Hotel Interview Questions

If you are looking for hotel interview questions, you have come to the right place.

We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

However, with a small amount of preparation, you can ace the interview.

Here we will discuss common hotel job interview questions and answers.

Hotel Interview Questions and Answers

Can you tell us about yourself?

• It’s okay to discuss your hobbies and interests; but, keep it brief. Try to focus on relevant work experience. Remember that having relevant work experience will put you ahead of the competition.

Why should we hire you?

• Look at the job description and find the key skills and experience required to do the job. Reassure the interviewer that you have the skills and experience required to do the position. Note your answer needs to show that you are the solution to the employer’s problem (a vacancy on their team) and that you are the best person for the role.

Why do you want to work here?

Possible Answers are

• If your goal is to work in the hospitality industry, state how working here will benefit your career objectives. For example, if your career goal is to become a hotel manager and you are interviewing for a front desk position, state that you can learn a lot about the hospitality business by working at the front desk.
• State why you feel this hotel or hotel chain is better than its competitors.
• If you are interviewing for a role that is customer-facing, state that you feel you have great communication skills, which will allow you to work well with the customers and other team members.
• Mention you would like a job that keeps you active.

What hours can you work?

• The more flexible you are with your hours, the better your chance of getting hired, so be flexible!
• Let the interviewer know if you can work on weekends and holidays.

What is your greatest strength?

• The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that directly correlate with the job you are applying for. With this in mind, review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.

What is your greatest weakness?

Company Information

What can you tell us about this hotel?

• Try to learn as much about the hotel as possible and why you want to work there.
• Have a look at the positive customer reviews about the hotel
• Have a look at the hotel’s competitors and figure out why it is better than other hotels in the area.

Hotel Interview Questions Front Desk

What interests you about working at the front desk of a hotel?

• Say that you are genuinely excited about the prospect of working at the front desk of a hotel because it gives you the opportunity to meet with a diverse range of people. Mention you will thoroughly enjoy providing exceptional customer service and being able to assist guests in creating a memorable experience during their stay.
• Mention you are drawn to the fast-paced nature of the front desk role and thrive in environments that require quick thinking, problem-solving, and multitasking.
• State by managing check-ins, check-outs, inquiries, and various guest requests will keep you engaged and motivated. It presents an opportunity for you to utilize your organizational skills and attention to detail while maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor.

How would you define excellent customer service?

• The customer is not waiting long to check in or check out.
• Customers are greeted in a friendly manner and receive friendly service.
• The hotel is clean both inside and outside.
• Any special requests are taken into account and ready for when the customer arrives.

How would you deal with a difficult customer?

1. Listen and let the customer vent.
2. Show the customer you care.
3. Don’t blame the customer or the company.
4. Try to solve the problem or find someone who can.
5. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
6. Finally, it is important not to take it personally.  If you get upset you will take it on future customers.

How well do you work under pressure?

• State you work well under pressure and enjoy will enjoy the challenge. Mention you enjoy a job that keeps you active.

Why should I hire you?

• Have a second read of the job description and find the skills and experience required for the position.
• Next, match the skills required for the job to your skill set.
• Finally, reassure the interviewer you have the right skills.

What steps would you take to ensure guest satisfaction during check-in and check-out?

• State you would prioritize making guests feel welcome and valued from the moment they arrive. Mention you would greet them with a warm smile and a friendly attitude, ensuring they feel comfortable and attended to.
• During the check-in process, state you would focus on being efficient while maintaining a personalized touch. Say that you would confirm their reservation details, answer any questions they may have about the hotel or local area, and provide relevant information such as Wi-Fi access codes, breakfast timings, and amenities available to them.
• During the check-out process, say you would inquire about their overall experience, addressing any concerns or issues they may have encountered during their stay. If any problems arise, state you would take immediate action to resolve them or involve the relevant hotel staff to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

How comfortable are you with using hotel management software?

• State you would have no issue using hotel management software and are a quick learner.

How would you handle a situation where a guest’s reservation was lost or double-booked?

• If the reservation was lost or not properly recorded, state you would take immediate steps to fix the situation. This may involve checking for alternative available rooms within the hotel or finding suitable accommodations at a nearby partner property if necessary. Mention you would communicate the available options clearly to the guest and provide them with choices to accommodate their needs.

Hotel Management Interview Questions

Can you describe your previous experience as a hotel manager?

• Describe any hotel management experience you have that is relevant to this position. Specifically, how have you planned operations, managed and monitored hotel expenses, tracked hotel inventory, marketed your hotel, maintained relationships with guests, hired and onboarded new hotel staff, evaluated staff performance, and managed schedules and shifts?

What strategies do you employ to maximize occupancy rates and profit?

• Mention one strategy you employ is to conduct regular market analysis to identify demand trends and adjust the pricing accordingly. By closely monitoring market conditions, you can make informed decisions on room rates and packages to attract guests while maintaining profitability.
• State you develop targeted marketing campaigns to reach potential guests through various channels, including online platforms, social media, and partnerships with local businesses. This helps to increase brand visibility and attract a wider audience.
• Say that you actively engage with guests through guest feedback programs, loyalty programs, and personalized communication to encourage repeat visits and referrals.

Why should we hire you as our hotel manager?

• Again have a second read of the job description and find the skills and experience to be a hotel manager. Match the skills and experience required to your own.

How do you motivate others?

• Always take the time to praise the staff on a job well done. State you celebrate success as a team but recognize each person’s contribution. 
• When possible I start a competition amongst the teams. For example, I would reward a staff member who finished their tasks the most times in a given month.

What hours can you work?

• Not all management positions are 9 to 5 so it is in your best interest to be flexible with your hours.

Can you tell us about a time you managed change? 

• Review your resume and try to think of a time you successfully managed change. Perhaps there was a new reservation system and you successfully trained your staff well ahead of time to make sure they were ready for this change.

5 Star Hotel Interview Questions and Answers

Can you tell us about your previous experience in the hospitality industry, specifically in luxury hotels?

• Tell the interviewer if you have worked in a luxury hotel before. If you haven’t worked in a luxury hotel before, don’t worry as they have already reviewed your resume and they are willing to interview you.

In a five-star hotel context, how do you provide excellent service to every guest?

• Personalized care, attention to detail, anticipating guest needs, and effective communication are the key elements of providing excellent service in a five-star hotel environment. Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, actively listening, and going the extra mile to exceed expectations will ensure that every guest has a truly exceptional experience.

How do you deal with tough situations or guests who are hard to please? Can you share a specific example?

Sample Answer

In my previous job, I worked at a popular hotel chain. While reading online reviews, I came across a customer’s feedback stating that the attention to detail was lacking and the customer service was indifferent compared to the hotel chain’s standards; intrigued by the comment, I reached out to the customer to gain more in-depth insights into the issues they experienced.

During our conversation, the customer provided valuable feedback, and I assured her that I would address these concerns. To make amends, I offered her a premier suite at a discounted rate for her next visit to town. To my delight, she accepted the offer, and I made sure to check in on her during her stay to ensure everything was going smoothly.

I’m pleased to share that she left our hotel highly satisfied and even revised her review, upgrading it to a five-star rating. This positive turnaround demonstrates the effectiveness of addressing customer concerns promptly and taking proactive measures to improve their experience.

Attention to detail is vital in a five-star hotel. How do you prove your ability to uphold high standards and notice the smallest details?

• State you have great attention to detail and always follow the guidelines provided by the management. However, to uphold high standards, there must be a constant audit to ensure this quality is followed and one must be open to looking for ways to improve.

In what ways do you remain informed of the current trends and best practices in the industry of upscale hospitality?

• My approach to staying informed on the current trends and best practices in upscale hospitality involves a combination of professional development programs, industry publications, networking, online research, and internal collaboration. By continuously investing in my learning and staying informed, I can provide the highest level of service to our guests and contribute to the overall success of the hotel.

How should I prepare for a hotel interview?

• Learn as much as you can about the company and ask yourself why you want to work there.  Why would you work here than at any other hotel?
• Review potential interview questions and think about how you will answer them from your personal experience.  
• Think about where you see yourself in the future.  Hotels will prefer to hire people whose career goals align with the hospitality industry.  Perhaps you want to get into hotel management?  
• Make sure you know where you are going and how long it takes to get there. Go online and work out the easiest way to get there, then be sure to add on extra time so you are on time. The last thing you want is to arrive late.

See Also

• 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions (affiliate)
• The Interview Checklist
• General Interview Q&A
• The Behavioral Interview
• Interview Tips
• Search for Jobs