Hotel Receptionist in the United Kingdom
A front desk role is the hotel’s “control room”: arrivals, departures, payments, and service recovery—often in one shift.
Short candidate portrait
The strongest CVs for hotel reception are not “hotel-only”—they show composure, accuracy, and service judgement.
- Comfortable speaking to guests, handling complaints politely, and keeping the queue moving.
- Accurate with payments, refunds, deposits, and ID checks at busy times.
- Organised: handovers, notes, and “small details” done consistently.
- Shift-ready: weekends and late finishes are not a surprise.
- Calm under pressure (arrivals peak + last-minute room changes + phone calls).
A realistic “day on the desk”
You might start by scanning arrivals, preparing room keys, and answering calls—then switch to check-ins, payment issues, and quick coordination with housekeeping. A good receptionist keeps the experience smooth even when the plan changes.
What MaViAl provides
- Role matching based on your English CV and practical experience.
- Guidance on expectations for UK hospitality shifts and onboarding.
- Clear application steps and contact support.
Typical responsibilities (front desk)
- Run check-in/check-out: verify details, issue keys, explain basics, close bills.
- Handle reservations and changes (late arrivals, room moves, extensions).
- Take payments, deposits, and refunds accurately; balance paperwork/records.
- Answer calls/emails professionally and log requests with clear notes.
- Coordinate with housekeeping/maintenance to release rooms and fix issues.
- Apply service recovery: apologise, act, document, and follow up where needed.
- Maintain data quality in the PMS (guest profiles, notes, preferences).
- Follow security basics: guest privacy, key control, incident escalation.
Depending on property size, you may also support basic concierge requests or night handover checks.
Requirements (detailed)
Must-have
- English CV and confident spoken English (guest-facing role).
- Customer service experience (hotel, retail, call centre, aviation, etc.).
- Accuracy with payments and guest data; attention to detail.
- Shift availability (incl. weekends; rota changes happen).
Strong advantage
- Experience with a PMS (Opera/Fidelio/Protel/Cloudbeds or similar).
- Handling complaints and service recovery without escalation.
- Basic admin skills: emails, logs, handovers, short written notes.
- Second language helpful (not required for most sites).
UK work conditions (practical)
- Gross pay: UK wages are normally advertised as gross (before tax/NI). You receive payslips under PAYE payroll.
- Minimum wage benchmark: from £12.21/hr (age 21+) and published to rise to £12.71/hr from 1 April 2026.
- Rota reality: early/late shifts, weekends, and peak-season pressure are normal in hospitality.
- Holiday: paid annual leave is typically accrued and shown on payslips (exact entitlement depends on contract hours).
- Onboarding: identity/right-to-work checks, payroll details, and basic training are typical.
This page is guidance for the role family. Exact pay, benefits, and schedules depend on employer, location, and contract.
Application flow (simple and fast)
CV-first screening- Build or upload your English CV (mandatory).
- We screen for guest-facing English, shift readiness, and relevant service experience.
- If the profile matches current demand, we contact you for clarifications and preferences.
- We guide next steps based on employer requirements and availability.
FAQ (Hotel Receptionist — UK)
Do hotels hire receptionists with “non-hotel” backgrounds?
Yes. Retail, restaurants, aviation, call centres, and office reception translate well if you show calm communication, accuracy, and shift availability.
Is night reception easier than day shifts?
Nights can be quieter, but responsibility is higher: security awareness, incident handling, and accurate handovers matter. Some properties include basic night audit tasks.
What makes a CV “strong” for hotel reception?
A strong CV names the environment (guest-facing), shows shift flexibility, includes payment/admin accuracy, and gives examples of solving guest problems politely under time pressure.
Is visa sponsorship likely for Hotel Receptionist roles?
Generally, no—most standard receptionist roles are not typical sponsorship targets. Apply only to vacancies that clearly state sponsorship or a valid route for the role.
Do I need a specific PMS certificate?
Usually not. Employers care more about accuracy and guest handling. If you already know a PMS, list it; otherwise, highlight that you learn systems quickly.
What documents should I prepare for onboarding?
Employers typically request identity and eligibility evidence, plus payroll details and references. Requirements vary by employer and role level.
Related roles in Hospitality & Service
- Kitchen Porter (Entry, Low sponsorship)
- Kitchen Assistant (Entry, Low sponsorship)
- Chef de Partie (Mid, Medium sponsorship)
- Sous Chef (Senior, Medium sponsorship)
- Waiter / Waitress (Entry, Low sponsorship)
- Barista (Entry, Low sponsorship)
- Bartender (Entry/Mid, Low sponsorship)
- Housekeeper (Entry, Low sponsorship)