Hostess (Montreux Jazz Café/ Petit Palais Terrace) (M/F/X) - Permanent/Fixed-term

About the job

Company Description

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva and facing the magnificent view of the Alps, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace hotel is a distinguished establishment, a member of the Accor group, the Fairmont brand, and affiliated with Swiss Deluxe Hotels. Boasting an unparalleled worldwide reputation characterised by 236 luxurious rooms and suites and a most refined gastronomic experience, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace hotel is truly an enchanting place. Its six restaurants and bars offer a wide selection of delights sure to satisfy the most discerning palates. The Montreux Jazz Café is the must-visit spot to feel the rhythm of the Festival 365 days a year in the magical setting of the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, the MP’s Bar & Grill is a high-end restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere specialising in grills unmatched in the region, and the Funky Claude’s Bar is the undisputed place to land late into the night to enjoy an incredible line-up of traditional and exclusive cocktails to the beat of the best live scene in town. Fairmont Le Montreux Palace also specialises in hosting congresses, meetings, and seminars. The Fairmont Spa is a 2000 m² wellness area dedicated to fitness, relaxation, and beauty.

Job Description

The host(ess) is the ambassador of the quality of service and refined cuisine characteristic of Fairmont Hotels. By offering a warm and attentive welcome, the host(ess) will make a favourable first impression on the guests of our bars and restaurants, where they will feel welcome and appreciated.

Endowed with an innate sense of service, smiling and enjoying teamwork, you are passionate about quality service and customer satisfaction. At the Petit Palais Terrace or the Montreux Jazz Café, our team will do everything possible to ensure you thrive during this season!

We are looking for talents who share our values; if the notions of pleasure, professionalism, and personalisation speak to you, then apply!

Summary of responsibilities:

Reporting to the Supervisor of the Montreux Jazz Café or the Petit Palais Terrace, the responsibilities and essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Consistently provide professional, friendly, and engaging service
• Welcome guests at the Montreux Jazz Café or the Petit Palais Terrace with a smile, a welcoming word, and seat them at tables ensuring immediate follow-up by a Chef de Rang
• Provide the names of guests to the Chef de Rang
• Give the name of the Chef de Rang to guests to personalise the service
• Ensure optimal customer satisfaction by providing the most courteous service
• Answer the phone with a smile in your voice and take reservations
• Advise guests on the food and drink menu
• Know the ingredients of each dish to properly inform guests
• Check reservations in "La Fourchette" and the reservation book
• Check the VIP and repeat guest lists
• Check all "Group Resume" as well as the "Daily Activities"
• Know the table numbers and the floor plan
• Collect as many contact details (address, phone, email...) from guests to subsequently send them various promotions or special events
• Collect all special preferences of guests to keep their profiles updated and share this information with colleagues
• Collect information about guests' intolerances and allergies and ensure sharing with colleagues while maintaining confidentiality and discretion
• Maximise current and future reservations
• Perform certain administrative tasks for the restaurant
• Be informed of everything happening in the Palace to inform guests
• Understand the tasks of the service brigade in your point of sale
• Understand and perform the tasks of servers
• Participate in service during busy periods
• Understand end-of-day reports and the point of sale system
• Know all the dishes on the menu, their garnishes, contents, and preparation methods
• Check the cleanliness of menus, wine lists, and bill holders
• Check the cleanliness of the restaurant and the good condition of the dining room
• Ensure the necessary equipment is available at the reception desk
• Know all the dishes on the Montreux Jazz Café or Petit Palais Terrace menu, their garnishes, contents, and preparation methods
• Be responsible for organising the coat check deposit and retrieval
• Collect customer comment cards and forward them to the manager
• Know the concept of the MJC and the Petit Palais Terrace (History, Festival history, founder)
• Commit to the quality of your service, discretion, and perfect honesty
• Maintain a professional attitude, be smiling, and remain calm at all times
• Be flexible and cooperative, especially if required to work in another department occasionally
• Respect ergonomic work standards, health & safety rules, hygiene, and sanitary prescriptions
• Respect the policies, procedures, and service standards of the department and company
• All other tasks as assigned

Qualifications

• Previous experience of 2 years in service
• Fluency in French and English
• Customer complaint management skills
• Knowledge of German is an asset
• Previous experience with a point of sale system (POS) is an asset
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Particularly responsible and reliable
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to focus on customer needs while remaining calm and courteous at all times
• Previous experience in a 4* or 5* hotel is an asset

Physical requirements of the position:

The physical requirements of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Constant: standing and walking throughout the work period
• Occasional: lifting and carrying loads up to 10 kg
• Occasional: kneeling, pushing, pulling
• Occasional: climbing up or down ladders, stairs, and ramps

Additional Information

VISA REQUIREMENTS

To work in Switzerland, the candidate must possess a Swiss work permit or be from an EU-17 or EU-8 European country.

Please note that only applications submitted through our recruitment site  https://careers.accor.com/fr/fr  will be considered.

BENEFITS

• Accommodation possibility subject to availability
• 1 meal per working day (benefit in kind)
• Discounts in various local businesses
• Preferential rates within the Accor Group, at our points of sale, and in the Swiss Deluxe Hotels portfolio
• Join us and discover all our other benefits…

Additional Information

Our values

Respect:
We value the needs, ideas, and individuality of others. We treat everyone with fairness and dignity.

Belonging:
We celebrate our differences. We support each other and are always united.​

Integrity:
We build trust through mutual respect and authenticity.​

Empowerment:
We have the power to take initiative and anticipate moments that create unforgettable experiences. ​

Excellence:
We build authentic connections and cherish every opportunity to make those around us feel special.​

Diversity and Inclusion

Fairmont is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse talents thrive. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join our team.

Employee Benefits:
Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive benefits for your colleagues, including free upgrades, extended stays, discounted stays at Fairmont and Raffles properties, special discounts on dining and wellness, as well as additional luxuries to enhance your experience. We believe it is important to take care of our team, ensuring your hard work is rewarded with exceptional benefits.