Front Desk

A hotel receptionist is the person or persons who work at the front desk of a hotel, greeting guests upon arrival and assisting them with any problems during their stay. A hotel front desk person may also be referred to as a desk clerk. Most hotels simply require their receptionists to have a high school diploma or equivalent, though some may have an associate's degree in an area such as business or hotel management.
In day to day work, a hotel receptionist will likely need to answer phones when potential guests call, to answer questions or take reservations. He or she will need to maintain records and possibly create and keep a filing system, and keep her work area neat because it is the first thing a guest will see upon entering the hotel. When a guest arrives, the hotel receptionist will complete the check-in process. 

This involves assigning a room to a guest, creating a key, and explaining hotel policies regarding check-out times and any included meals. The receptionist will need to maintain a cash drawer in order to accept payments for a room, either on cash or credit cards. She may also need to set up a charge account for guests to use during their stay, so they are able to charge things to their rooms, and pay for it all at once upon check-out. 

A hotel receptionist is available for guests to answer questions throughout the length of their stay. Guests may simply call the front desk, or they may stop by. If a guest has any problems, the receptionist should be able to solve the problem herself, or direct the guest to someone who can. Finally, a hotel receptionist will help guests to check out and accept final payment for their rooms and services. The receptionist should make sure the guests had a pleasant stay, and listen to any suggestions they have for improvement.

Hotel receptionists need good computer skills and math skills, as well as the ability to provide good customer service. The receptionist may be one of the only hotel employees that guests see during their stay, so it is important that they represent the establishment well. Receptionists may work full or part time, and hotels will often have a receptionist at the front desk 24 hours a day, so shifts can vary significantly. Hotel receptionists may be able to be promoted into a supervisory position if they succeed at their job.