Restaurant Host

Royal-Gorge-Route-Railroad; Cañon City (CO); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Gorge Route Railroad is seeking a poised Host/Hostess in Colorado to greet guests warmly, manage reservations, and sustain a smooth flow of dining service. You will set the tone for the guest experience from arrival to departure.

Requirements include 1–2 years in hosting or guest relations within fine dining, a high school diploma, and excellent English and professional presentation. OpenTable experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma is required.
• 1–2 years hosting/guest relations experience in fine dining or luxury hospitality.
• Excellent English and professional communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests promptly with warmth and professionalism.
• Escort guests to tables and ensure comfort and introductions.
• Manage reservations and optimize seating using the reservation system.
• Maintain a polished host stand and coordinate with floor staff for smooth service.
• Assist with coat check, valet coordination, and other front-of-house duties.

Skills

Guest relations

Professional communication

Verbal communication

Grace under pressure

Grooming standards

Education

High school diploma

Tools

OpenTable

Job description

Host Job Description

Reports To: Front of the House Manager, supervisors

FLSA Status: Hourly, non-exempt

Prepared By: HR Director / F&B Director

Prepared Date: 2/17/26

Compensation: $17.00per hour

About Us:

Welcome to old-world grandeur with comfy, sumptuous updates that celebrate the spirit of good times, delicious food and great friends. We’ve designed a space and a place where top-rated, lively dining experiences unfold, inside and out. This iswhere people connect and indulge in every detail, every moment – in a truly special, historic destination, in total comfort and style.

Launching in August2026, our brand newAntithesisrestaurant lives within the historic Royal Gorge Mansion (formerly the Robison Mansion,built it in the 1880s). Located in theRoyal Gorge Region, Colorado (Cañon City), situated north of Westcliffe andeast of Salida, Antithesis and theRoyal Gorge Mansion areperfectly positioned at the mouth ofTHE Royal Gorge canyonon a pristine historic 4-acre property enclosed by a stunning circa-1880 iron fence with upwards of 80 trees, an historic fountain surrounded by cozy firepits and beautifully maintained grounds.

Summary: We are seeking a poised, courteous, and service-driven Host/Hostess to be the first and last point of contact for our guests. In this role, you will set the tone for the dining experience by providing a warm, elegant welcome, managing reservations with precision, and maintaining the flow of service throughout the dining room. Your presence reflects the standard of excellence we uphold and ensures each guest feels valued and attended to from arrival to departure.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Service

• Greet all guests promptly with warmth, grace, and professionalism.
• Escort guests to their tables with a sense of ceremony, ensuring proper introductions and comfort.
• Create a memorable first impression that reflects the restaurant’s elevated standards.
• Provide attentive, discreet service when handling special occasions, VIP guests, or returning clientele.

Reservation & Seating Management

• Manage reservations through the POS or reservation system (e.g., OpenTable).
• Confirm, modify, and coordinate bookings while optimizing table assignments for smooth service flow.
• Monitor dining room status and pacing to communicate effectively with service staff and kitchen.
• Keep accurate notes on guest preferences, allergies, anniversaries, and other personal touches.

Operational Support

• Maintain a clean, polished, and organized host stand and entry area at all times.
• Prepare seating charts, guest notes, and daily shift sheets as needed.
• Communicate with floor managers and servers to ensure timely table turns and proper pacing.
• Assist with coat check, valet coordination, and other front-of-house duties as required.

Education/Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma
• At least 1–2 years of hosting or guest relations experience in a fine dining or luxury hospitality environment.

Knowledge

• English language and professional communication skills are required
• Exceptional verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Grace under pressure with the ability to handle multiple tasks calmly and efficiently.
• Impeccable grooming, attire, and presentation standards.

Preferred

• Experience using reservation systems such as OpenTable
• Knowledge of fine dining etiquette, pacing, and service language.
• Foreign language skills and familiarity with international clientele are a plus.

Working Conditions/Essential Job Functions

• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Direct contact with guests, managers, and employees
• Occasional environmental exposures to cold, heat, and water
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Jewelry should be limited and not detract from a professional appearance or interfere with job performance. The following guidelines have been established:
• Rings may be worn on no more than two (2) fingers per hand.
• Employees may wear a maximum of two (2) pairs of earrings on the ear lobe only, of a style not exceeding 1/2” in diameter or 1” in length.
• Tattoos, piercings and hair colors will be evaluated

We love Colorado and we care about our team members and our guests. That’s why the Royal Gorge Route Railroad is 100% smoke-free, inside and out.No smoking of any kind is allowed on any Royal Gorge Route Railroad properties or sister properties, including all Railroad property, on the train, at Happy Endings Caboose Cafe, the Royal Gorge Mansion or the Royal Gorge Route Inns. We do not provide additional “smoke breaks” for any staff member beyond what is legally required. In addition, any staff member that smokes on a designated break, must not have any scents of smoke on clothing, hair and/or breath. Any staff member scene smoking or vaping on company owned property or the train will be subject to immediate termination.

Being a smoke-free environment for guests and a smoke-free workplace for staff ensures we uphold our customer promise - to provide aworld class experience. It also means we uphold our employee promise - to provide a healthy, professional, clean atmosphere where everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive.