Host / Hostess

Role Overview

The Host / Hostess is responsible for welcoming guests on arrival, managing the immediate front-of-house guest flow, and ensuring a warm, polished, and well-organised first impression in line with the food & beverage Group standards. As one of the first points of contact in the venue, this role plays an important part in greeting guests, managing reservations and waitlists, supporting table allocation, and helping the service team maintain a smooth guest arrival experience.

The role combines guest interaction, reservations support, and operational coordination, with a strong focus on greeting, seating flow, communication, and professional presentation.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Welcome & First Impressions

• Welcome guests warmly and professionally on arrival and acknowledge departing guests courteously.
• Create a strong first impression that reflects the venue’s brand standards, energy, and service culture.
• Manage guest arrivals confidently during busy periods, maintaining calm, friendliness, and professionalism at all times.

Reservations & Seating Support

• Manage reservations, walk-ins, and waitlists accurately across approved booking channels and systems.
• Support table allocation and seating flow in line with floor capacity, booking priorities, and service readiness.
• Provide accurate wait time guidance to guests and update them professionally where delays or changes occur.
• Coordinate closely with managers and the service team to ensure smooth seating flow and balanced section management.

Guest Communication & Service Support

• Answer guest phone calls and basic enquiries in a clear, courteous, and helpful manner.
• Escort guests to their tables and present menus where required, ensuring a smooth handover to the service team.
• Communicate guest requests, preferences, special occasions, or seating needs clearly to the floor team.
• Escalate guest complaints, dissatisfaction, or operational issues promptly to the manager on duty.

Standards & Front Desk Presentation

• Maintain the host stand, entrance, and waiting area in a clean, organised, and guest-ready condition throughout service.
• Uphold grooming, punctuality, professionalism, and brand representation standards at all times.
• Ensure reservation records, guest notes, and front desk materials are accurate, organised, and handled appropriately.

KPIs & Success Metrics

• Quality of guest welcome and first impression.
• Accuracy and efficiency of reservations, waitlist handling, and table seating flow.
• Clear communication and coordination with service and management teams.
• Professionalism, grooming, and front desk presentation standards.

Candidate Requirements

• 1–3 years’ experience in a host / hostess, reception, guest-facing, or front-of-house role within hospitality, restaurant, café, or hotel environments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a warm and confident guest-facing manner.
• Experience using reservation platforms or booking systems is an advantage.
• Ability to remain calm, organised, and professional under pressure during busy service periods.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are an advantage.