Gate Guest Assistant | Luxury Wine Estate | Franschhoek
Position: Gate Guest Assistant
The successful candidate will be an important first point of contact for guests arriving at the estate and will contribute to ensuring a warm, professional and welcoming arrival experience. Known for sophisticated escapes and unique guest experiences, the ever-expanding luxury hospitality portfolio offers dynamic career opportunities to positive, vibrant, and energetic individuals.
Key Requirements
- Previous experience in a guest-facing hospitality, reception, security, concierge or similar role would be advantageous
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Professional, friendly and well-presented manner
- Ability to remain calm and professional in a busy environment
- Reliable, responsible and attentive to detail
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- A genuine passion for hospitality and guest service
Duties
- Facilitate a smooth, efficient check-in at the Main Gate to all guests, ensuring their satisfaction and comfort.
- Give clear directions to guests to arrive at their allocated destination on the Estate.
- Familiarise yourself with the Hotel Day sheet to ensure you congratulate special occasion guests checking in and you do a proper "Welcome back" for return Hotel guests.
- Manage the front desk area, answering calls promptly, assisting with guest inquiries, and directing calls to appropriate departments.
- Address guest concerns and complaints, escalating issues to the Manager on Duty if needed to ensure guest satisfaction.
- Facilitate reservation modifications, cancellations, and special requests in coordination with the reservations team.
- Liaise with the F&B and Housekeeping department to ensure dietary requirements / special requests are prepared accordingly.
- Handle any emergencies or incidents during the shift, ensuring the safety and security of guests and staff.
- Maintain guest records, update profiles and memo details on Protel, and ensure accurate information entry for efficient service delivery.
- Handle cash, credit, and other payment methods accurately, performing end-of-shift cash-ups and ensuring secure handling of funds.
- Monitor daily room status and communicate with the housekeeping and maintenance teams for room readiness and maintenance issues.
- Ensure guest challenges are addressed promptly or escalated to the Manager on Duty as required and follow through on closing the loop with the guest/s to resolve.
- Handle requests such as wake-up calls, dining reservations, local area information, booking of activities, facilitating transport arrangements and any other special accommodations.
- Provide accurate billing information, ensuring all guest charges are recorded and discrepancies are resolved before check-out.
- Coordinate guest transportation, luggage assistance, and handle final feedback with warmth and professionalism.
- Always uphold a neat and tidy reception desk.
- Check public areas on regular intervals during your shift to ensure these areas are always guest ready.
- Weekly and daily reports must be completed as per front desk shift procedures.
- Detailed PIT checks to be done on each shift and compared to guest details on Protel.
- Highlight any maintenance issues or service deficiencies promptly to maintain the hotel's standards.
- Adherence to all health and safety regulations.
Requirements
- Minimum of 2 years experience in a reception or guest relations role within the hospitality industry.
- Previous access control experience would be advantageous
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Sound observational skills
- Ability to follow the set standards as expected by the company
- Must be able to demonstrate acceptable approach to getting work done, adjusting to changing circumstances and demands
- Ability to work safely and effectively when under pressure
- Be flexible to assist in other departments
- Minimum of 2 years experience in the Front Office operations of a luxury hotel
- Proficient in use of various well-known Property Management systems
- Conversant with specialist terminology including F&B service, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Wardrobe, Security and Operational Finance
- Display a sense of urgency and dedication to meeting the needs and wishes of others
- The ability to remain calm and professional when under pressure
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written skills
- Must be professional and a team player
- Sustainable quality and attention to detail
Inherent Requirements
- Matric would be advantageous
- Grade 12
- Ability to work shifts including weekends, public holidays and night shifts
- Preference will be given to candidates from Franschhoek and neighboring areas
- Matric Certificate
- Tertiary qualification in Hospitality Management or Tourism would be advantageous
- Certificate in First Aid/Fire Fighting/Health and Safety, would be advantageous
- Ability to work shifts including night shift
Location