Restaurant Host / Hostess

Position Summary

The Restaurant Host / Hostess is responsible for creating a positive first and last impression for all restaurant guests. This position greets guests warmly, manages seating arrangements, maintains accurate wait lists, answers telephone inquiries, and assists with the smooth flow of restaurant operations while providing exceptional guest service in accordance with Marriott brand standards.

Essential Functions

• Welcome and greet guests promptly with a friendly, professional attitude.
• Escort guests to their tables while maintaining proper seating rotation.
• Manage reservations and wait lists efficiently.
• Answer incoming telephone calls courteously and assist guests with reservations, restaurant information, and general inquiries.
• Maintain knowledge of daily specials, menu offerings, restaurant hours, and hotel amenities.
• Cooking and serving food (light side work).
• Coordinate seating with servers to ensure balanced table assignments.
• Monitor dining room activity to maximize seating efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming host stand and restaurant entrance.
• Assist in preparing menus and ensuring they are clean and presentable.
• Communicate effectively with servers, food runners, bussers, bartenders, and kitchen staff regarding guest needs and table availability.
• Assist guests with special requests, accessibility needs, and celebrations.
• Thank guests as they leave and invite them to return.
• Absorb additional duties as assigned by management.

Experience

• A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Previous restaurant, hotel, hospitality, or customer service experience is preferred.
• Experience using reservation or point-of-sale systems is preferred but not required.

Skills

• Outstanding customer service and hospitality skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional appearance and positive attitude.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to remain calm and courteous during busy service periods.
• Basic computer and reservation system knowledge.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and guest recovery skills.

Physical Job Requirements

• Continuous standing and walking throughout the shift.
• Frequent reaching, bending, and light lifting.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to remain on feet for extended periods.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands.
• Manual dexterity to operate reservation systems, telephones, and POS equipment.

Environment

• Hearing: Must be able to hear guest requests, telephone conversations, and communications from team members in a busy restaurant environment.
• Vision: Must be able to recognize guests entering the restaurant, monitor table availability, read reservation information, and maintain awareness of dining room activity.
• Speech: Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally with guests, restaurant staff, and management.
• Literacy: Must be able to read reservation logs, menus, seating charts, daily communications, and departmental procedures.

Equipment

• Computer and reservation system
• Point-of-sale (POS) terminal
• Telephone
• Guest pager or waitlist system (if applicable)
• Seating chart or reservation tablet
• Credit card terminal (if applicable)
• Menus
• Host stand supplies
• Two-way radio or communication device (if applicable)