Beach Attendant in Santa Cruz, California at La Bahia Resort and Spa

ABOUT US:

Nestled along the Pacific Coast, La Bahia Hotel & Spa celebrates its dramatic setting where the tip of Monterey Bay touches Sana Cruz's coveted Main Beach. Steeped in the romantic beauty of Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, locals and travelers alike will savor globally influenced cuisine, cocktails and wellness rituals infused with the region's agricultural bounty and coast-cultured Spirit.

SUMMARY:

The Beach Attendant is a hospitality professional who embodies the essence of luxury beachfront service, seamlessly blending personalized guest experiences with flawless food and beverage execution. This role maintains our pristine beach environment while delivering exceptional butler-style dining service to guests lounging along Santa Cruz's Main Beach. Acting as a true beach butler, the Beach Attendant anticipates needs, delivers and retrieves food and beverage orders, and ensures every guest interaction reflects La Bahia's Forbes-inspired service standards.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITY:

Beach Environment & Guest Experience

• Maintain an immaculate beach area: arrange and adjust lounge chairs, umbrellas, and cabana setups to guest preferences, ensuring optimal shade, comfort, and presentation at all times
• Replenish chilled towels, premium sunscreen, and refreshment stations throughout the shift
• Provide personalized guest orientation to beach facilities, amenities, and available services upon arrival
• Anticipate guest needs proactively — adjusting shade, offering water, or checking in — before guests have to ask
• Monitor beach safety with discreet vigilance, escalating concerns per hotel protocol

Butler & Food and Beverage Service

• Deliver food and beverage orders directly to guests on the beach with polished, butler-style presentation — including prompt setup, condiment placement, and a warm, gracious handoff
• Retrieve trays, glassware, and dishware promptly upon guest completion, maintaining a clean and uncluttered beach environment at all times
• Ensure perfect food presentation upon delivery — no wilted garnishes, proper temperatures maintained (chilled seafood, hot items hot)
• Assist in coordinating timing for multi-course or group orders, communicating with kitchen and bar staff to ensure seamless delivery
• Demonstrate proper glassware handling for all vessel types, from champagne flutes to casual beachside drinkware
• Master full menu knowledge including daily specials, dietary modifications (keto, vegan, gluten-free), and premium upgrade options
• Make confident food and cocktail recommendations tailored to individual guest preferences
• Process orders via handheld POS with accuracy, relaying any special requests or modifications clearly to the culinary team

Standards & Professionalism

• Maintain impeccable grooming standards and wear the assigned uniform exactly as specified — proper fit, cleanliness, and presentation at all times
• Wear the official hotel lapel pin prominently as part of the uniform requirement, unless embroidered onto uniform
• Maintain show-quality service stations (polished ice bins, crisp linens, organized service carts)
• Perform all other duties as assigned by management

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a beach attendant, pool attendant, or luxury hotel/resort guest services role preferred
• Prior butler, food running, or tableside service experience strongly preferred
• Ability to stand and walk on sand and varied outdoor terrain for extended periods
• Capability to carry trays weighing up to 25 lbs
• Comfortable working in varying outdoor weather conditions — sun, wind, and coastal temperatures
• Strong social intuition; able to read guest moods and adapt service style accordingly
• Capable of maintaining composure and delivering polished service during peak hours
• Multilingual abilities highly preferred
• Highly organized with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced outdoor environment
• Current CPR/First Aid certification a plus
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

This role offers a dynamic work environment and growth opportunity where your contributions directly impact the guest experience and hotel revenues. If you are detail oriented, creative, dedicated to the guest experience and enjoy working in a team-oriented atmosphere, we invite you to join our Plunge team at La Bahia Hotel & Spa.