knives—and a guest just asked for a gluten-free croissant at 10:03 PM?

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If you’re an independent hotel owner, you’re not alone.

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Running a hotel without clear systems is like building a sandcastle in the tide. Beautiful… until it isn’t.

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You need structure. But not the kind that strangles. What you need is a Hotel SOP Manual—one that actually helps, not haunts your dreams.

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And guess what? You can build it without losing your mind or locking yourself in the linen closet with a bottle of wine.

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Let’s unpack the how.

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Why You Can’t Afford to Wing It Anymore

You may have started with good instincts and a smile. But as bookings grow, so do the cracks.

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One day it’s a missed wake-up call. The next, it’s your night porter deciding the minibar’s “just a suggestion.”

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Guests notice. Reviews dip. Staff get snappy. And you’re back to covering the front desk during Sunday brunch.

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A well-crafted SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) manual isn’t just a checklist. It’s your hotel’s playbook, culture keeper, and silent manager when you’re offsite—or just plain offline.

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It saves you from micromanaging and gives your team confidence.

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It’s not bureaucracy. It’s freedom.

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Start with What’s Already Working

Don’t invent processes from scratch. You’re already doing a lot right.

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Next time you check in a guest, pay attention to how you do it. Do you offer water? Ask about allergies? Share your Wi-Fi password with a handwritten note?

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Perfect. Write it down.

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Same goes for cleaning routines, late check-outs, social media responses, even the way you fold your toilet paper (we see you, fancy triangle folder!).

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Ask your team what they do daily. Most likely, they’ve already developed informal SOPs on their own. Capture those.

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Start with one department at a time: Front Desk, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Food & Beverage. Go with what’s most urgent or chaotic first.

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And yes, chaos is a great compass.

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Keep It Short, Sharp and Shareable

If your SOP looks like the next Booker Prize nominee, nobody will read it.

Each SOP should be:

• One task per page

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• Step-by-step in clear, active language

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• No fluff, no fancy words (save “bespoke” for the cheese menu)

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• Visual when possible: photos, screenshots, diagrams, cheat sheets

Example:

“Clean Room 203” is not an SOP.
“Housekeeping – Standard Room Turnover” is.
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And under that, bullet points:

• Knock twice, announce entry

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• Collect laundry in blue bag

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• Replace amenities 

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• Vacuum, mop, final check

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• Sign housekeeping log

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Repeat across departments. Done is better than perfect.

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SOP Templates Are Your New Best Friend

Want to know the real hotelier’s secret?

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Templates.

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You don’t need to build your SOPs from the abyss. You can customise what already exists.

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Use free templates online or pull from software like Trello, Notion, or Google Docs. Better yet, copy from your own experience.

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And yes, we’ve included a starter SOP template for download at the end of this article. You’re welcome.

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Remember, it doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be functional.

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Train With It, Not Just For It

Don’t let your SOP gather digital dust.

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Use it during onboarding. Refer to it during staff meetings. Update it monthly with team input.

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When something goes wrong, resist the urge to rant. Instead, ask: “Is this in the SOP? If not, let’s add it.”

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Reward staff for suggesting updates. You’ll be surprised how many want structure—they just didn’t know how to ask for it.

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Version 1 Beats Version None

Waiting for the perfect SOP manual is like waiting for a unicorn cab to pick you up at 5 AM in the rain.

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A simple, usable version today beats the “ideal” version six months from now.

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Start with your top five procedures. Build from there. You’re not writing the Magna Carta—you’re writing how to unlock the breakfast fridge.

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Simple. Repeatable. Empowering.

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Running a hotel without a plan? That’s like sailing without a rudder.
Romantic…

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Until the storm hits.

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Get the “Your Independent Hotel Blueprint”. Seven proven steps to calm the chaos.

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Download it now—before the next wave hits.

You can find a link in the show notes.

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What’s one SOP your team could use today to save everyone time and stress?

Tell us in the comments below.

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Your Key Takeaways:

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In Conclusion

You didn’t open your hotel to become a full-time firefighter. An SOP manual gives your business rhythm, clarity, and sanity.

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Start small. Keep it human. Let it grow.

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You’ll sleep better knowing your staff don’t need to text you at midnight to ask where the spare key is.

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Want more? This topic is just one part of the bigger picture we cover in The Hotel Owner’s Roadmap: Start, Manage & Grow course. Dive deeper, get templates, and join a community that gets it.