Front Desk Agent

About Us

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and one of the world’s leading hotel and resort companies with a family of 21 brands. Our purpose – True Hospitality for Good – comes to life in every one of our collections. With luxury and lifestyle, we are taking it to new heights.

Having recently added a host of incredible properties to our portfolio, we now stand as one of the world’s leading luxury operators. Each of our hotels cultivates a distinctive style and ambience where we embrace every opportunity to give our guests unforgettable and unparalleled experiences.

About the hotel

Alexandria’s premier waterfront hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of Old Town, the Hotel Indigo Alexandria is immersed in the charm of America’s historic district, featuring cobblestone streets, historic townhouses, and a vibrant waterfront just a stone's throw from our front door. Located just 10 minutes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), our hotel offers easy access to King Street’s 200+ restaurants, shops, bars, and nightlife and George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate and numerous museums and art galleries plus proximity to all the attractions Washington, DC, has to offer, just across the river. Our on-site restaurant, the Hummingbird Bar & Kitchen, offers sea-to-table cuisine with stunning views of the Potomac River.

About the Front Desk Agent position

The moment a guest steps into one of our hotels, they walk into a genuinely memorable experience. As a Front Desk Agent, you’ll not only be the person they rely on to handle transactions, offer local insights and anticipate every detail of a friction-free experience. You’ll also create the warm atmosphere that makes our guests feel at home in any location. 

Key Accountabilities

• Be the warm welcome that kicks off a memorable guest experience. 
• Acknowledge IHG Rewards Club members and returning guests, in person or on the phone 
• Take and manage guest bookings, up-selling opportunities and telling them about ways to improve their stay. 
• Handle cash and credit transactions. 
• Start every stay right by swiftly checking guests in and out - take IDs, hand out room keys, and control and release safety deposit boxes. 
• Stay one step ahead of guests’ needs – record and act on their preferences, and handle their messages, requests, questions and concerns.
• Be a trusted contact for all guests. Help them with anything from bill issues to local knowledge, and loop in management when necessary. 
• Stay safe all the time. Following our safety procedures, you’ll report all incidents and wear any protective gear needed. 
• Take pride in your appearance and place as a brand ambassador. 
• Always know what events and activities are on the day’s schedule. 

• Jump into other ad-hoc duties when your colleagues need your help.

Key Skills & Experiences

• Communication skills - guests will need to come to you with concerns as well as compliments, so you’ll be easy to talk to. 
• Your problem-solving skills will turn issues into opportunities so every guest leaves with great memories. 
• Fluency in the local language - extra language skills would be great, but not essential. 
• Literate and tech-savvy - you’ll need a good grasp of reading, writing, basic maths and computers
• Flexibility - night, weekend and holiday shifts are all part of the job. 
• You’ll have a high school diploma or qualification. A college or university degree would be a bonus, but not essential. 
• Experience - ideally you’ll have spent at least one year in a front desk or guest service position. 
• Strength - sometimes you’ll need to lift, push and pull big objects up to 50lbs (23 kg). This can involve bending and kneeling.

What you can expect from us

We give our people everything they need to succeed. From a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including a full uniform, impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business. 

The hourly pay rate for this role is $19.50. This rate is only applicable for jobs to be performed in Alexandria, VA. This is the starting rate we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may pay more or less than the posted rate, and the rate may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. 

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401k, and many other benefits to eligible employees.
You can apply for this role through the link below (or through the internal career site if you are a current employee). 

Note: No amount of pay is considered wages or compensation until earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance by always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts gives every member of the team the room they need to belong, grow and make a difference in a collaborative environment. We know that to work well, we need to feel well – both inside and outside of work – and through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace.  So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.

Hiring Salary: USD 19.50 - 19.50