Receptionist

Bright Placements; Hout Bay; On-site; ZAR 150 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hotel is seeking a receptionist to provide exceptional service to guests. Responsibilities include checking guests in and out, managing reservations, and providing information about hotel facilities and local attractions. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of experience, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in hotel management systems. This role demands professionalism and flexibility with shifts.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years experience in front desk or guest services in a luxury hotel.
• Proficiency in hotel PMS systems essential.
• Additional language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Check guests in & out smoothly and ensure billing accuracy.
• Handle reservations and modify bookings as necessary.
• Assist with guest enquiries about facilities and local attractions.

Skills

Excellent verbal & written communication

Interpersonal / guest service skills

Organisational skills & multitasking

Problem solving

Education

Matric (Grade 12)

Hospitality or tourism certificate

Tools

Property Management Systems (Opera, Protel, Fidelio)

Microsoft Office

Job description

A receptionist in a 5‑star hotel is more than just greeting guests. They are central to the guest experience. Key responsibilities typically include :

• Guest arrival & departure

  Check guests in & out smoothly and efficiently; issue key cards; verify guest details; collect payment; ensure billing accuracy.

• Reservations & bookings

  Handle reservations (phone, email, direct, online); modify / cancel bookings; ensure room allocation is correct; coordinate with reservation department.

• Guest enquiries & concierge‑style service

  Provide information about the hotel facilities (restaurants, spa, events), local attractions, transport, shopping etc.; assist with special requests (e.g. dietary needs, early check‑in / late check‑out).

• Front office system usage

  Use PMS (Property Management System) to record guest details, room status, payments; coordinate with housekeeping, maintenance etc.

• Telephone and message handling

  Answer calls politely; direct to appropriate departments; take messages; follow up.

• Upselling / cross‑selling

  Promote hotel services (spa treatments, dinners, excursions); encourage upgrades or add‑ons in a tasteful way.

• Cash handling and billing

  Handle payments (credit card, cash, etc.); balance cash drawer; issue invoices; resolve billing queries.

• Complaints & problem resolution

  Deal with guest complaints diplomatically; elevate where necessary; follow up to make sure guest is satisfied.

• Coordination with other departments

  Work with housekeeping (room availability, guest requests), maintenance (fix things), food & beverage, spa, concierge etc.

• Maintain reception & lobby areas

  Keep the reception / lobby tidy, presentable; ensure supplies (brochures, etc.) are stocked; ensure signage is correct; maintain the atmosphere befitting 5‑star standards.

• Administrative tasks

  Record‑keeping; preparing daily reports; shift handovers; emails; preparing daily arrival / departure lists; sometimes assisting with group bookings / conferences.

• Security & safety procedures

  Follow hotel’s safety, emergency and security policies; ensure guest identity where required; be aware of fire or evacuation protocols.

• Flexibility with shifts

  Work mornings / evenings / weekends / public holidays; possibly overnight shifts or late shifts depending on hotel.

What the hotel will expect from a candidate, to ensure they can deliver the level of service a 5‑star establishment demands :

• Formal education

  Matric (Grade 12) at a minimum; hospitality, tourism, or front‑office management certificate / diploma preferred. Some hotels may prefer a “hotel school” or vocational training.

• Relevant experience

  1‑3 years (sometimes more) in front desk / reception / guest services in a luxury / 4‑ or 5‑star hotel. Experience with reservations, checking‑in / out, customer service under pressure.

• System knowledge

  Proficiency in hotel PMS systems such as Opera, Protel, Fidelio, or similar. Also Microsoft Office, email, possibly point‑of‑sale.

• Communication skills

  Excellent verbal & written communication in English; additional languages are a plus (helpful in Cape Town which is a tourist area). Good telephone etiquette.

• Interpersonal / guest service skills

  Friendly, polite, patient. Ability to remain calm under pressure; anticipate guest needs; attention to detail; diplomacy in dealing with complaints.

• Professional appearance & grooming

  As they are “face of the hotel” – neat uniform, clean appearance, good personal hygiene. 5‑star standards demand professionalism in how one presents.

• Flexibility & reliability

  Willingness to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays. Dependability is vital.

• Organisational skills & multitasking

  Must be able to handle many different tasks simultaneously (phone calls, check‑ins, guest requests) without losing composure.

• Attention to detail

  Accuracy in billing, records, guest preferences; ensuring nothing is missed (room readiness, special requests) etc.

• Problem solving

  Quick thinking when dealing with unexpected issues : overbooking, service failures, unexpected guest requests, etc.

• Language skills

  As mentioned, English fluency is essential. Local languages (Afrikaans, Xhosa) helpful. Additional foreign languages (German, French, Dutch, etc) are a plus in luxury tourism in Cape Town / Hout Bay.

• Legal / regulatory knowledge (basic)

  Understanding of data privacy (guest info), safety regulations, possibly local lodging / linen / hygiene standards.