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 centre; 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 it began in 2001, known as a luxury hotel brand company.

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

Anantara Downtown has several restaurants which might be valuable to you. The signature dining, fine dining Indian, Japanese cuisine, and speciality concept restaurants.

The Job Role Terms

The hostess is the first main face that guests will encounter; it’s the first impression customers feel warmly welcomed with. This role carries more weight than the people in the other departments, because a hostess will meet 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 to guide 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 job role’s main responsibility is to make the guest feel comfortable and special at all times. A professional manner, personality, and approachable appearance are some of the skills that shine in this role.

Key Responsibilities as a Hostess:

• Guest welcoming and seating: upon the first arrival of the customer, 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. With a professional manner, greet the customers, enquire about the free tables, and do not let them walk alone through the door. 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 organise a seating plan up-to-date. Manage the guest waitlist, anticipate wait times, and be transparent and faster to minimise guest frustration. You have to focus and be alert on the floor for seating guests in a smart way, especially during peak hours and busy weekends, without degrading the customer dining experience.
• Menu information and awareness: Present the menus to the guests and be comfortable talking to them about special dining offers, happy hours, restaurant seasonal 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. 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 commercial area of Business Bay. A wide range of guests, like tourists, business owners, hotel residents, and local regular customers, must be handled by you. Be aware of the special requests of the guests, 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 that they feel is valuable at the restaurant.
• Reception area: the host stand and the reception desk have to be well-organised and tidy. All the menus have to be cleaned without any 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 for standards. Follow the hotel’s grooming and uniform standards as well. As a representative of the front door at the restaurant, maintaining your appearance is a matter.
• Guest requests or complaints: Handle guest complaints in a professional and friendly manner. Be polite and try to solve the issue on the spot without letting the customer be 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, cancelled reservations, VIP arrivals, and availability of tables for ongoing operation.

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 organisational 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.