Creating a Warm and Welcoming Front Office: Tips for Building a Guest-Friendly Environment

The front office of a hotel or other hospitality business is often the first point of contact between guests and the establishment. It is essential to make a positive first impression by creating a friendly and a welcoming environment that puts guests at ease. In a recent survey done, about 95% of hospitality industries employ smiling and friendly receptionist in their front office department. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and strategies for creating a warm and inviting front office that guests will remember.

1.Train Your Staff on Hospitality:

A friendly front office starts with friendly staff. Train your receptionists to be personable, empathetic and attentive to guests’ needs. Encourage them to use guests’ names, maintain eye contact and engage in small talk to create a friendly atmosphere. This kind of impression makes the guests happy and a bit comfortable and they feel welcomed. The organization can also encourage the staff to read more on four creative ideas of delivering exceptional customer care in order to offer credible services.

2.Create a Comfortable Space:

Make sure your front office is well-lit, clean and organized. Consider adding comfortable seating, fresh flowers or other small touches to create a cozy atmosphere. Make sure guests have access to water, coffee, internet or other refreshments while they wait. This kind of hospitality will give the guests a friendly environment making them comfortable such that they would want to spend more days than their usual plan.

3.Use Technology to Streamline Check-In:

Waiting in line to check-in can be a frustrating experience for guests. Consider using self-check-in kiosks or mobile check-in options to streamline the process and reduce commotions. This not only improves the guest experience but also allows your front desk staff to focus on personal interactions with guests. Encouraging the staff to read more advantages of computer networking and the importance of using email as mode of communication will make the work easier. Using technology check in also help in avoiding time wastage.

4.Personalize the Guest Experience:

Collect guest information during the check-in process and use it to personalize the guest experience. For example, if a guest mentions they are celebrating a special occasion, offer them a complimentary upgrade or a small gift to make their stay more memorable. For birthdays offer them a piece of cake and this will make them happy and they will always come back. If there are other facilities offered the guests can get recommended and see if they would consider. Such facilities as gym, spa, massage services and also if there is some more beverages the guest could use.

5.Follow Up After Check-In:

After guests check-in, follow up with a phone call or email to ensure their stay is going well. If they want to order something send someone immediately. This not only shows that you care about their experience but also provides an opportunity to address any issues if any before they become larger problems.

In Finstock Evarsity College, we offer courses in hospitality industry such as;