It must be said right away that the hotel receptionist plays a key role in the place where he works, as he often creates the first impression that customers have of the hotel.
Hotel receptionist professional qualifications
To become a hotel receptionist, you can attend a hotel management school, but there are also numerous training institutions that organize special courses. To get a job, knowledge of two or three foreign languages is in any case more helpful than school knowledge. A high school diploma is often required.
Requirements and skills
- Friendly and welcoming approach
- Good demeanour and a friendly and open nature.
- Ability to remain calm in difficult situations or in an environment with many people
- Ability to work without supervision
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including being pleasant on the phone
- Good administrative skills and ability to use email and reservation systems
- Good teamwork skills
- Proficiency in the use of computers and related software applications
- Knowledge of foreign languages
Hotel receptionist, duties
Hotel receptionists welcome guests arriving at the hotel. They confirm reservations, explain hotel services, show the way to rooms and hand out room keys. If requested, they also organize the transportation of luggage to the rooms.
They respond to guests’ questions and complaints. This ranges from providing extra beds to handling complaints about noise or room temperature. You will contact appropriate staff, such as managers or cleaners, to address specific requests or complaints. They fulfill guest requests, such as booking a cab or wake-up service, etc.
Pick up the phone. Hotel receptionists handle all incoming calls in a hotel. They take telephone reservations, confirm reservations already made, give directions to the hotel, and resolve any questions guests may have about accommodations.
When a guest leaves the hotel, the receptionist takes payment for the stay (if applicable) and any additional charges.
Manage Reservations. Take reservations and cancellations by phone, email, or in person and record the information in the computer.
Maintain clean and orderly hotel reception area at all times.
Wages
In most European countries, an inexperienced receptionist can earn around €1,000 per month, while an experienced receptionist earns €1,400 on average. A receptionist at the end of her career can reach €1,500 to €2,000.
In the United States, a hotel receptionist earns an average of $2,500 – $3,000 per month.
