Guest Experience Host

Luxury Family Hotels; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & development

Extra holiday on birthday

EarlyPay

Cycle to work

Job summary

The Ickworth is seeking a Guest Experience Host to ensure guest wellbeing, maintain high host presence, and deliver bespoke guest service from arrival to departure. You will drive sales opportunities and contribute to a memorable Suffolk retreat.

This permanent role offers £14 per hour plus service charge and great benefits. You will work 40 hours weekly on a rota including day, evening, and night shifts; own transport is essential due to the remote location.

Qualifications

• Senior departmental leadership experience, or an Assistant Head ready to step up.
• Strong record of team leadership and consistent operational performance.
• Broad operational experience across Rooms and Food & Beverage.
• Confident leading busy services with full accountability.

Responsibilities

• Operational leadership across the full hotel during shift.
• Ownership of the guest journey from arrival through to departure.
• Maintaining pace, flow, and service standards during peak periods.
• Real time decision making and problem resolution.
• Cross departmental coordination and collaboration.
• Driving revenue through service excellence and operational efficiency.
• Clear and effective communication across all teams.
• Strong and structured shift handovers.

Skills

Senior leadership

Team leadership

Rooms & F&B

Busy service leadership

Tools

Simphony

OPERA Cloud

ResDiary

Job description

Contract: Permanent
Salary: £14 per hour plus generous service charge and great benefits

About Us: The Ickworth, part of Luxury Family Hotels, is entering an exciting new chapter following its refurbishment. Join us as a Guest Experience Host and play your part in shaping the future of this much-loved Suffolk retreat.

Pay rate: £14 per hour + service charge

Role Purpose:

As a Guest Experience Host, you will ensure the well‑being of all guests, maintaining a high level of host presence and delivering bespoke guest service. You will exceed guest expectations from arrival to departure, drive sales opportunities, and develop your team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational leadership across the full hotel during shift
• Ownership of the guest journey from arrival through to departure
• Maintaining pace, flow, and service standards during peak periods
• Real time decision making and problem resolution
• Cross departmental coordination and collaboration
• Driving revenue through service excellence and operational efficiency
• Clear and effective communication across all teams
• Strong and structured shift handovers

Skills & Attributes:

• Senior departmental leadership experience, or an Assistant Head ready to step up
• Strong record of team leadership and consistent operational performance
• Broad operational experience across Rooms and Food & Beverage
• Confident leading busy services with full accountability

Highly Desirable

• Background in luxury or premium hospitality
• Experience in complex, multi‑outlet operations
• Exposure to family‑focused or resort environments
• Familiarity with Simphony, OPERA Cloud, and ResDiary

Other information:

• 40 hours per week across a rota including day, evening, and night shifts, with availability required across all seven days
• Own transport essential due to remote location of hotel
• Personal Development: Stay industry‑leading through events, training, and professional growth

Please ensure you check the hotel location as some of our hotels are hidden away and you will have to use your own transport to locate us!

Why work with us?

• Training and development is central to life at LFH, it’s something we truly value. We are proudly certified by the Institute of Hospitality and support our teams’ development through partnerships with award‑winning, hospitality specific apprenticeship providers.
• An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
• EarlyPay – Need to access some of your monthly salary a little early sometimes? No problem!
• Cycle to work scheme
• Help@Hand - Our online health and wellbeing service – Get same day remote GP appointments, Mental Health support and Physiotherapy on us.
• Life Assurance Benefit for peace of mind for your loved ones.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity packages
• Want to give back but never have the time? We will give you a paid day off for any volunteering or fundraising you would like to get involved in once a year
• The LFH Benefit Hub – Easily accessible employee discount platform for you to take advantage of at your favourite high street and online retailers
• 50% off Food and Beverage and the Spa across Luxury Family Hotels.
• Incredible discounted hotel stays for you, friends and family

Who are LFH?

The Ickworth is entering a remarkable new era following an exciting refurbishment, thoughtfully designed to celebrate both its heritage and its future. Set within the breathtaking Suffolk countryside, this iconic hotel, surrounded by sweeping parkland and rich history, has been carefully refreshed to create even more memorable experiences for modern family escapes.

Here at LFH we are an equal opportunities employer and strive to create a diverse and accessible workplace for all. We believe in a culture and inclusive team member experience that values people from all backgrounds, race and religions. We respect, value and embrace diversity and ensure everyone is recognised and respected, we celebrate our differences.