AM Server (Saturday/Sunday)

Sonesta International Hotels; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid vacation & sick time

Parental leave

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Hotel discounts

Educational assistance

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels is seeking a Restaurant Server to deliver exceptional guest service across our hotel dining venues in Charlotte. You will greet guests, take orders, suggest menu items, and ensure timely service while maintaining clean dining areas.

Prior hospitality experience is preferred, and you will collaborate with a diverse team to create memorable guest experiences. Join a team that values hospitality, reliability, and professional appearance, with full benefits and

Qualifications

• Experience in restaurant, hotel, or hospitality preferred.
• Strong guest-service and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multitask while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Basic knowledge of food and beverage service preferred.
• Ability to operate or learn the restaurant POS system.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and provide a welcoming dining experience.
• Take and enter orders into the POS system, confirm details and dietary needs.
• Deliver food and beverages promptly and accurately.
• Suggestive selling of menu items and daily specials.
• Close out checks and handle payments per hotel procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of dining areas and service stations.
• Collaborate with team to ensure a seamless guest experience.

Skills

Guest Service

Communication

Multitasking

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

POS System

Job description

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What This Role Is All About

The Restaurant Server (RS) is responsible for consistently delivering results that contribute to the mission and overall success of the hotel by accomplishing performance objectives covering the food service venues of the hotel. The Server sets-up, services, and breaks-down the food and beverage areas where they are assigned ensuring a high level of quality, consistency and service.

What You’ll Be Doing

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Guest Service & Hospitality

• Warmly greet and acknowledge guests in a timely and professional manner.
• Create a welcoming dining experience from the guest's arrival through departure.
• Introduce yourself and provide knowledgeable guidance regarding menu selections.
• Anticipate guest needs and provide attentive service without requiring guests to repeatedly request assistance.
• Check back with guests after food and beverages are delivered to ensure satisfaction.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest questions, concerns, and special requests.
• Immediately communicate guest concerns or service recovery opportunities to a supervisor or manager.
• Thank guests genuinely and invite them to return.
• Maintain professional and positive communication with guests and team members at all times.

Food & Beverage Service

• Maintain thorough knowledge of restaurant menus, daily specials, ingredients, preparation methods, beverages, and available substitutions.
• Accurately take food and beverage orders and enter them into the hotel's point-of-sale system.
• Confirm order details, modifications, allergies, and special dietary requests when applicable.
• Communicate allergy or dietary concerns immediately and according to established food‑safety procedures.
• Deliver food and beverages accurately, efficiently, and according to established service standards.
• Properly course meals and monitor timing between appetizers, entrées, desserts, and beverages.
• Maintain appropriate table maintenance throughout the dining experience.
• Clear used plates, glassware, and utensils promptly and professionally.
• Prepare and present guest checks accurately.
• Process cash, credit card, room charges, and other approved payment methods according to hotel procedures.
• Ensure all transactions, discounts, voids, and room charges are processed accurately.

Sales & Revenue Responsibilities

• Understand that every guest interaction is an opportunity to enhance the experience while supporting restaurant revenue.
• Suggestively sell appetizers, beverages, entrées, desserts, and other menu offerings when appropriate.
• Recommend menu items confidently based on guest preferences.
• Promote daily specials, featured beverages, and hotel food and beverage offerings.
• Maintain knowledge of current promotions and restaurant offerings.
• Accurately record all food and beverage sales through the POS system.
• Protect hotel revenue by ensuring every item served is properly entered and accounted for.

Opening & Closing Responsibilities

• Complete assigned opening and closing duties thoroughly and on time.
• Prepare restaurant sections prior to service.
• Ensure tables, chairs, menus, glassware, silverware, and service areas are clean and properly arranged.
• Stock server stations with necessary supplies before and throughout the shift.
• Complete assigned side work before leaving.
• Properly clean and reset tables for incoming guests.
• Maintain appropriate levels of silverware, glassware, condiments, napkins, and other service supplies.
• Communicate incomplete work or operational concerns to the manager before leaving the property.

CLEANLINESS & ORGANIZATION

• Maintain a clean, organized, and guest‑ready restaurant throughout the entire shift.
• Clean tables and service areas promptly.
• Ensure floors and walkways remain free of debris, spills, and potential safety hazards.
• Immediately address or report spills and safety concerns.
• Keep server stations and POS areas clean and organized.
• Follow all sanitation, food handling, and health department requirements.
• Maintain appropriate personal hygiene and comply with hotel appearance and grooming standards.

TEAMWORK

• Work collaboratively with servers, bartenders, hosts, cooks, dishwashers, banquet staff, and hotel leadership.
• Assist fellow team members during high-volume periods without waiting to be asked.
• Communicate professionally with culinary team members regarding orders, modifications, timing, and guest concerns.
• Support restaurant operations wherever needed to ensure a seamless guest experience.
• Maintain respectful communication even during high-volume or challenging situations.
• Participate in pre‑shift meetings, training, and departmental meetings as required.
• Help create a positive work environment focused on hospitality, teamwork, accountability, and respect.

Hotel‑specific Responsibilities

Because this restaurant operates within a hotel environment, servers must understand that the guest experience extends beyond the restaurant.

Servers are expected to:

• Provide basic information regarding hotel amenities and services.
• Professionally assist hotel guests with general questions or connect them with the appropriate department.
• Understand procedures for posting restaurant charges to guest rooms.
• Provide consistent service to individual travelers, groups, airline crews, corporate guests, and other hotel customers.
• Recognize that restaurant service directly impacts the guest's overall impression of the hotel.

ATTENDANCE & RELIABILITY

• Report to work on time, in proper uniform, and prepared to begin work at the scheduled start time.
• Maintain reliable and consistent attendance.
• Follow established call‑out and attendance procedures.
• Remain available during scheduled shifts based on operational and business needs.
• Understand that weekends, holidays, evenings, and peak business periods are an important part of hotel restaurant operations.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

• Follow all hotel safety and security procedures.
• Follow applicable food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Comply with responsible alcohol‑service requirements and applicable laws.
• Properly handle cash, credit cards, guest information, and hotel property.
• Immediately report accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, suspicious activity, or guest incidents to management.
• Complete all required hotel and departmental training.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant, hotel, or hospitality experience preferred.
• Strong guest‑service and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to multitask while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Basic knowledge of food and beverage service preferred.
• Ability to operate or learn the restaurant POS system.
• Must be dependable, punctual, professional, and team‑oriented.
• Must meet applicable age requirements for serving alcoholic beverages.
• Alcohol‑service and/or food‑handler certification may be required based on local regulations.

Physical Requirements

The team member must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequently bend, reach, twist, and carry service items.
• Safely carry trays containing food, beverages, plates, and glassware.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull approximately 25–30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Safely navigate restaurant, kitchen, service, and back‑of‑house areas.
• Perform repetitive movements associated with restaurant service.

Schedule Requirements

Hotel operations are open seven days a week. Scheduling is based on business and operational needs.

Candidates must have flexibility to work varying schedules that may include:

• Early mornings
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Holidays
• Special events
• High‑occupancy and peak business periods

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Genuine hospitality
• Sense of urgency
• Accurate order taking
• Strong menu knowledge
• Suggestive selling
• Cleanliness and organization
• Professional appearance
• Reliable attendance
• Effective communication
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Positive guest feedback

Every guest interaction matters. The expectation is not simply to take an order and deliver food—it is to create an experience that makes guests feel welcomed, valued, and genuinely cared for.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Educational Assistance
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these)
• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.