Boutique Hotel Host / Front Desk Coordinator (Knysna)
Applying opens WhatsApp with your message ready to send — our assistant takes it from there, in your preferred language.
About the role
Location: Knysna, Western Cape
Position: Full-time
Primary Shift: Out of Season 14:00 - 21:00/ In-Season 15:00 - 22:00
Salary: R15,000–R20,000 per month, depending on experience and ability
About the Role
We’re looking for someone who is much more than a traditional receptionist.
Our client is a stylish boutique hotel in Knysna looking for a warm, charismatic and naturally engaging host who can take ownership of the guest experience from the moment a reservation is made through to check-out.
You’ll handle the usual front desk and reservations responsibilities, but your real strength will be people.
We’re looking for someone who genuinely loves interacting with guests — someone who can make people feel at home, strike up a great conversation, tell a good story, recommend a favourite local restaurant or experience, and instinctively pick up on what a guest might enjoy.
You should have a personality that fills a room without taking it over. You’re warm, bubbly, confident and naturally curious about people. You may be a little theatrical, a great storyteller, or simply someone who has a knack for making people feel comfortable within minutes of meeting them.
Key Responsibilities
Welcome guests warmly and create a memorable first impression
Manage guest check-ins and check-outs
Handle reservations, bookings, enquiries and guest correspondence
Assist with general front desk and reception duties
Build genuine relationships with guests and make their stay feel personal rather than transactional
Engage naturally with guests and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
Recommend restaurants, activities, experiences and local hidden gems
Help guests make the most of their time in Knysna and the surrounding area
Anticipate guest needs and look for opportunities to enhance their experience
Handle guest requests and queries with warmth, confidence and professionalism
Keep up to date with hotel offerings, local experiences and things happening in the area
Build relationships with returning guests
Assist with representing the personality and experience of the hotel through social media and other guest-facing content
Work closely with the wider hotel team to ensure a seamless guest experience
Maintain a professional, organised and welcoming front desk at all times
Requirements
Previous experience in hospitality, hotel reception, guest relations, hosting, tourism or another high-touch customer-facing environment
A genuine passion for people, hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences
Strong communication skills and a naturally warm, confident and engaging personality
Comfortable working with online systems, booking platforms and general computer applications
Good administrative and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail
Experience using hotel reservation, booking or property management systems would be highly advantageous
Previous hotel or tourism experience would be preferable
Comfortable handling reservations, guest enquiries, check-ins, check-outs and general front desk responsibilities
Confident communicating with guests via email, telephone, WhatsApp and other digital channels
Comfortable learning new technology and systems quickly
Good knowledge of Knysna and the Garden Route would be advantageous
Comfortable using social media and representing the personality of the hotel online
Able to work primarily afternoon/evening shifts, including weekends and public holidays when required
Reliable, well-presented and professional, while still being relaxed, personable and authentic
Must be legally authorised to work in South Africa. Proof of eligibility to work will be required.
Personality & Hosting Fit
Above all, we are looking for someone who is naturally good with people.
You should be the type of person who enjoys meeting strangers, starts conversations easily and genuinely wants to know more about the people staying with you.
You should have the confidence to make recommendations, tell a story, inject some personality into an interaction and make a guest feel like they have been personally welcomed rather than simply checked in.
We’re looking for someone who is:
Extraverted and charismatic
Warm, bubbly and approachable
Naturally caring and attentive
A great conversationalist and storyteller
Comfortable taking the initiative
Intuitive and observant — someone who notices the little things
Confident enough to make recommendations and engage with guests
Naturally curious about people
Energetic and enthusiastic about hospitality
Comfortable being visible and expressive on social media
Someone who will genuinely invest in the hotel, its guests and the team
A positive team player who is happy to get involved and become part of the hotel culture
Experience
Previous experience in hotel reception, reservations, guest relations, hospitality, tourism or a similar customer-facing environment is preferred.
Experience with hotel reservation or property management systems will be an advantage.
That said, personality and hosting ability are incredibly important for this role. We would consider someone from a strong hospitality, tourism, restaurant, events or premium customer-service background who has the right natural ability with people and the desire to grow within a boutique hotel environment.
What Success Looks Like
A guest shouldn't leave thinking:
“The receptionist was efficient.”
We want them leaving thinking:
“What a lovely person. They made us feel so welcome.”
The successful candidate will become an important part of the hotel's personality — someone guests remember, connect with and want to see again.
Salary
R15,000–R20,000 per month, depending on experience and ability.
How to Apply
If you’re someone who genuinely loves people, thrives on interaction and knows how to make others feel at home, we’d love to hear from you.
Email your CV to: info@opusrecruiter.com
WhatsApp: +27 76 989 5083
Requirements
Previous experience in hospitality, hotel reception, guest relations, hosting, tourism or another high-touch customer-facing environment
A genuine passion for people, hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences
Strong communication skills and a naturally warm, confident and engaging personality
Comfortable working with online systems, booking platforms and general computer applications
Good administrative and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail
Comfortable using social media and representing the personality of the hotel online
Able to work primarily afternoon/evening shifts, including weekends and public holidays when required
Reliable, well-presented and professional, while still being relaxed, personable and authentic
Must be legally authorised to work in South Africa. Proof of eligibility to work will be required.