What Are the Main Types of Hotel Managers?

To become a hotel manager, you should have effective leadership, organisational, and customer service skills. Hotel managers are responsible for running a hotel on a day-to-day basis. They are there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the guests have a good time. Hotel management is a very broad discipline, with many specialisations depending on the size and type of the hotel.

Here are two of these specialisations:

• General Hotel Manager: The General Manager is responsible for every aspect of the hotel business, from running guest services to staffing, financial planning, and keeping the hotel on track to meet its profitability targets. This manager handles every aspect of the guest experience and makes all executive decisions.
• Operations Manager: An ops manager is concerned with the continuous smoothness of day-to-day operations and monitors the overall functioning of each hotel’s departments, from housekeeping to maintenance to the front desk.
• Front Office Manager: This is the head of the front office staff, who works in the reception area and focuses on guest check-in and check-out, reservations, and staffing at the front desk. This person is the face of the company.
• Food and Beverage Manager: This manager oversees the food and beverage operations in the hotel, bars, room service, and catering departments to ensure that the food service is running smoothly and that guests enjoy their dining experience.
• Revenue Manager: Revenue managers are responsible for maximising the profitability of a hotel by setting prices, booking policies and occupancy strategies. Revenue managers analyse demand trends and competitors’ pricing to ensure the hotel makes as much money as possible.
• Sales and Marketing Manager: This person is responsible for promoting the hotel to prospects such as guests, tour operators, and corporate clients. They plan the marketing strategies, advertising, and deals with travel agencies to ensure bookings for the hotel.
• Housekeeping Manager: Maintaining the cleanliness and appearance of the hotel rooms and public areas is the job of the housekeeping manager, who oversees cleaning staff, laundry services and ensuring guest rooms are in good working order.

What Does a Hotel Manager Do?

A hotel manager is responsible for ensuring the hotel runs properly, manages the staff, and ensures the guests enjoy their stay. The tasks vary depending on the size and type of the hotel, but here’s how a hotel manager’s duties are usually carried out:

• Manage The Hotel: A hotel manager is a leader who is responsible for the entire operation of the hotel, from the lobby or front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage services, maintenance, banquet rooms, and more. They ensure that all departments work together to achieve an organisation’s goals.
• Ensure Guest Satisfaction: hotel managers are expected to ensure guests are happy. Part of their responsibilities include resolving complaints and issues guests may have, as well as ensuring that all services meet the standards set by the hotel.
• Staff Management: Hotel managers hire, train, and supervise staff. They ensure employees know their jobs and what is expected of them. Furthermore, managers ensure that the employees give guests the best possible service. They also oversee staff scheduling and staffing problems.
• Financial Management: Manage the hotel’s finances, including budgeting, controlling expenses, and profit and loss management for the hotel. Make sure the hotel meets its revenue targets while maintaining top service standards.
• Develop Business Strategies: Besides focusing on customer service, hotel managers must constantly work with the sales and marketing departments to develop strategies to attract guests and increase bookings. This might include offering special packages, running events in the hotel, or even reducing room rates depending on the season.
• Maintain Hotel Standards: Ensuring guests feel comfortable and safe is a big part of the job. Hotel managers should inspect the hotel to ensure it is clean and secure and provides excellent customer service.
• Liaise with Suppliers: The hotel manager also works with the hotel to ensure that the hotel is well-stocked with items such as linen, toiletries, food and beverages. He also keeps a close eye on the maintenance and repair work that must be done to keep the hotel in good order.

Average Hotel Manager Salary

The average salary for hotel managers in the UK depends on the type and size of the hotel, as well as the manager’s level of experience. Larger and luxury hotels will normally offer the highest salaries, whereas smaller hotels or budget. The following graph outlines typical earnings for those managing hotels in the UK.

• Entry Manager: An entry-level hotel manager (in a small hotel or budget chain) usually earns between £22,000 and £30,000 per year.
• Experienced Hotel Manager: Experienced hotelized hotels and experienced hotel managers can earn between £30,000 and £45,000 per year.
• Luxury Hotel Manager: Lux hotel managers or managers of large chains can range from £50,000 to £100,000 per year, depending on whether the hotel is in a large city or a more rural area. Luxury hotel managers can also receive bonus payments in addition to their salary, which are tied to the hotel’s financial performance.

Hotel Manager Skills

To become a hotel manager, you should have effective leadership, organisational, and customer service skills. The hotel manager is responsible for various activities, from financial management to staff management, while providing guests with good services. The central skills that you need to make a successful career as a hotel manager are listed below:

• Leadership skills: Leading a large, broad-based team is a crucial requirement for the position of a hotel manager. Apart from leading employees from different cultures and backgrounds, the manager should also be able to motivate them. The ability to maintain staff morale is essential to be able to provide the best possible service to guests.
• Customer service skills: Hotel managers must ensure guests’ stay is as pleasant as possible. This can only be done with excellent customer service skills, such as handling complaints and dealing with them effectively to ensure that the guest is satisfied.
• Organisational skills: To manage a hotel, one must keep track of multiple departments, staff and operations simultaneously. To keep a hotel running efficiently, the manager has to be highly organised.
• Financial Management: Hotel managers need excellent financial abilities in budgeting, expense control, and maximising profits. Hotel managers must analyse financial reports, adjust strategies to meet revenue targets and manage the hotel’s economic performance.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Hotel managers will often need to solve problems of a sudden nature, such as guest complaints, staffing issues, or problems with the facility. They need to think on their toes and solve problems while not disturbing guests.
• Sales and Marketing Skills: Many hotel managers aid with sales and marketing to develop guests and bookings. This includes the production of promotional strategies, the management of tour operators, and the promotion of the hotel.
• Awareness of detail: All aspects of the accommodation, from the car park to the cleanliness of the rooms and the level of guest services, must be of a high standard. Awareness of detail is a virtue but also a job requirement for a hotel manager.

Hotel Manager Tips

For any budding hotel manager, here are some practical tips to help you create a successful career path for yourself:

• Get Some Hospitality Experience: Before taking on an executive role such as a hotel manager, gain experience in the industry at entry level. Work in the hotel front office, in housekeeping, or in service. This will give you an understanding of how each department works and allow you to develop good service skills.
• Improve Leadership: Managing a hotel requires good leadership skills. Any opportunity to lead a team or project is a good way to improve your leadership skills. You can also look at taking leadership or management courses.
• Keep up with industry trends: The hospitality industry constantly changes. From new guest services and technologies to the growing trend of green travel, hospitality employees must stay current. Keep an eye on the latest developments in the hospitality industry by meeting with others, attending conferences, and reading hospitality publications.
• Focus on Guest Satisfaction: You should always think about the guest. Whether you are dealing with customer complaints or supervising the day-to-day running of the hotel, the guest experience should be the driving force behind everything you do as a hotel.
• Learn About Financial Management: Hotel finances are a major aspect of the job. Learn everything you can about budgeting, revenue management, and financial reporting. You will use all three of these skills on an almost daily basis.

Hotel Manager Requirements

It would help to become a hotel manager if you had education, experience, and hospitality management skills. There is no one way to become a hotel manager, but here are some of the most common requirements:

• Degree (Hospitality or Business): Hotel managers usually have a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, hotel management, or business administration. Such programmes cover the main areas of hotel operations, financial management, marketing, and guest services.
• Work Experience in Hospitality: Undoubtedly, experience in the hospitality industry is vital. As a rule, hotel managers start their career from an entry-level position, be it an or a housekeeper, and later develop their career to a managerial level.
• Management Training: Some hotel chains have management training programmes for employees who show the potential to become managers. These programmes provide training and education to employees to help them learn how to manage a hotel.
• Certifications: While not necessarily mandatory, certifications such as Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Management or Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Hospitality and Tourism can be helpful for career development.

How to Become a Hotel Manager

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a hotel manager in the UK:

• Earn a Degree or Qualification in Hospitality: Get a degree or diploma in hospitality management, hotel management or business. This will give you the basic knowledge and skills to manage hotels.
• Start with Entry-Level Hospitality Positions: Gaining experience in entry-level hospitality positions is the best way to get acquainted with the industry. Hosting, food and beverage service, or housekeeping jobs will give you a hands-on feel for how the departments work and how to offer exceptional guest service.
• Acquire Leadership Skills: As you gain experience, seek additional responsibilities such as supervising others or leading a team.
• Apply For Management Training Programs: Some hotels and hospitality companies offer management training programs that help develop future leaders for the industry. These programs generally include training and leadership training, which can be a great stepping stone to becoming a hotel manager. Look for these programs at larger chains or resorts.
• Go for accredited certifications: While often optional, certified attestations such as the Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Management or the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Hospitality and Tourism can boost your qualifications and appeal to employers in the profession.
• Build a Strong Network: A network of contacts is a must in hospitality; attend hospitality conferences, join professional associations and meet people in the industry. Hospitality is primarily a people business, and a network of contacts will make it easier for you to get a new job when the time comes while revealing what is happening in the industry.
• Apply for jobs as assistant manager or department head: If you have enough experience and are good at your role, apply for associate manager or department head positions with hotels. These will increase your level of responsibility and will help prepare you to run entire hotels.
• Progress to Hotel Manager: After working in various hotel departments’ supervisory or assistant manager positions, apply for hotel manager jobs. If necessary, start with a smaller property and move to larger properties or luxury hotels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become a Hotel Manager?

A career as a hotel manager is an exciting and fulfilling job that combines leadership, customer service and business management. It is ideal for people who enjoy working in a fast-paced, pressurised environment, who are comfortable managing large staff teams and who like to ensure their guests have the best experience possible. Additionally, this job offers the opportunity to work abroad, or at least in different parts of the country, as most international hotel companies operate branches worldwide.

Is Being a Hotel Manager a Good Career Choice for You?

If you like working with people, are good at leadership and organisation, and have a passion for hospitality, a career in hotel management could be the one for you. But be prepared for long hours and deal with stressful situations as long as possible. You’ll probably enjoy it if you thrive in fast-paced, service-orientated situations.

Hotel Manager Salaries

The salaries of hotel managers in the UK vary extensively. The entry-level managers in small or local hotels earn between £22,000 and £30,000 annually. The experienced managers in the large or luxury hotels earn £50,000 to £100,000 or even more.

The exact salary is affected by the size and location of the hotel, along with its prestige. The level of experience is also important.

Which Qualifications Can Help with a Career as a Hotel Manager?

A degree or diploma in hospitality management, business administration, or hotel management is very helpful for those aspiring to become hotel managers. A professional certification such as a Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Management or a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) certification will also help you advance your career.

Do I Need Experience to Get Started as a Hotel Manager?

Absolutely, but of course, the route to becoming a hotel manager is to have experience first in the industry. Most hotel managers start their careers as entry-level staff working in one of the following roles: front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage service and then later move into supervisory or assistant management posts.

Hotel Manager Career Outlook

Demand for hotel managers isn’t going away, especially in busy tourist destinations and especially inside international chain hotels. The travel and tourism industry continues to grow, and with growth comes opportunity. Hotel managers have a shot at making their way up the ladder. They can also go elsewhere in hospitality management, such as resort or event planning.

Hotel Manager Hierarchy and Progressing Within the Role

Hotel managers can advance into senior management positions as Regional Manager or Director of Operations (often overseeing multiple properties or regions), or they can move into corporate employment with a hotel chain, focusing on sales, marketing or strategic planning.

Hotel Manager Exit Options and Opportunities

You may move to other relevant sectors, including restaurant management, event management or tourism consultancy. Some hotel managers may also set up their hospitality businesses, such as bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, or events venues.