Host \ Hostess \ Receptionist

InterContinental Hotels Group; Municipality of Al Shamal; On-site; SAR 48,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the pre-opening team at Kimpton Riyadh, the first Kimpton hotel in the Middle East, as a Hostess, Host, or Receptionist. This role is crucial in creating memorable guest experiences through personalized service and effective communication while managing reservations and seating arrangements in a unique environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hotel or Business Administration preferred.
• 2-3 years in a similar role in luxury hotels.
• Fluency in English required; Arabic preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and manage reservations efficiently.
• Act as a communication hub among guests and staff.
• Address guest concerns and ensure a welcoming environment.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration / Business Administration

Job description

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the original boutique hotel company, which pioneered the concept of unique, distinctive, design-forward hotels in the San Francisco, California before expanding worldwide. Anchored in one-of-a-kind experiences, Kimpton spaces and experiences centre on our guests, offering inspiring design that evokes curiosity to forward thinking flavours that feed the soul. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered, so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and ridiculously personal.

Our mission is to be the best-loved hotel and restaurant company through the common belief that heartfelt connections make people’s lives better. Our colleagues are empowered and encouraged to act from the heart, to go above and beyond to create ‘ridiculously personal’ experiences for each other and our guests.

We're looking for passionate, high-spirted individuals to join the pre-opening team at Kimpton Riyadh, the very first Kimpton hotel in the Middle Each. The ideal Kimpton team member has an inclusive spirit who embraces individuality and can cultivate a work environment that’s a bit quirky, irreverent, exciting, uncommon, empowering, and downright exceptional.

Our hotel is only as good as the people it employs so if you’re passionate, focused and driven, live for making every guest’s experience ‘ridiculously personal’ and creating unforgettable moments, then we invite you to join the Kimpton tribe.

About Kimpton Riyadh

Located in King Abdullah Financial District which is set in the heart of the Saudi capital, 22-kilometers away from the airport, Kimpton Riyadh is the first Kimpton in the Middle East bringing the brand’s playful energy, infectious personality, and unique design style to this LEED certified landmark development home to 1.6 million square meters of state-of-the-art office space, world-class venues and iconic luxury residences. The hotel welcome guests to experience its 212 guest rooms and suites and to enjoy its unique dining options.

A (Hostess, Host, or Receptionist) plays a crucial role in creating a welcoming and memorable experience for guests. Here are the typical day-to-day activities for this position:

Day-to-Day Activities of a Hostess / Host / Receptionist

Greeting Guests:

Warmly welcoming guests as they arrive at the hotel.

Providing a friendly and inviting atmosphere to ensure guests feel valued and comfortable

Managing Reservations:

Handling reservations, including making, modifying, and cancelling bookings.

Ensuring accurate recording and timely communication with relevant departments

Seating Arrangements:

Organizing and optimizing seating arrangements to accommodate reservations and walk-in guests.

Considering factors such as server sections, table turnover, and special requests

Maintaining a waitlist during peak hours and keeping guests informed about estimated wait times.

Providing alternatives or recommendations to enhance the guest experience

Communication Hub:

Acting as a communication hub between guests, servers, and kitchen staff to ensure efficient service.

Relaying special requests, allergies, or other pertinent information to the appropriate personnel

Being knowledgeable about the menu, including daily specials, ingredients, and preparation methods.

Assisting guests with menu choices and making recommendations when requested

Upselling and Promotion:

Promoting special offerings, promotions, and upsell items to enhance the overall dining experience and increase revenue.

Encouraging guests to explore new menu options

Monitoring and maintaining cleanliness in the waiting area, ensuring a tidy and welcoming environment.

Coordinating with cleaning staff to promptly clean and reset tables

Problem Resolution:

Addressing and resolving guest concerns or issues promptly and professionally.

Collaborating with management to escalate complex situations when necessary

Handling cash transactions, processing payments accurately, and providing guests with receipts.

Reconciling cash at the end of the shift and reporting any discrepancies

Shift Coordination:

Coordinating with other hosts and hostesses to manage transitions between shifts smoothly.

Providing comprehensive shift handovers to ensure continuity of service

Customer Relationship Building:

Building positive relationships with regular guests, acknowledging them by name, and making them feel valued.

Soliciting feedback and suggestions to continually improve the guest experience

Skills and Qualities Needed

Strong Communication Skills:

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with guests, staff, and other departments

Interpersonal Skills:

Building rapport and maintaining relationships with guests and colleagues

Problem-Solving Skills:

Addressing and resolving issues promptly and effectively

Organizational Skills:

Managing multiple tasks and maintaining detailed records efficiently

Attention to Detail:

Ensuring accuracy in reservations, seating arrangements, and guest interactions

What we need from you

Ideally, you'll have some or all of the following competencies and experience we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree, higher education qualification or equivalent in Hotel Administration / Business Administration

• Two to Three years’ prior tenure in a similar role

• International luxury hotel chain background

• English Fluency is required

• Arabic Fluency is preferred

Teamwork and Flexibility

In addition to the tasks outlined above, all team members are expected to demonstrate flexibility and a collaborative spirit. This may involve taking on additional responsibilities as needed, especially during periods of high occupancy or in emergency situations. Your willingness to assist colleagues and contribute to the overall success of the hotel is essential in maintaining our high standards of service and guest satisfaction.

What we offer

We’ll reward all your hard work with a competitive salary and benefits.

Join us and you’ll become part of the global IHG family – and like all families, all our individual team members share some winning characteristics. As a team, we work better together – we trust and support each other, we do the right thing and we welcome different perspectives. You need to show us you care: that you notice the little things that make a difference to guests as well as always looking for ways to improve - visit www.careers.ihg.com to find out more about us.

So go on - show us how your passion and personality are the perfect fit to deliver memorable experiences to our guests.