Waqas Haider: A Benchmark of Housekeeping Excellence at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort

Introduction: The Silent Force Behind Exceptional Hospitality

In the hospitality industry, guest experience is shaped not only by visible service interactions but also by the invisible standards of cleanliness, comfort, and consistency. At the heart of this critical function stands the Housekeeping Department, often regarded as the backbone of hotel operations. Leading this vital function at one of Abu Dhabi’s landmark properties is Waqas Haider, currently serving as Executive Housekeeper at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort.

With over a decade of professional experience across internationally recognized 4-star and 5-star hotel brands, Waqas Haider has built a career defined by operational excellence, leadership, and a relentless commitment to quality. His journey reflects not only personal growth but also the evolution of modern housekeeping leadership in the UAE’s competitive hospitality market.

Professional Overview

Name: Waqas Haider
Current Designation: Executive Housekeeper
Organization: Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Hotel Brand: Marriott International
Experience: 14+ Years
Industry: Hospitality & Hotel Management
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi

A Career Rooted in Passion and Discipline

Waqas Haider is an enthusiastic and self-driven hospitality professional who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt quickly to changing operational environments. His career spans diverse hotel concepts—from business hotels to lifestyle brands and luxury resorts—giving him a well-rounded understanding of guest expectations and brand standards.

What sets Waqas apart is his hands-on leadership style, combined with a deep understanding of housekeeping as both a technical and people-driven discipline. Over the years, he has worked with multinational teams, managed large-scale operations, and consistently delivered measurable results in cleanliness, audits, and guest satisfaction scores.

Current Leadership Role at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort

Since November 2022, Waqas Haider has been leading the Housekeeping Department at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, one of the capital’s most established and respected hospitality landmarks.

Scope of Responsibilities

As Executive Housekeeper, Waqas oversees:

Guest room operations and public area cleanliness
Laundry and linen management
Preventive maintenance coordination
Staff recruitment, training, and performance management
Quality assurance, audits, and inspections
Budget control and cost optimization
Health, safety, and hygiene compliance

His role requires constant coordination with Front Office, Engineering, Food & Beverage, Security, and HR, ensuring seamless operations across all departments.

Driving Brand Standards and Audit Excellence

One of the most critical aspects of Waqas Haider’s role is ensuring full compliance with Marriott International brand standards. This requires meticulous planning, consistent training, and continuous monitoring.

Key Achievements at Sheraton Abu Dhabi

99% Marriott Brand Standard Audit Score – 2023
99% Marriott Brand Standard Audit Score – 2024

These results reflect not only operational precision but also the effectiveness of team engagement, training methodologies, and leadership discipline.

Strengths That Define His Leadership

Waqas Haider’s leadership is built on a strong foundation of professional strengths:

1. Operational Excellence

He possesses a deep understanding of housekeeping workflows, ensuring efficiency without compromising quality.

2. Adaptability

With experience across multiple brands and hotel concepts, Waqas adapts quickly to organizational changes, brand transitions, and operational challenges.

3. People-Centered Leadership

He believes that motivated teams deliver exceptional results. His focus on training, coaching, and motivation has resulted in strong team performance and low operational errors.

4. Multicultural Team Management

Having worked extensively with multinational teams, Waqas effectively manages cultural diversity while maintaining discipline and unity.

5. Attention to Detail

In housekeeping, details matter. Waqas is known for his meticulous approach to inspections, SOPs, and quality control.

Training, Development, and Team Empowerment

A strong believer in continuous learning, Waqas Haider has consistently prioritized staff training and development throughout his career.

His training initiatives focus on:

Brand standards and SOP compliance
Guest interaction and service etiquette
Health, safety, and hygiene procedures
Time management and productivity
Leadership development for supervisors

He has also supported training and development activities across multiple hotels, including:

A Proven Record of Quality Achievements

Waqas Haider’s career is distinguished by an exceptional record of quality audit scores and guest satisfaction achievements:

99% Cleanliness – Quality Evaluation Management (Rove at the Park, 2020)
99.35% Cleanliness – QEM (Rove Healthcare City, 2019)
99% Cleanliness – QEM (Rove City Centre, 2018)
98.99% Cleanliness – QEM (Rove City Centre, 2017)
98.23% Cleanliness – QEM (Rove City Centre, 2016)
95% LQA Cleanliness Score – Vida Downtown (2021)

These scores demonstrate consistency, discipline, and long-term excellence rather than one-time success.

Awards and Professional Recognition

Recognition has followed Waqas Haider throughout his career:

Employee of the Month – January 2015
Damac Maison Cour Jardin
Top Scored Team Leader for Quality – 2015
Damac Hotels, UAE
Guest Satisfaction Appreciation Award – July 2018
Housekeeping Department

These accolades reflect his dedication to quality and guest satisfaction.

Extensive Pre-Opening Hotel Experience

One of Waqas Haider’s strongest competencies is pre-opening hotel operations. He has been directly involved in the pre-opening of eight hotels, playing a crucial role in setting up housekeeping operations from the ground up.

Pre-Opening Responsibilities

Recruitment and onboarding of housekeeping staff
Linen, uniform, and equipment procurement
Room setup and snagging
SOP creation and job descriptions
Staff training and readiness audits
Acting Head of Department when required

Pre-Opening Hotels Include

Damac Maison Cour Jardin
Rove Downtown Dubai
Rove City Centre Dubai
Rove Healthcare City
Rove Marina
Rove at the Park
Vida Emirates Hills
Mercure Deira

Career Progression and Leadership Roles

Waqas Haider’s career reflects steady growth and increasing responsibility:

Executive Housekeeper – Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (2022–Present)
Executive Housekeeper – Vida Downtown (2021–2022)
Executive Housekeeper – Novotel Healthcare City (2020–2021)
Executive Housekeeper – Rove at the Park (2020)
Housekeeping In-Charge – Rove Healthcare City & Rove Downtown
Senior Housekeeping Supervisor (Pre-Opening Team)
Housekeeping Supervisor – Novotel & Ibis MOE
Housekeeping Team Leader – Damac Maison Cour Jardin

Technical Skills & Hotel Systems Knowledge

Opera PMS
EBS Systems
Microsoft Office Suite
Internet & Email Applications
Social Media Platforms

Academic & Professional Qualifications

Bachelor Degree in Hotel Management
Diploma in Tourism & Hotel Management
SSC – Government of Pakistan (Chakwal)

Why Waqas Haider Represents Modern Housekeeping Leadership

In today’s hospitality landscape, housekeeping leaders must balance operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, sustainability, and team well-being. Waqas Haider embodies this modern leadership approach by combining technical expertise with emotional intelligence and strategic thinking.

His career demonstrates how strong housekeeping leadership directly contributes to:

Higher guest satisfaction scores
Improved brand audit results
Operational cost control
Team retention and engagement

Explore More Hospitality Professionals

To learn more about hospitality professionals, hotel leaders, and industry experts shaping the future of hospitality, we invite readers to visit our website:
👉 Gulf Hospitality Jobs

Our platform features in-depth professional profiles, leadership stories, and insights from experienced hospitality professionals across the UAE and beyond.

Conclusion: A Leader Behind the Scenes, A Name That Matters

With more than 14 years of experience, a proven track record of excellence, and current leadership at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, (Abu Dhabi National Hotels) Waqas Haider stands as a respected figure in the hospitality industry.

His journey reflects dedication, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—qualities that define outstanding hospitality leaders. As the industry continues to evolve, professionals like Waqas Haider will remain essential in shaping memorable guest experiences and sustaining global brand standards.

Blog

gulfjobs