Lobby Lounge Host
Reporting to Food & Beverage Leadership, you are the heartbeat of the guest arrival experience. A genuine smile, cheerful energy, and graceful composure are essential. As the first point of contact, you set the tone for a luxury dining experience by ensuring every guest feels welcomed, recognized, and personally valued from the moment they arrive. Guest Experience & First Impressions
What You Will Be Doing
You are responsible for creating an elevated first impression and managing the flow of the dining room with warmth, precision, and professionalism.
Guest Experience & First Impressions
· Greet every guest within 5 feet and 5 seconds with eye contact, a warm smile, and sincere welcome
· Use guest names when known and introduce yourself to create a personal connection
· Read guest cues to anticipate purpose of visit (celebration, business, leisure, etc.)
· Communicate guest preferences, milestones, and special occasions to the service team
· Escort guests to tables at a comfortable pace and provide gracious seating assistance when appropriate
· Deliver thoughtful farewells, thanking guests personally and inviting return visits
· Handle guest concerns with empathy, urgency, and ownership
Anticipatory & Personalized Service
· Review VIPs, reservations, and special occasions prior to service
· Communicate guest preferences, allergies, and notes to the team
· Update guest profiles in OpenTable after visits to enhance personalization
· Anticipate guest needs before they are requested (seating, accessibility, etc.)
· Maintain awareness of dining room atmosphere and guest flow at all times
Floor & Reservation Management
· Manage seating, reservations, and table pacing using OpenTable
· Respond to reservation inquiries promptly and professionally
· Book future reservations accurately, capturing guest preferences and details
· Manage wait times transparently and provide comfortable waiting experiences
Dining Room Presentation & Upkeep
· Maintain cleanliness and organization of menus and notify management when replacements are needed
· Ensure dining room remains visually polished throughout service
· Assist with light table maintenance and support service staff when needed
· Maintain impeccable personal presentation at all times
· Follow all service, safety, and sanitation standards
· Previous Food & Beverage experience in an upscale or luxury environment required
· Experience with POS and reservation systems required (OpenTable strongly preferred)
· Knowledge of the Los Angeles and Santa Monica dining scene required
· Strong understanding of Forbes 5-star / LQA service standards
· Ability to remain calm, poised, and professional under pressure
· Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
· Natural warmth, hospitality mindset, and guest-first attitude
· Strong attention to detail and ability to read guest behavior and needs
· Team-oriented with willingness to support all areas of service
Physical Requirements
· Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours)
· Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent movement
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.