Boutique Hotel Host / Front Desk Coordinator

Location: Knysna, Western Cape

Position: Full-time

Primary Shift: Out of Season 14:00 - 21:00/ In-Season 15:00 - 22:00

Salary: R15,000–R20,000 per month, depending on experience and ability

About the Role

We’re looking for someone who is much more than a traditional receptionist.

Our client is a stylish boutique hotel in Knysna looking for a warm, charismatic and naturally engaging host who can take ownership of the guest experience from the moment a reservation is made through to check-out.

You’ll handle the usual front desk and reservations responsibilities, but your real strength will be people.

We’re looking for someone who genuinely loves interacting with guests — someone who can make people feel at home, strike up a great conversation, tell a good story, recommend a favourite local restaurant or experience, and instinctively pick up on what a guest might enjoy.

You should have a personality that fills a room without taking it over. You’re warm, bubbly, confident and naturally curious about people. You may be a little theatrical, a great storyteller, or simply someone who has a knack for making people feel comfortable within minutes of meeting them.

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome guests warmly and create a memorable first impression
• Manage guest check-ins and check-outs
• Handle reservations, bookings, enquiries and guest correspondence
• Assist with general front desk and reception duties
• Build genuine relationships with guests and make their stay feel personal rather than transactional
• Engage naturally with guests and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
• Recommend restaurants, activities, experiences and local hidden gems
• Help guests make the most of their time in Knysna and the surrounding area
• Anticipate guest needs and look for opportunities to enhance their experience
• Handle guest requests and queries with warmth, confidence and professionalism
• Keep up to date with hotel offerings, local experiences and things happening in the area
• Build relationships with returning guests
• Assist with representing the personality and experience of the hotel through social media and other guest-facing content
• Work closely with the wider hotel team to ensure a seamless guest experience
• Maintain a professional, organised and welcoming front desk at all times

Requirements

• Previous experience in hospitality, hotel reception, guest relations, hosting, tourism or another high-touch customer-facing environment
• A genuine passion for people, hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences
• Strong communication skills and a naturally warm, confident and engaging personality
• Comfortable working with online systems, booking platforms and general computer applications
• Good administrative and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail
• Experience using hotel reservation, booking or property management systems would be highly advantageous
• Previous hotel or tourism experience would be preferable
• Comfortable handling reservations, guest enquiries, check-ins, check-outs and general front desk responsibilities
• Confident communicating with guests via email, telephone, WhatsApp and other digital channels
• Comfortable learning new technology and systems quickly
• Good knowledge of Knysna and the Garden Route would be advantageous
• Comfortable using social media and representing the personality of the hotel online
• Able to work primarily afternoon/evening shifts, including weekends and public holidays when required
• Reliable, well-presented and professional, while still being relaxed, personable and authentic
• Must be legally authorised to work in South Africa. Proof of eligibility to work will be required.

Personality & Hosting Fit

Above all, we are looking for someone who is naturally good with people.

You should be the type of person who enjoys meeting strangers, starts conversations easily and genuinely wants to know more about the people staying with you.

You should have the confidence to make recommendations, tell a story, inject some personality into an interaction and make a guest feel like they have been personally welcomed rather than simply checked in.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Extraverted and charismatic
• Warm, bubbly and approachable
• Naturally caring and attentive
• A great conversationalist and storyteller
• Comfortable taking the initiative
• Intuitive and observant — someone who notices the little things
• Confident enough to make recommendations and engage with guests
• Naturally curious about people
• Energetic and enthusiastic about hospitality
• Comfortable being visible and expressive on social media
• Someone who will genuinely invest in the hotel, its guests and the team
• A positive team player who is happy to get involved and become part of the hotel culture

Experience

Previous experience in hotel reception, reservations, guest relations, hospitality, tourism or a similar customer-facing environment is preferred.

Experience with hotel reservation or property management systems will be an advantage.

That said, personality and hosting ability are incredibly important for this role. We would consider someone from a strong hospitality, tourism, restaurant, events or premium customer-service background who has the right natural ability with people and the desire to grow within a boutique hotel environment.

What Success Looks Like

A guest shouldn't leave thinking:

“The receptionist was efficient.”

“What a lovely person. They made us feel so welcome.”

The successful candidate will become an important part of the hotel's personality — someone guests remember, connect with and want to see again.

Salary

R15,000–R20,000 per month, depending on experience and ability.

How to Apply

If you’re someone who genuinely loves people, thrives on interaction and knows how to make others feel at home, we’d love to hear from you.

Email your CV to: ***email_hidden***

WhatsApp: +27 76 989 5083