EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER PROFILE

Vincent Anthony — keeps it clean at the Table Bay Hotel

Achieving guest satisfaction is what matters most to Vincent Anthony, new executive housekeeper at Cape Town’s best address, The Table Bay Hotel in the V&A Waterfront.

The 36-year-old who grew up in George entered hospitality by chance, when, after matriculating, he was told that the nearby Fancourt Hotel was looking for cleaners. “I was hired by the cleaning contractor as a casual houseman in 2010, and the first two years were tough. At school, I was top of my class and head boy, and I felt like a failure when people asked what I was doing,” Mr Anthony said.

His drive and dedication were seen by the executive housekeeper, Melissa Payne, who appointed him to a permanent position in the laundry. From this low-ranking position, Mr Anthony began to work his way up with dedication and passion for the industry.

“My first promotion was two years later, to laundry attendant. After eight years I was made housekeeping operations manager, working under the guidance of the mentor and rooms divisions manager, Cheryl Bennet, of this renowned hotel, spa and golf destination on the Garden Route,” he said.

He left Fancourt in 2020, believing it was time to seek new opportunities, but, after just a few weeks at a Johannesburg hotel, the pandemic hit and it was a no-work, no-pay situation for eight months. “I returned to the Cape later that year and had the opportunity to be an integral part of the pre-opening of a new hotel on the foreshore. I still go there today to enjoy the atmosphere, it is like my baby.” But, with big dreams of becoming an executive housekeeper, Mr Anthony relocated to a five-star boutique hotel in Hermanus for a year, before Cape Town’s vibe drew him back in.

He has since worked at several five-star hotels across the Cape, as assistant and then executive housekeeper, managing up to 55 housekeeping staff, handling stocktake of guest amenities and linen, rostering staff according to occupancy levels, and doing daily room checks.

“My position at The Table Bay is very different, the size of the hotel alone can be overwhelming, but the management and support team have been excellent,” Mr Anthony said.

“The approach required for this position is less operational and more focused on strategic planning for the department. This means personal growth for me.”

With just under 100 people reporting to him, Mr Anthony is responsible for the cleanliness of the hotel and public areas, overseeing the laundry room and the guest suites. “I have about 30 to 40 staff cleaning rooms daily, depending on occupancies, and I will do a literal white glove check to examine the rooms for dirt and dust. It is a pedantic approach, but we promise our customers a high level of excellence, and a spotless room is a basic expectation.”

Mr Anthony is excited about the bigger picture within the Sun International Group. “I am not just looking for a job; I know what I want to do and what I want to be, so I am eagerly anticipating being part of the various staff development programmes.”

While at Fancourt, Mr Anthony completed a year-long leadership development programme, which he says forms the basis of his career. “It taught me to know and understand myself better, who I am — my management and leadership styles. I am an introvert and very analytical, with a great sense of humour. Not the loudest person in the room, I stand for what I believe in, and follow through with passion.”

A father of three — Willow, five, Tyson, seven, and Mikayla, 12. In his spare time, Mr Anthony enjoys relaxing at home watching an Arsenal soccer game, or a Stormers rugby match in the Cape Town stadium. “I also enjoy walking on Blouberg’s beaches, taking in the amazing views.”