Host/Hostess- The Vanguard Hotel, Ann Arbor, MI in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Hotel Equities

About the Role:

As a Host/Hostess at The Vanguard Hotel in Ann Arbor, MI, you will be the first point of contact for our guests, setting the tone for their entire dining experience. Your role is pivotal in managing guest flow, ensuring timely seating, and maintaining an organized and welcoming environment. You will coordinate closely with the restaurant team to optimize table turnover while accommodating guest preferences and special requests. This position requires a balance of excellent interpersonal skills and efficient operational management to enhance guest satisfaction. Ultimately, your efforts will contribute significantly to the hotel's reputation for exceptional hospitality and service excellence.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.Previous experience in a customer service or hospitality role.Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts.Strong verbal communication skills.Basic knowledge of reservation and seating management systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a hotel or upscale restaurant environment.Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems and reservation software such as OpenTable.Multilingual abilities to assist a diverse guest population.Certification in hospitality or customer service training programs.Demonstrated ability to handle high-pressure situations with professionalism.

Responsibilities:

Greet guests warmly upon arrival and manage the reservation and waitlist system efficiently.Escort guests to their tables while providing menus and informing them of any specials or promotions.Maintain clear communication with servers and kitchen staff to ensure smooth seating and service flow.Handle guest inquiries and resolve seating-related issues promptly and professionally.Monitor dining room capacity and adjust seating arrangements to optimize guest comfort and service speed.

This job requires the ability to perform the following:

Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 4 hours in length.Must be able to exert well-paced ability in limited space.Must be able to exert well-paced ability to reach different floors of the hotel on a timely basis.Must be able to lift up to 15bs on a regular and continuing basis.Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill cleaning/inspection tasks.Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, supervisors and subordinatesVision occurs continuously with the most common visual functions being those of near vision and depth perception.Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment.All associates must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance per Company StandardsRegular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Associates with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, associates may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel. In addition, attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings are required.

Skills:

The required skills such as strong verbal communication and customer service are essential for warmly welcoming guests and managing their seating preferences effectively. Organizational skills are used daily to maintain an efficient flow of guests and coordinate with the restaurant team. Familiarity with reservation systems helps in managing bookings and waitlists accurately, ensuring minimal wait times. Preferred skills like multilingual abilities enhance communication with a diverse clientele, improving guest satisfaction. Additionally, proficiency with POS and reservation software streamlines operations and supports seamless coordination between front-of-house and kitchen staff.

Other:

Being passionate about people and service.Strong communication skills are essential when interacting with guests and employees.Reading and writing abilities are used often when completing paperwork, logging issues/complaints/requests/ information updates, etc.Basic math skills are used frequently when handling cash or credit.Problem-solving, reasoning, motivating, and training abilities are often used.Have the ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and/or holidays

Amazing Benefits at a Glance:

Team Driven and Values Based CultureSame day pay availableEmployee Assistance ProgramCareer Growth Opportunities/ Manager Training ProgramReduced Room Rates throughout the portfolio Third Party Perks (Movie Tickets, Attractions, Other)401(k) with company matchEmployee assistance programEmployee discountReferral program