Working in Hospitality | Meet Maria, Our Senior Receptionist at Balmer Lawn Hotel
At Balmer Lawn Hotel, we are incredibly proud of all of our staff and their dedication to working in hospitality.
Read on to discover the story of our talented senior receptionist, Maria.
Working in Hospitality | Meet Maria
A valued member of our Balmer Lawn Hotel team since 2011, Maria worked her way through the hospitality industry, learning key skills that enable her to “ensure that all reception duties are carried out effectively and support the reception manager in his everyday decisions.”
In terms of her experience working in hospitality, Maria states that “the most enjoyable part of my job is working with people, both our guests and the Balmer Lawn Hotel team.
Every employee brings an amazing atmosphere, we really are the Balmer Lawn Hotel family and are looking after each other. Many of us have been working at the hotel for years and I have made friends for life.”
The Role and Journey of a Senior Receptionist
Maria is an integral part of our team at Balmer Lawn Hotel. From answering phone calls and checking in guests to sharing her vast knowledge of the local area and attractions, she makes working in hospitality look easy as she ensures Balmer Lawn Hotel runs smoothly.
Maria’s experience in hospitality is well demonstrated due to her previous roles where she “worked in different departments starting in housekeeping, moving to food & beverage, bar, events and then reception. I’ve learned so much about the industry and have grown as a person.”
Working in Hospitality | Interest and Qualifications
When choosing a career in hospitality, a keen interest in the business is extremely important. Looking back at her discovery of Balmer Lawn Hotel, Maria said:
“Before I joined, I heard great things about the hotel from a recommendation, from the fabulous location in the heart of New Forest National Park, to the great history of the hotel. The amazing managers/owners look after their staff and always give them an opportunity to improve, supporting them when needed.”
At Balmer Lawn Hotel, we support the learning of our employees, encouraging them to further their hospitality knowledge. Maria gives a brilliant example of this: “I gained a lot of experience, courses and training in different departments through the years. Recently, I had revenue training and Front of House Supervisor Level 3. The course took longer than planned but I have achieved a distinction grade, which gives me a wider picture and more confidence.”
Why Balmer Lawn Hotel?
When speaking to Maria, we had to find out what her opinions are regarding working in hospitality at Balmer Lawn Hotel. When considering the future of her career and why she chose to join us, Maria said: “Balmer Lawn Hotel is a family owned hotel. You’re a person and not a number. There are no barriers between management and staff, everyone is friendly and helpful.”
Working in Hospitality | Future Plans and Advice
As with many jobs, when working in hospitality, it is important to recognise your long term goals and know what you want to achieve in the future.
When speaking to Maria about this topic, she told us: “This year I’m looking towards a promotion to Head of Reception and working closer with management.”
However, working in hospitality is not without its challenges, needing dedication and hard work to reach your goals. As Maria puts it, “...this is a busy environment; if you enjoy working closely with people, having good communication skills and looking to improve yourself, join our team!’
If working in hospitality sounds like a good fit for you and you’re interested in following Maria’s advice, take a look at our current vacancies!
Alternatively, take a look at our previous blog to read about Jade-Lee’s Balmer Lawn Hotel journey.
