The big guide to smarter housekeeping for boutique hotels.
Running a boutique hotel is a constant balancing act.
You’re delivering a unique and intimate guest experience, often with a smaller team and a more limited footprint than the big players, yet expectations remain just as high. Immaculate rooms, crisp linens, spotless plates, fast turnarounds, and minimal downtime - all while keeping costs and efficiency top of mind.
That’s no small task.
Enter the idea of a ‘360° approach’ to hotel operations, an integrated model where your laundry, dishwashing, cleaning, and maintenance services are smarter, more efficient, and better connected. At Miele Professional, we have been working closely with independent hoteliers across the UK to do just that.
Here’s how a 360° approach can transform boutique hotel operations.copy text
1. Rethinking laundry - more control, less waste
In-house laundries (also known as ‘On-Premises Laundry’ or OPL) are becoming increasingly popular. Research conducted by Miele Professional last year found that 92% of hospitality professionals believe having control over laundry cleanliness directly impacts the overall customer experience - and with reputation driving the success of small businesses such as boutique hotels, every detail counts.
As energy prices rise and outsourcing becomes less reliable, more boutique hotels are turning to in-house laundry operations. This not only enables faster room turnaround and reduces the risk of lost linens but also rovides greater control over energy and water usage, essential for both sustainability and cost savings. The latest generation of commercial washers and dryers, including Miele’s Benchmark range, are designed with this shift in mind. They can handle everything from everyday bed linen to feather duvets and delicate silks, with tailored programmes that optimise for fibre type, load size, and hygiene level. And crucially, they’re getting faster and
greener - some machines now wash up to 11kg of laundry in under 50 minutes, using as little as 7.2 litres of water per kilo.
That’s a win for your team, your budget, and the planet.
Tip
Even if you’ve got limited space, compact solutions like Miele’s Little Giants can fit into as little as 1m², including stacked options for really snug corners.
Wet cleaning: a sustainable alternative to dry cleaning
To uphold guest satisfaction, many hotels offer garment care - whether it’s guest items or staff uniforms. Traditionally, this has meant sending things off to be dry-cleaned, but that’s changing too.
WetCare, a water-based cleaning system, is becoming an increasingly popular (and planetfriendlier) alternative. It’s kinder on fibres like silk, wool and leather, and doesn’t involve the harsh solvents associated with dry cleaning.
Wastewater from WetCare systems is also greywater-compatible, which means it can be treated like standard wastewater - good news if you’re watching your environmental impact.
This kind of cleaning can be done in-house too, using equipment that looks and runs much like a regular washing machine, just with a bit more muscle under the hood.
2. Dishwashing that keeps up, and cleans up!
If you run a boutique hotel kitchen, you’ll know the quiet stress of a growing pile of glassware on a Friday evening, or dirty crockery stacked high after a busy Sunday lunch. Traditional domestic dishwashers often can’t keep up, especially when space is limited and there’s no room to run multiple machines.
How can you keep silverware shining and glassware sparkling clean?
High-throughput commercial dishwashers, like Miele’s MasterLine washers, are becoming the go-to choice for smaller hotels. They can run up to 40 cycles per day with full disinfection, including rinse temperatures reaching 93°C - eliminating 99.999% of bacteria and viruses in just five minutes.
There’s also been a shift towards dishwashers that are easier to use and manage; helpful when you’ve got a busy or multitasking team. Features like intuitive touch screens, autodosing for detergent, and remote monitoring via digital platforms mean fewer errors, faster cycles, and less water and energy per wash.
3. Sustainable hospitality: tangible steps that make a difference
Sustainability in hotels isn’t just about banning plastic straws or offering a ‘no towel change’ option. Guests are increasingly looking for hotels that make meaningful changes behind the scenes, and boutique hotels are no exception. Our research shows that this focus on sustainability is shared by the industry itself:
- 89% of hospitality professionals stated that sustainability is important in their organisation’s mission and values.
- 84% of hospitality professionals say that reducing emissions and carbon footprint is an important consideration when thinking about having an on-premise laundry.
Tip
Miele’s Little Giants dryers use minimal energy thanks to their heatpump technology, which is 60% more efficient than conventional drying methods.
4. Going digital and understanding your data
Boutique hotels pride themselves on offering a personalised, high-touch guest experience, but behind the scenes, operations are often stretched. With smaller teams covering multiple roles, managing laundry and dishwashing equipment can be a time-consuming task. This is where digital platforms like Miele MOVE Connect offer a unique advantage, one that businesses may not have considered before.
Miele MOVE Connect simplifies equipment oversight across laundry and dishwashing, allowing hotel teams to manage operations remotely via any internet-enabled device. For hotels without dedicated facilities managers, this means being able to monitor machine availability, cycle progress, and performance data in real time - keeping things running smoothly even during peak periods.
Key benefits include:
- Remote monitoring - View machine status, cycle progress, and performance data anytime, from anywhere.
- Real-time fault alerts - Get instant notifications of any issues and forward them to service technicians to reduce downtime.
- Custom dashboards - Show only the most relevant data for your team such as hygiene compliance, usage trends, or machine availability.
- Personalisation - Label machines and locations, set tailored notifications, and configure the platform to suit your setup.
- Faster service response - Technicians can access machine details and required spare parts immediately, cutting down delays and repeat visits.
5. Service and maintenance that goes the extra mile.
At Miele, we understand the level of investment small businesses make in commercial equipment, which is why reliability, longevity, and support are built into everything we do. Our commercial laundry and dishwashing machines are tested to 30,000 cycles - the equivalent of eight cycles a day, seven days a week, for over 10 years.
That’s a decade of service before replacement, and significantly fewer resources used in manufacturing, transport, and disposal. For hoteliers, that means lower long-term costs and a stronger sustainability message for eco-conscious guests. For everyone else, it means fewer resources consumed, day in and day out. And should your equipment ever need servicing, Miele is always ready to help. Our PROtect service plans are the all-inclusive packages that are tailored to your business’ needs. With our team of experts on hand to help with repairs, spare parts or event transparent advice, your hotel’s machinery will become more efficient and effective as ever.
With a 90+% first-visit fix rate, you can trust that downtime will be kept to a minimum. This level of dependability is especially critical for boutique hotels, which are often located in some of the UK’s most exclusive, and remote, destinations. In these settings, delays in maintenance can quickly cause disruption, making fast, expert support not just a benefit, but a necessity. Our network of selected, trained, and approved partners pans the entire UK, delivering reliable care and total peace of mind.
To conclude - efficiency is the new luxury
“We know that boutique hotels thrive on individuality, charm, and attention to detail. But behind the scenes, the operational challenges are very real, especially with rising costs and growing expectations. By investing in smart, sustainable solutions, you’re not just improving daily operations — you’re strengthening your business, protecting your bottom line, and improving the guest experience. And, just as importantly, you’re helping to maintain the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build, ensuring that your hotel consistently meets guest expectations. However, luxury doesn’t need to be a costly investment either. At Miele, we focus on providing commercial solutions that offer both quality and flexibility, helping businesses achieve their full potential. By working with our network of approved partners, boutique hotels can access the full Miele experience with affordable rental contracts that include regular maintenance, ensuring peace of mind and operational efficiency.”
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what our customers have to say
“By using Miele machines that promise quality, we benefit from smooth and effective processes that contribute hugely to the venue’s level of service.”
Dr Candice Roundell, Custodian at Dorfold Hall
“The capacity provided by the Miele machines means we can get through so much more. We’re able to stay on top of our laundry, which is key as we continue to grow as a business.”
Charlotte Bloor, Assistant Facilities Manager at Daylesford
“The machines deliver, that’s what it comes down to. They’re reliable and consistent, and having the backup of such professional aftercare makes all the difference.”
Susan Martin, Business Owner of Bryn Tanat
Interested in learning more?
At Miele Professional, we’re more than just a supplier, we offer holistic solutions that work together seamlessly, forming a true partnership with your business. 360PRO, our all-in-one system solution for the commercial sector, delivers perfectly coordinated components from a single source. From consultancy to installation and maintaining machines, and finally to ongoing support and optimisation, we’re with you every step of the way. This simplifies the everyday work of your team, so everyone can focus on what really counts – creating exceptional guest experiences.
Miele 360PRO
- Consultancy
Are you ready to start? Based on your needs we provide profitability analysis, holistic planning and process optimisation.
- Machines
We will work with you to find the right solutions for washing, drying, ironing and dishwashing.
- Consumables
Discover dishwashing detergents and laundry care products, working in complete harmony with your Miele machines.
- Accessories
We have all the accessories needed to reduce the daily workload on your team.
- Digital solutions
Connected machines, optimisation of processes and direct service support – Miele MOVE ensures transparency and efficiency in your workflow.
- Service
Whether advice on application technology, repairs or annual maintenance – our national network of Approved Partners are always within reach and work towards ensuring that your machines are always ready when you are!
