If you’ve had the chance to visit several hostels, you’ve likely come across a unique kind of receptionist during your travels: the multitasker who handles five different responsibilities with the calm competence and precision of a professional knife juggler. They warmly greet you with a relaxed smile, skillfully guiding you through the check-in process while engaging in friendly conversations and light-hearted banter. In their company, you instantly feel a sense of belonging, as if you’ve found a new friend in an unfamiliar city. For those of us who’ve ventured to various places, it’s natural to ponder how these individuals—often hailing from different countries than the one you’re currently in—ended up working in these hostel roles. You might even attempt to envision yourself in their shoes.
If you haven’t contemplated this scenario, take a moment now to picture yourself as the confident receptionist at a hostel, extending a warm welcome to guests from around the globe, serving as their initial introduction to a new environment. Does the prospect excite you? Perhaps it also triggers some nervousness and uncertainty about mastering the intricacies of the receptionist role. Personally, I experienced a blend of both emotions. That’s why today, I’d like to delve into the world of working as a hostel receptionist, shedding light on the experience to help you envisage it and potentially prepare yourself for a receptionist role in your future Hostelworks endeavors.
Let’s explore the dynamics of being the person behind the desk.
Beyond Reception Responsibilities
To start, allow me to put your mind at ease. Your host won’t thrust you directly into reception work upon arrival! As you browse potential hosts, you’ll find their task requirements listed on Hostelworks. In cases like these, you won’t be immediately assigned to the reception desk. Your host will ensure you’re familiar with the hostel first, often by immersing you in its day-to-day operations. Also, learn about various work exchange positions.
The Reception Training Process
Familiarizing yourself with room names, numbers, accommodation types, and hostel rules is a foundational part of reception duties. After settling in and gaining comfort navigating the hostel, you will usually shadow a manager or a fellow volunteer. This progression leads to the pivotal moment when your handed the keys and get the privilege of checking in your first guests. If you’re grappling with concerns about not knowing the ropes, rest assured—there’s no need for apprehension. Your host desires to offer guests (and you!) an exceptional experience, which entails having a receptionist who exudes confidence, warmth, and familiarity with the hostel and city. They won’t assign you the role without proper guidance.
PRO TIP: To make a strong start as a volunteer receptionist, seize the opportunity to explore the city extensively. Don’t delay in immersing yourself in your surroundings. Despite potential fatigue from traveling, embracing exploration not only guarantees a good night’s sleep but also aids in acquainting yourself with the area around the hostel. This knowledge benefits both you and the guests you’ll assist—you’ll be capable of answering queries, providing directions to local attractions, and recommending dining and entertainment options. Ultimately, an exceptional receptionist is not just welcoming and attentive, but also knowledgeable about their work environment.
The Spectrum of Reception Responsibilities
Although most reception tasks share common elements, each hostel’s operational framework is distinct, ensuring smooth functioning. Let’s delve into the potential tasks that might fall under your purview. Following your shadowing under another receptionist’s guidance and upon receiving the green light from them, you’ll have the opportunity to take charge of the reception while they remain available for support. This is your moment to shine! Whether stationed behind a desk or moving around the hostel, your primary responsibility when guests arrive is to offer a warm and swift greeting, accompanied by a friendly smile. You are the guests’ first impression of the hostel, and your initial interaction sets the tone for their entire stay. Despite other pending tasks, attending to guests’ needs promptly is paramount.
PRO TIP: As you welcome guests, inquire how you can assist them. Don’t presume they’ve pre-booked online; you might encounter walk-ins seeking on-site bookings or individuals merely curious about the hostel’s offerings. Once you determine their purpose, you can tailor your assistance. If they’re checking in, you’ll guide them through the process. Each hostel employs a unique booking and check-in system, so you’ll need to familiarize yourself with yours. This might involve paperwork, digital data entry, or a combination of both. Typically, you’ll request personal identification (like a driver’s license or passport) to verify booking details and allocate the correct room. You’ll also verify payment and sometimes collect a room-key deposit fee. If card payments are involved, you’ll learn to handle the payment machine. Maintaining a balance of friendliness and professionalism ensures guests feel secure and well-cared for.
Check in
If you encounter uncertainty or forget a step during check-in, never improvise just to expedite the process. Maintaining professionalism is crucial. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance when needed, as it saves you future complications. After addressing payment matters, you’ll provide guests with essential information about the hostel: rules, checkout time, and the Wi-Fi password. Some hostels even conduct brief tours, highlighting cooking facilities, lounges, bathrooms, and escorting guests to their rooms, sometimes assisting with luggage. If tours aren’t customary, verbally acquaint guests with the amenities and point them toward their rooms as you hand over keys or access codes. Most guests will seek local insights, making it your responsibility to offer directions, suggestions, and recommendations.
Familiarity with key bus routes, street names, and local attractions is advantageous. Larger city hostels may provide maps to facilitate exploration. It’s vital to understand that your role encompasses more than just check-in; you’re expected to resolve issues with cheerfulness and attention to detail whenever guests require assistance. Your personalized approach enhances guests’ experiences, leading to glowing reviews and increased interest in the hostel. While nervousness or initial uncertainty may arise, you’ll quickly evolve into a proficient and welcoming receptionist. Exemplary hostel receptionists exhibit traits such as hospitality, effective problem-solving, a cheerful demeanor, and a thirst for learning. Proficient communication with teammates and guests—alongside an understanding of the languages spoken in your host country and its cultural nuances— is also pivotal.
Check-out
Check-out periods are typically straightforward. Hostels establish designated times to accommodate room preparation for incoming guests. During your check-out shift, you’re responsible for collecting room keys (and thereby returning key deposits) and addressing any final inquiries guests might have about their next destinations, including assisting with taxi bookings when necessary. In busier hostels, your role might remain desk-bound for most of the shift. Smaller establishments, like those where I volunteered, might require more active engagement. In addition to managing check-outs and addressing queries, the morning shift might encompass laundry tasks. As guests check out, they’ll remove bed linens and place them in bins near the reception.
Promptly attending to laundry is crucial to ensure preparedness for the next night’s arrivals. Timers can enhance efficiency, helping manage tasks adeptly. Another common check-out duty involves maintaining kitchen cleanliness and overseeing breakfast arrangements (if provided). If not, timely presentation and upkeep of food are essential to grant guests a pleasant start to their day. Kitchens can swiftly become chaotic during meal preparations, necessitating frequent checks to uphold orderliness. A pivotal responsibility of the check-out shift involves compiling a list of scheduled afternoon and evening check-ins. This rundown assists the cleaning team in readying rooms appropriately. Accurate information is vital to avoid last-minute scrambles later in the day. Following check-outs, you might participate in cleaning shifts or tend to the reception area—dependent on the specifics of your agreement with the host.
Additional Reception Responsibilities
1. Maintaining Hostel Cleanliness: While on reception duty, monitoring and tidying common areas like lounges and kitchens will likely fall within your scope. Although free time might be available, prioritizing tasks before engaging in personal activities ensures the hostel’s upkeep.
2. Answering Phone Calls: An integral facet of reception work involves answering phone calls—requiring solid communication and linguistic skills. Politeness, clarity, and identifying yourself when speaking are essential practices. Responding to calls resembles assisting in-person queries. Capture relevant booking details if needed, confirm information, and maintain a professional demeanor. Handling payment details for same-day bookings might also be necessary.
3. Managing Emails: Part of your role might involve addressing emails and sending reminders. Hostels may provide templates for standard emails. Maintain courteous and professional online interactions, ensuring you fulfill commitments you make.
PRO TIP: Frequent email and booking system checks are crucial for accommodating last-minute online bookings. Remaining attentive prevents unforeseen surprises and portrays professionalism to arriving guests. The Standard Reception Schedule: Schedules can vary between hostels, but let’s consider the pattern I encountered during my volunteering experiences.
Navigating Customer Service
While assisting and interacting with guests constitutes a rewarding aspect of reception work, it’s also a challenging facet. Travelers might be weary, anxious, uncomfortable, or irritable, intensifying the complexity of interactions. Remember that different cultures manifest feelings distinctively, and guest frustrations usually aren’t personal attacks. While striving to accommodate all guests is admirable, it’s impossible to satisfy everyone or solve every issue. Understand that some situations are beyond your control, and avoid mirroring negative behaviors. During check-in, if a guest’s behavior raises concerns or seems unusual, consult your manager before proceeding. Safety is paramount.
PRO TIP: When confronted with difficult situations, remain composed and professional. To diffuse tension, apologize for the situation, acknowledge feelings, provide explanations, and outline solutions. Occasionally, guests might remain unreasonable, warranting managerial intervention. Maintaining perspective and finding humor in situations reduces stress and yields future anecdotes. In anticipation of challenging scenarios, consult your manager to establish a protocol. Most managers don’t anticipate you to manage all situations independently. Though reception work poses challenges, it’s a phenomenal opportunity for travelers. Embrace its diverse tasks, refine customer service skills, and connect with incredible individuals worldwide.