F & B Hostess – Anantara Hotel Downtown

Job Description

Anantara Hotel and Resorts

In the heart of Dubai, the Downtown Anantara luxury hotel is proudly located, attracting those passing through the nearby downtown. The hotel concept is rooted in the inspiring, innovative Thai hotel concept. It includes 250 hotel rooms and suites; a Mood bar; an outdoor swimming pool; a fitness center; an Anantara spa; a lobby lounge; the signature restaurant; boardrooms; and eight premium-level business meeting rooms, which can accommodate around 500 pax. Under Minor Hotel, Anantara operates and began in 2001 as a luxury hotel brand.

The Oberoi Dubai transformed into the Anantara Hotel Downtown in 2022. Since then, it has undergone a rebrand and been renovated to a luxury hotel lifestyle level. The hotel is located in the commercial area of Business Bay. It is accessible to the airport (just 20 mins), the Dubai Future Museum, Burj Khalifa, and World Trade Center (15 mins), and is surrounded by many tourist attractions.

Anantara Downtown has several restaurants that might be of interest to you: signature dining, fine-dining Indian, Japanese cuisine, and specialty concept restaurants.

The Job Role Terms

The hostess is the first main face guests encounter; it’s the first impression customers have and the one that makes them feel warmly welcomed. This role carries more weight than that of people in other departments, because a hostess meets the guest before the guest sits or even before the guest orders anything. As a hostess in the Anantara Downtown Hotel, it’s not just about helping customers; it’s about guiding them to the tables. It’s far beyond that. You have control of the entire dining floor, control the restaurant reservations, and focus on the tables that will be turning soon. The hostess’s main responsibility is to make guests feel comfortable and special at all times. A professional manner, personality, and an approachable appearance are among the qualities that shine in this role.

Key Responsibilities as a Hostess:

• Guest welcoming and seating: upon the customer’s first arrival, make a positive, excellent impression while maintaining the standards of luxury hospitality. Unlike others, you are the first face the guest talks to upon arrival at the restaurant outlet. Professionally, greet customers, enquire about available free tables, and do not let them walk through the door alone. Escort guests to tables personally and hand over the menu with confidence and a calm manner. The whole restaurant floor balances on you.
• Reservations handling: upon arrival, guide the guests to their assigned tables based on table availability and proper seating. The reservation system is in your hands. Via email, mobile, or in person through the hotel, confirm the customer details accurately and organize an up-to-date seating plan. Manage the guest waitlist, anticipate wait times, and be transparent and faster to minimize guest frustration. You have to stay focused and alert on the floor when seating guests, especially during peak hours and busy weekends, without compromising the customer dining experience.
• Menu information and awareness: Present menus to guests and be comfortable discussing special dining offers, happy hours, seasonal restaurant concepts, and daily promotions.
• Assist FOH Operations: You will work closely with the restaurant staff, such as servers, bartenders, supervisors, and restaurant managers, to ensure dining floor activity, guest requests, and incoming customers are handled. The position of your stand is at the intersection of the restaurant front door and the dining tables. To ensure smooth operations, communication with FOH staff is vital.
• VIP guest handling: Anatara Downtown is located near the Business Bay commercial area. You must handle a wide range of guests, such as tourists, business owners, hotel residents, and regular local customers. Be aware of guests’ special requests, seating arrangements, functions, and event setups for special events such as birthdays or anniversaries. It is one of your responsibilities to maintain proper VIP service. Mastering regular VIP customers: keep in mind their names and faces, and offer a genuine service they value at the restaurant.
• Reception area: the host stand and reception desk must be well organized and tidy. All menus must be clean of dirt, and reservation materials and equipment must be in order. Your destination should always be prepared for the guest’s arrival.
• Grooming standards: Anantara Downtown Hotel has high expectations. Follow the hotel’s grooming and uniform standards as well. As a representative at the restaurant’s front door, maintaining your appearance is important.
• Guest requests or complaints: Handle guest complaints in a professional and friendly manner. Be polite and try to resolve the issue on the spot without leaving the customer disappointed. Problem-solving skills are highly valuable at this point. What doesn’t work? You can escalate complaints to higher management.
• Updating the service floor: keep and actively follow the track records of guest reservations, guest requirements, suggestions, and service issues with the supervisor. The volume of guests, waiting lists, canceled reservations, VIP arrivals, and table availability operations

Position Requirements

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a guest relations desk, reception, or hostess job role in a star-class hotel.
• Fluency in English and additional languages is considered an advantage.
• A diploma in customer service or a relevant field.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• A problem solver under high-volume customer pressure.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a positive attitude.
• Positive, friendly, and team-spirited attitude.
• Proficiency in SevenRooms, Opera PMS, Resy, and Microsoft.
• Able to work under pressure, especially during weekends and rush hours.
• Basic knowledge of fine dining and luxury service standards.