All careers

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

Accommodate hotel, motel, and resort patrons by registering and assigning rooms to guests, issuing room keys or cards, transmitting and receiving messages, keeping records of occupied rooms and guests' accounts, making and confirming reservations, and presenting statements to and collecting payments from departing guests.

What you’d do

  • Make and confirm reservations.
  • Greet, register, and assign rooms to guests of hotels or motels.
  • Verify customers' credit, and establish how the customer will pay for the accommodation.
  • Post charges, such as those for rooms, food, liquor, or telephone calls, to ledgers, manually or by using computers.
  • Issue room keys and escort instructions to bellhops.
  • Advise housekeeping staff when rooms have been vacated and are ready for cleaning.
  • Transmit and receive messages, using telephones or telephone switchboards.
  • Record guest comments or complaints, referring customers to managers as necessary.

Skills that matter

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Complex Problem Solving

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Front Desk Agent
  • Front Desk Clerk
  • Guest Service Representative (GSR)
  • Guest Services Agent (GSA)
  • Desk Clerk
  • Front Desk Associate

Related careers

See all careers

  • Lodging Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Concierges

    Assist patrons at hotel, apartment, or office building with personal services.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Receptionists and Information Clerks

    • Bright Outlook
    • Numerous Job Openings

    Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities…

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Provide personal items to patrons or customers in locker rooms, dressing rooms, or coatrooms.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Counter and Rental Clerks

    Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Baggage Porters and Bellhops

    Handle baggage for travelers at transportation terminals or for guests at hotels or similar establishments.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one