Live-In Domestic Couple – Housekeeper & Lead Gardener/Handyman
Boutique Nature Retreat | Private 300-Acre Estate | Surrey
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional, hands-on live-in couple to join a growing boutique nature retreat set within a stunning 300-acre private estate in the Surrey countryside.
This is a unique opportunity for a proactive, hardworking couple who share a love of nature, take pride in their surroundings and enjoy creating an outstanding experience for guests. Working together, you will play a key role in maintaining the retreat's high standards, ensuring the lodges are beautifully presented, the gardens and grounds are well cared for, and any maintenance issues are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
We are looking for two complementary individuals: an experienced housekeeper with an exceptional eye for detail, and a practical lead gardener/handyman who is confident taking ownership of day-to-day maintenance and responding to issues as they arise.
The employer is looking for an enthusiastic and energetic couple who will be excited at growing with the business, there is genuine scope for development, training and progression for the right couple.
The Roles
1. Housekeeper – High-End Housekeeping & Lodge Operations
You will take pride in maintaining immaculate standards across the retreat, ensuring every lodge is beautifully presented and ready to welcome guests.
Key responsibilities include:
• Delivering exceptional housekeeping and cleaning standards across guest lodges and relevant estate areas.
• Managing lodge turnovers, ensuring every property is spotless, welcoming and prepared to a consistently high standard.
• Replenishing guest supplies, linen, toiletries and other stock, maintaining accurate stock levels.
• Conducting detailed checks to ensure each lodge is presented perfectly ahead of guest arrivals.
• Identifying and reporting maintenance issues, working closely with your partner to resolve them quickly.
• Supporting the wider team in maintaining a seamless, high-quality guest experience.
• Responding to urgent housekeeping requirements as part of the shared on-call rota.
2. Lead Gardener / Handyman – Grounds & Estate Maintenance
You will be a practical, resourceful individual who enjoys working outdoors, takes ownership of problems and is comfortable being the first person on the scene when something needs attention.
Key responsibilities include:
• Maintaining the estate's grounds, gardens and gardens.
• Undertaking general gardening, groundskeeping and seasonal maintenance.
• Carrying out general DIY, repairs and routine property maintenance.
• Identifying issues proactively and resolving problems where possible before they affect guests or operations.
• Responding promptly to urgent maintenance call-outs and coordinating specialist contractors when required.
• Keeping outdoor areas, pathways and communal spaces clean, tidy, safe and presentable.
• Working closely with your partner to deliver efficient lodge turnovers and maintain the overall presentation of the retreat.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a couple who complement one another professionally and share a strong work ethic, a positive outlook and a genuine commitment to excellence.
You will ideally have:
• Exceptional attention to detail, with pride in maintaining high standards.
• Relevant experience in high-end housekeeping, hospitality, gardening, groundskeeping or property maintenance.
• A proactive, practical and hands-on approach, with the ability to use initiative and solve problems.
• Good physical fitness and the ability to manage active, practical work both indoors and outdoors.
• Flexibility and a genuine "can-do" attitude, particularly when unexpected issues arise.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities independently.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively as a couple and as part of a wider team.
• A love of nature, the outdoors and working within a beautiful countryside setting.
• A growth mindset and enthusiasm for learning new skills and progressing as the business develops.
Previous experience working in a luxury retreat, boutique hotel, private estate or high-end hospitality environment would be advantageous.
Working Arrangements
• Working pattern: Five days per week, with two days off, generally midweek.
• Hours: Approximately 45 hours per week, with flexibility required for additional hours when operationally necessary.
• On-call responsibilities: The couple will share a 24/7 on-call rota, responding to urgent guest, property or operational issues when required. It should be noted that call outs are extremely rare.
• Start date: ASAP.
This is a live-in position suited to a couple who are comfortable with the responsibilities of estate-based living and understand the importance of maintaining a welcoming, well-managed retreat.
Salary, Benefits & Accommodation
The successful couple will receive an attractive package, including:
• Joint salary of approximately £75,000–£80,000 gross per annum, dependent on skills and experience.
• Private, self-contained accommodation on the estate, with children and well-behaved pets considered.
• All accommodation costs met by the employer.
• 20 days' paid annual leave, plus eight bank holidays.
• Monthly performance bonus for achieving top KPI scores.
• Training and development opportunities, with a clear pathway for progression as the business grows.
• The opportunity to live and work in a beautiful natural setting, as part of an ambitious and evolving boutique retreat.
The Ideal Couple
This opportunity will appeal to a dependable, enthusiastic couple who enjoy working together, take pride in their environment and want to become an integral part of a growing hospitality business.
You will be happy to roll up your sleeves, take responsibility, notice the details others might miss and go the extra mile to ensure the estate and guest accommodation are maintained to an exceptional standard.
In return, you will enjoy an attractive joint package, private estate accommodation and the opportunity to build a long-term future within a distinctive countryside retreat.
