Guest Service Associate

Hotel Ella; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Hotel Ella is seeking a friendly and professional Front Desk Associate to welcome guests, handle check-ins/check-outs, and manage reservations with a focus on outstanding customer service.

You will coordinate with other departments, maintain accurate cash handling, and respond promptly to guest inquiries while upholding hotel policies and privacy standards.

Qualifications

• Be polite, courteous, and helpful to guests and coworkers.
• Acknowledge guests with a smile and friendly greeting.
• Adhere to hotel policies and guest privacy standards.
• Promptly report injuries and follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and check-in guests with excellent service.
• Manage cash drawer and make correct change.
• Answer and transfer calls promptly.
• Handle reservations, deposits, and confirmations.
• Maintain knowledge of room types, rates, and availability.
• Coordinate with departments and escalate complaints as needed.

Skills

Politeness

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Professionalism

Time management

Policy compliance

Safety awareness

Job description

Expectations Of All Employees

• Be polite, courteous, and helpful to all guests and coworkers, displaying a positive "can do" attitude while maintaining a high level of professionalism consistent with the company values.
• Acknowledge our guests with a smile and friendly "hello." Promptly attend to guest needs
• Comply with all hotel policies and procedures, i.e., Employee Handbook, Conduct Policy, Safety Policy, etc.
• Comply with guest privacy standards.
• Report to your supervisor or the MOD, immediately, all injuries occurring while on duty, no matter how minor. (Fraud, Dishonesty and False Statements regarding an injury will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination)
• Act as a safety and security agent by identifying and reporting potential risks to guests and/or employees to the Manager or General Manager
• Arrive to work on time (follow call-out policy), and in appropriate work attire, (uniform, footwear) neat in appearance.
• Complete work in a timely manner and meet productivity standards/expectations.
• Keep work area clean, neat, and well organized.
• Demonstrate a team behavior and attitude of working together effectively to accomplish tasks (even if outside specific job duties)
• Seek approval from management prior to working overtime (i.e., punching in early or staying beyond scheduled shift)
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Expectations Of All Employees

• Be polite, courteous, and helpful to all guests and coworkers, displaying a positive "can do" attitude while maintaining a high level of professionalism consistent with the company values.
• Acknowledge our guests with a smile and friendly "hello." Promptly attend to guest needs
• Comply with all hotel policies and procedures, i.e., Employee Handbook, Conduct Policy, Safety Policy, etc.
• Comply with guest privacy standards.
• Report to your supervisor or the MOD, immediately, all injuries occurring while on duty, no matter how minor. (Fraud, Dishonesty and False Statements regarding an injury will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination)
• Act as a safety and security agent by identifying and reporting potential risks to guests and/or employees to the Manager or General Manager
• Arrive to work on time (follow call-out policy), and in appropriate work attire, (uniform, footwear) neat in appearance.
• Complete work in a timely manner and meet productivity standards/expectations.
• Keep work area clean, neat, and well organized.
• Demonstrate a team behavior and attitude of working together effectively to accomplish tasks (even if outside specific job duties)
• Seek approval from management prior to working overtime (i.e., punching in early or staying beyond scheduled shift)
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Job Duties

• Welcome and check-in guests in a friendly and efficient manner, demonstrate excellent customer service and phone etiquette
• Accountable for assigned cash drawer(s) and cash balances (make correct change)
• Answer and transfer calls in timely (preferably 3 rings) and courteous fashion
• Manage all aspects of the reservations process (process room reservations, secure deposit and send confirmation); use suggestive selling techniques, stay abreast of local rates, in-house strategy, group and special rate plans and packages, available inventory, etc.
• Monitor reservations email account; reply to e-mail correspondence in a timely, courteous, and professional manner; process e-mail requests/reservations accordingly
• Understand how to check room availability and housekeeping/maintenance status, ensure against overbooking, and that guests are provided an inspected room
• Maintain full knowledge of all room types, features, locations, rates
• Verify accuracy of information in property management system by entering data correctly and checking daily arrivals
• Effectively handle all guest inquiries, requests and complaints; confirm guest needs have been met; timely alert manager on duty to any unresolved complaints
• Communicate effectively with all departments
• Develop a working knowledge of local attractions, business locations, and points of interest
• Review daily activities and groups, communicate details with co-workers and guests as needed
• Direct traffic inside the hotel with vendors, overnight guests, employees, meeting attendees, restaurant/ lounge guests, visitors
• Know location, basic troubleshooting and relevant contact list for all major hotel systemsØ Knowledge of all hotels services, amenities, and hours of operation
• May be first point of contact during any emergency; be familiar with all emergency procedures as documented in hotel Emergency Manuals
• Accurately handle all in-house accounts including guest names, room charges, methods of payment, special requests, etc.
• Handle services for guests including guest mail, messages, telephone calls, faxes, wake-up calls, after-hours requests (i.e., extra towels, pillows etc.) ,and general inquiries
• Confirm guest satisfaction at check-out and take appropriate corrective action if necessary. Say, "Thank you."
• Perform daily reporting requirements based on specific hotel needs
• Ensure transfer of information from shift to shift at the Front Desk
• Keep adequate inventory of front desk and guest supplies available at all times. Communicate shortages as necessary
• Understand operation of guest room features, i.e. HVAC units, thermostats, showers, windows, etc.