We invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Fairmont Southampton as our new Host/Hostess. Reporting to the Maître’ d, the Host ensures guests are welcomed warmly, seated efficiently, and enjoy a personalized dining experience. The role requires multitasking, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence in guest service.
Key Responsibilities
Guest Reception & Service
- Consistently provide a professional, friendly, and engaging welcome to all guests, ensuring an exceptional first impression.
- Seat guests according to floor plan strategy, ensuring fairness among servers and guest satisfaction with table placement.
- Present menus, take drink orders, and assist with menu explanations, including wine pairings and specials.
- Anticipate guest needs and respond promptly, maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor at all times.
Reservations & Floor Management
- Oversee the restaurant reservation system, including bookings in person, over the phone, and via digital applications.
- Communicate reservation changes, cancellations, or VIP arrivals to management and service staff throughout the shift.
- Identify and communicate VIP guests, special occasions, and guest preferences to ensure personalized service.
- Understand daily restaurant operations, table layouts, room capacities, and service standards to optimize guest flow and dining experience.
- Monitor waiting lists during peak periods and implement procedures to minimize guest wait times.
Operational Support
- Ensure tables are properly set, check folders and menus are stocked and clean, and the hostess station is organized.
- Maintain cleanliness, presentation, and organization of host stand, menus, and guest-facing materials at all times.
- Assist in delivering food and beverages to guests as needed.
- Support servers, management, and restaurant operations by understanding POS system operations and shift-end reporting.
- Follow all outlet policies, procedures, and service standards, and perform additional duties as assigned.
- Demonstrate basic working knowledge of the POS system to support service flow and reporting as required.
- Maintains professional grooming, posture, and appearance in line with Fairmont brand standards.