Celebrating the 2026 Night Auditor of the Year

Earlier this week, on May 18, hoteliers across the industry celebrated Night Auditor Appreciation Day – a day Otelier launched in 2023 to recognize the overnight team members who help keep hotels running while much of the world is asleep.

Night auditors hold one of the most important, and often least visible, roles in hotel operations. Because they work third shift, many rarely cross paths with the broader team. Yet overnight, they often serve as the only person on property – greeting late-arriving guests, resolving issues, monitoring safety, helping with housekeeping or maintenance needs, preparing breakfast, and closing out the business day.

They also sit on a mountain of data. From daily revenue and payments to guest folios, out-of-order rooms, upcoming arrivals, tax records and audit reports, night auditors help ensure a hotel’s operational and financial success. Their work prepares the morning team, supports compliance, and gives leaders confidence that each day begins with accurate information.

That’s why Otelier created Night Auditor Appreciation Day: to shine a spotlight on the people who are essential to hotel performance but too often go unseen.

This year, Otelier received nominations from hotel leaders around the world. From those submissions, we selected five honorees – four finalists and one 2026 Night Auditor of the Year.

2026 Night Auditor of the Year: Alfredo Minano, Hampton Inn & Suites Keller Town Center

Alfredo Minano, Night Auditor at Hampton Inn & Suites Keller Town Center, has been named Otelier’s 2026 Night Auditor of the Year.

Located in Keller, Texas, Hampton Inn & Suites Keller Town Center is a 110-room hotel managed by Hotel Equities.

Alfredo was nominated by Ling O’Neil, who wrote:

“Alfredo is one of the most dedicated Night Auditors I have had the privilege of working with. Since joining the Hampton Keller team in 2021, he has never called off; in fact, we have had to encourage him to take well-deserved time off and use his PTO. Alfredo consistently demonstrates exceptional reliability and commitment to his role.

He assists guests promptly and without hesitation, always maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor. He is also a strong team player – willing to adjust his schedule, including switching days off, to help cover shifts and support his colleagues. Alfredo follows management direction with a positive attitude and without complaint, making him a dependable and valued member of our team.

His work ethic, flexibility, and dedication set a high standard for others, and he is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Finalist: Alice Raymond, TownePlace Suites New York Long Island City/Manhattan

Alice Raymond is Night Auditor at TownePlace Suites New York Long Island City/Manhattan View, a 133-room extended-stay hotel located in Queens, New York.

Alice was nominated by Kevin Aucancela, who wrote:

“Alice has been our Night Auditor now for over two years she has been the backbone of our entire team by ensuring all Front desk operations are met, she looks at everything with precise detail and informs her leaders for any discrepancies and is able to fix them without the need to tell her. She has also saved our hotel a lot of money and saved us from potential losses not only for guest accounts but other departments in the hotel. Alice shows what a natural leader is and a strong night auditor.”

Finalist: Sarah Hughes, Sleep Inn & Suites Park City-Wichita North

Sarah Hughes is Night Auditor at Sleep Inn & Suites Park City-Wichita North, a 71-room property located in Park City, Kansas, near Wichita State University, Crosswinds Casino and downtown Wichita.

Sarah was nominated by Christopher Wren, who wrote:

“She has been recognized many times on Google reviews, Yelp, and Choice surveys and websites for her cheerfulness and willingness to always do anything for a guest at any time of night.

She also will clean and make ready rooms for incoming crews. Additionally, she manages our gift shop.

Our hotel wouldn’t win the guest survey awards we do from Choice International without Sarah’s enormous contribution.”

Finalist: Henry Fong, Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Chelsea

Henry Fong is Night Auditor at Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Chelsea, a 110-room property located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Henry was nominated by Joanne Wagner, who wrote:

“Does daily reporting, completes income audit procedures, and assists heavily with month-end reporting. Always timely and accurate.”

Finalist: Dushan De Mel, HYDE Perth

Dushan De Mel is Night Manager at HYDE Perth, a 121-room lifestyle hotel in Perth, Australia, located on Pier Street. The property opened in 2026 and is part of Hyde, an Ennismore brand within the Accor ecosystem, in partnership with Ark Capital Partners.

Dushan was nominated by Camille Duport, who wrote:

“Dushan is a fantastic Night Manager who has demonstrated outstanding proactivity, particularly during the hotel’s opening phase. He played a key role in establishing night audit procedures and worked closely with the Financial Controller to ensure accurate and reliable reporting.

He consistently shows strong leadership with the team, and despite working overnight, he remains fully engaged in daily operations. His genuine care for our guests is evident in everything he does.

Dushan also displays remarkable flexibility, seamlessly supporting both day and night shifts whenever required by the operation. He does so with great energy, a positive attitude, and unwavering support for his manager.

With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I can confidently say that Dushan is truly one of a kind and fully deserves to be recognised as Night Auditor of the Year.”

Keep Celebrating Night Auditors Year-Round

Night Auditor Appreciation Day may only come once a year, but appreciation should not. Hotel leaders can continue celebrating overnight and front-office teams through handwritten notes, meals with the day-shift team, schedule flexibility, public recognition, gift cards, social media shoutouts and career-development conversations. Otelier’s Night Auditor Appreciation Day hub includes more celebration ideas, along with resources such as “How to Hire the Best Night Auditor at Your Hotel” and “5 Reasons to Celebrate Your Night Auditor All Year.”

Finally, hotels can better support night auditors by giving them modern tools that make the overnight shift more efficient and impactful. Night audit software can help eliminate printing, reduce paper and ink costs, automatically route reports to the operational leaders who need them the next morning, and securely store daily records for accounting, compliance and audit preparation.

Night auditors do critical work in the quietest hours of the hotel day. This week, and throughout the year, we’re proud to help the industry say thank you.