Senior Host

Vida-Plena-Hospitality; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team performance bonus

Fair tip distribution

Group discounts

Wellbeing program

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Vida Plena in Lisbon is seeking a Senior Host to greet guests by name, manage the seating plan, and own the door with warmth and professionalism. You will read the reservation book, assign tables in advance, and ensure every guest feels expected from arrival to farewell.

You should have at least 3 years in hospitality, strong reservations and guest-communication skills, and fluency in English and Portuguese.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in hospitality in a host or guest relations role.
• Strong reservations, seating flow, and guest communication.
• Fluent in English and Portuguese.
• Comfortable with reservation software.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the reservation book and seating plan.
• Read the book before doors open and assign tables with the floor lead.
• Make real-time seating decisions balancing guest needs and service flow.
• Own the door from arrival to farewell and handle special requests.
• Record guest notes and share relevant info with the team.
• Lead by example on shift and train others when needed.

Skills

Reservations management

Guest relations

Front desk

Leadership / training

English

Portuguese

Tools

Reservation software

Job description

Senior Host Vida Plena is an innovative hospitality group founded in Lisbon in 2018, dedicated to making our guests and team feel truly at home. We pride ourselves on delivering warm, blissful experiences, fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, serving top-quality fresh food, and providing exceptional service.

Our foundation is built on passion, respect, kindness, ambition, and modernity, alongside a commitment to joy, positive energy, and a laid-back approach to enjoying life's best moments. At Vida Plena, we embrace the true essence of hospitality while adhering to our core values, creating a fun, respectful, and loving environment for all.

The Role The Senior Host knows who is in the room and why. You greet guests by name before they give it, you assign the tables in advance, and you own the door and every special request. You are the first face a guest meets and the last one they see, and you carry the tone of the venue at the door.

Your Key Responsibilities

Take full, independent ownership of the reservation book and the seating plan. Read the book the day before and again before doors open, know who is coming and why, and assign the tables in advance together with the floor lead.

Make confident, real-time decisions on seating, pacing, table allocation, and booking adjustments, balancing guest needs with the overall flow of service.

Own the door. Greet guests by name before they give it, run the arrival and the seating, and make every guest feel expected.

Own the special request from booking to table. Confirm it with the guest, brief the floor and the kitchen, and check that it happened.

Own the goodbye. See guests out, thank them by name, and follow up when a visit did not go as it should.

Take ownership of guest concerns, resolve issues independently where possible, and manage escalations with sound judgement and discretion.

Keep accurate reservation records and meaningful guest notes, ensuring relevant information is shared with the team and used to personalize the experience.

Lead by example on shift, setting standards for the host team and providing clear direction and support when needed.

Report no-shows, recurring booking patterns, guest feedback, operational issues and incidents, and bring a practical fix with each one.

What We Expect From You

Experience: minimum 3 years in hospitality in a host or guest relations role, with some time leading or training others.

Strong skills in managing reservations, seating flow, and guest communication.

Excellent interpersonal skills with a warm and approachable demeanor.

Patient, tactful, and attentive when managing requests or complaints.

Capable of managing guest preferences and ensuring all information is correctly recorded.

Fluent in English, and Portuguese.

Comfortable with reservation software, and quick to learn ours.

Calm, composed, and reliable under pressure, a steady presence at the front desk.

What's in For you? At Vida Plena, you're not just taking a position;
you are joining a community that values joy, respect, and a collective pursuit of excellence. If you're prepared to bring your expertise, passion, and innovation to our team, we're excited to welcome you into our fold.

A salary that respects your work

— competitive pay from day one

Performance that pays off — team performance bonus and fair tip distribution, because great service deserves real recognition

A schedule that respects your time

— no split shifts and, whenever possible, consecutive days off, giving you proper time to rest and recharge

Enjoy the experience yourself — group discounts for you and your guests across all our venues

Wellbeing is a priority

— a mental health partner and weekly activities on us, from yoga and boxing to meditation, keeping you energised on and off the floor

Celebrations that bring us together — regular team-building events and group parties, because the best teams also know how to have fun

Room to grow

— be part of an expanding hospitality group with internal mobility and career progression opportunities.