Lobby Lounge Host

AccorHotel • Santa Monica, CA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to Food & Beverage Leadership, you are the heartbeat of the guest arrival experience. A genuine smile, cheerful energy, and graceful composure are essential. As the first point of contact, you set the tone for a luxury dining experience by ensuring every guest feels welcomed, recognized, and personally valued from the moment they arrive. Guest Experience & First Impressions What You Will Be Doing You are responsible for creating an elevated first impression and managing the flow of the dining room with warmth, precision, and professionalism.

Requirements

• Previous Food & Beverage experience in an upscale or luxury environment required
• Experience with POS and reservation systems required (OpenTable strongly preferred)
• Knowledge of the Los Angeles and Santa Monica dining scene required
• Strong understanding of Forbes 5-star / LQA service standards
• Ability to remain calm, poised, and professional under pressure
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Natural warmth, hospitality mindset, and guest-first attitude
• Strong attention to detail and ability to read guest behavior and needs
• Team-oriented with willingness to support all areas of service

Responsibilities

• Greet every guest within 5 feet and 5 seconds with eye contact, a warm smile, and sincere welcome
• Use guest names when known and introduce yourself to create a personal connection
• Read guest cues to anticipate purpose of visit (celebration, business, leisure, etc.)
• Communicate guest preferences, milestones, and special occasions to the service team
• Escort guests to tables at a comfortable pace and provide gracious seating assistance when appropriate
• Deliver thoughtful farewells, thanking guests personally and inviting return visits
• Handle guest concerns with empathy, urgency, and ownership
• Review VIPs, reservations, and special occasions prior to service
• Communicate guest preferences, allergies, and notes to the team
• Update guest profiles in OpenTable after visits to enhance personalization
• Anticipate guest needs before they are requested (seating, accessibility, etc.)
• Maintain awareness of dining room atmosphere and guest flow at all times
• Manage seating, reservations, and table pacing using OpenTable
• Respond to reservation inquiries promptly and professionally
• Book future reservations accurately, capturing guest preferences and details
• Manage wait times transparently and provide comfortable waiting experiences
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of menus and notify management when replacements are needed
• Ensure dining room remains visually polished throughout service
• Assist with light table maintenance and support service staff when needed
• Maintain impeccable personal presentation at all times
• Follow all service, safety, and sanitation standards

Benefits

• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates in Accor worldwide for you and your family
• Learning programs through our Academies designed to sharpen your skills
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities, like Planet 21
• Career development opportunities with national and international promotion opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed