Restaurant Receptionist

Job Description

At Josephine, the guest experience begins before the first dish reaches the table.

We're looking for an elegant, warm and confident Restaurant Receptionist (Hostess) who will be the first and last point of contact for our guests. You will set the tone for the Josephine experience from the moment a reservation is made until the guest leaves the restaurant.

What You'll Do

• Welcome every guest warmly and create an immediate sense of recognition and hospitality.
• Manage restaurant reservations, enquiries, confirmations and special requests accurately and professionally.
• Maintain an organised and effective seating plan to maximise restaurant capacity while protecting the guest experience.
• Coordinate closely with restaurant management and the service team regarding table availability, guest preferences and expected arrivals.
• Manage waiting guests professionally during peak periods and provide realistic updates regarding table availability.
• Maintain accurate guest profiles, preferences and reservation notes within the restaurant reservation system.
• Recognise returning guests, VIPs and special occasions and communicate relevant information to the operational team.
• Handle telephone, email and online enquiries with professionalism and confidence.
• Provide guests with accurate information regarding menus, operating hours, dress codes, events and restaurant experiences.
• Escort guests to their tables and ensure a smooth handover to the service team.
• Support guest relationship and database-building initiatives.
• Maintain an immaculate reception and entrance area.
• Assist with guest feedback and ensure concerns are communicated quickly to restaurant management.

Who You Are

• Warm, polished and naturally confident when interacting with guests.
• Highly organised and comfortable managing multiple reservations and priorities simultaneously.
• Someone who remembers faces, names and preferences.
• Calm and composed during busy periods.
• An excellent communicator with strong telephone and written etiquette.
• Detail-oriented with an understanding of premium restaurant service.
• Able to balance commercial table management with genuine hospitality.
• Someone who understands that a guest's first impression can define their entire experience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Restaurant Hostess, Receptionist or Guest Relations professional within a premium restaurant, luxury hotel, beach club or lifestyle hospitality concept.
• Experience with restaurant reservation systems such as SevenRooms, OpenTable or similar platforms is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent grooming and professional presentation.
• Fluency in English is essential.
• Additional languages, particularly Russian, Arabic, French, or Turkish languages, are an advantage.
• Previous experience within the UAE luxury dining market is desirable.

Additional Information

At Josephine, you'll be much more than the person managing the door or reservations. You'll be the beginning of every guest's experience and an important part of building the restaurant's personality and loyal following.

Rixos Hotels & Resorts is committed to Talent, Growth and Value Creation. We understand that these objectives cannot be achieved without great people who create and support work environments designed to produce exceptional results. While we have great expectations of you, we are aware that you, in turn, will have expectations of our company as an employer. This is our commitment to you. Welcome aboard!