What Does a Hotel Manager Do?
A hotel manager oversees the full operations of a hotel or resort, ensuring seamless coordination across departments such as front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, and food service. Their job is to maintain high standards of service, comfort, and cleanliness for guests while managing staff performance and resolving any operational issues that arise. Hotel managers are responsible for hiring and training staff, handling guest complaints, enforcing brand and quality standards, and ensuring the property remains welcoming, safe, and well-maintained.
Beyond daily logistics, hotel managers are also accountable for the business side of operations. They create budgets, monitor revenue, manage expenses, and implement marketing strategies to boost occupancy rates and profitability. A successful hotel manager must be proactive, adaptable, and highly organized, balancing guest satisfaction with financial performance. Whether managing a boutique property or a franchise location, they serve as the face of the hotel, guiding the team, solving problems, and creating memorable guest experiences.
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Hotel Manager Core Responsibilities
- Oversee all daily hotel operations, ensuring consistent service and guest satisfaction
- Supervise department heads across front office, housekeeping, maintenance, and food & beverage
- Recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate hotel staff
- Handle guest feedback, complaints, and special requests with professionalism
- Monitor room availability, pricing strategies, and occupancy reports
- Enforce safety, cleanliness, and brand standards throughout the property
- Manage budgets, control costs, and review financial performance reports
- Coordinate marketing and promotional efforts to increase bookings
- Ensure compliance with local regulations and company policies
- Represent the property in community or corporate events
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with property management systems (PMS) such as Opera, Maestro, or Cloudbeds
- Strong knowledge of hotel operations, service standards, and hospitality procedures
- Budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting skills
- Experience in staff supervision and scheduling
- Understanding of health and safety compliance for lodging and food services
Soft skills
- Leadership and team motivation
- Clear, professional verbal and written communication
- Conflict resolution and guest service mindset
- Problem-solving in fast-paced environments
- Attention to detail and operational consistency
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field preferred
- Associate’s degree or equivalent experience accepted for smaller properties
Certifications
- Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) preferred for leadership roles
- ServSafe certification recommended for properties with food and beverage services
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with hotel opening, renovation, or brand conversion
- Familiarity with revenue management platforms and online booking engines
- Background managing both leisure and business travel guest segments
- Multilingual skills are a plus in international or tourism-heavy locations
- Proven track record in guest satisfaction or occupancy growth
National Average Salary
Hotel manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Hotel Manager is:
$83,655
Sample Job Description Templates for Hotel Managers
Boutique Hotel Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Boutique Hotel Manager to oversee the operations of a small, design-driven property known for its personalized service and unique guest experience. This role involves hands-on leadership across all departments and close collaboration with guests, staff, and local vendors. Ideal candidates are hospitality-minded professionals who thrive in dynamic, detail-focused environments.
Responsibilities
- Manage daily operations of all hotel departments, including front desk, housekeeping, and maintenance
- Deliver a high-touch guest experience aligned with the boutique brand identity
- Train and lead staff to uphold consistent service and presentation standards
- Coordinate local partnerships, guest experiences, and community events
- Monitor occupancy, pricing, and reservation trends using PMS and RMS tools
- Respond personally to guest feedback, online reviews, and service recovery needs
- Oversee boutique property aesthetics, amenities, and ambiance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with boutique hotel property management systems
- Knowledge of luxury guest services and small-property operations
- Basic financial reporting, scheduling, and vendor management
Soft skills
- Creative problem-solving and attention to atmosphere
- Warm, engaging communication with a personal service approach
- Agility in multitasking across multiple roles when needed
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality or related field preferred
Certifications
- CHA certification preferred
- ServSafe certification is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience managing or opening boutique or independent hotels
- Background in hospitality design, guest experience curation, or local tourism
Resort Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Resort Manager to lead full-scale operations at a destination resort property. This role requires oversight of guest accommodations, amenities, recreation, food and beverage, and special events. The ideal candidate has broad hospitality experience, financial acumen, and the ability to manage a large, multi-departmental staff.
Responsibilities
- Oversee guest services, housekeeping, culinary operations, recreation, and spa services
- Ensure high service standards across accommodations and resort amenities
- Develop budgets, monitor revenue streams, and control expenses across departments
- Direct marketing efforts, including seasonal packages, events, and group sales coordination
- Manage staff hiring, training, scheduling, and performance reviews
- Maintain resort safety, cleanliness, and brand consistency
- Resolve high-level guest concerns and drive satisfaction metrics
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience managing complex, amenity-rich resort environments
- Financial oversight and profit/loss (P&L) accountability
- Familiarity with resort PMS, RMS, and spa/recreation booking tools
Soft skills
- Strong team leadership in large-scale hospitality settings
- Cross-functional coordination and multitasking
- Guest-first service orientation and emotional intelligence
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, resort management, or business required
Certifications
- CHA certification required or strongly preferred
- ServSafe and pool/spa safety certifications preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing high-volume leisure properties or destination resorts
- Background in event management, family programming, or tour coordination
Extended Stay Hotel Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring an Extended Stay Hotel Manager to lead daily operations for a property serving long-term business travelers, contractors, and relocating families. This role focuses on operational efficiency, occupancy consistency, and maintaining a welcoming home-like experience for guests.
Responsibilities
- Manage front office, housekeeping, and maintenance teams to meet long-term guest needs
- Monitor occupancy and extended-stay guest satisfaction metrics
- Oversee room inventory, long-stay contracts, and billing
- Ensure kitchens, laundry areas, and extended-stay amenities are maintained
- Coordinate housekeeping rotations based on guest schedules
- Train staff to accommodate unique guest needs and requests
- Promote safety, cleanliness, and 24/7 support services
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of extended stay operations, guest retention practices, and long-term booking platforms
- Familiarity with hotel tax policies and long-stay invoicing
- Proficiency with PMS and guest tracking software
Soft skills
- Customer service focus with a long-term relationship mindset
- Adaptability in serving diverse guest types (corporate, families, transitional stays)
- Problem-solving and resourcefulness
Education
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in hospitality preferred
Certifications
- CHA certification preferred
- ServSafe certification is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing midscale or economy extended-stay brands
- Familiarity with service animal policies and ADA-compliant room management
Airport Hotel Manager
Position Overview
We are looking for an Airport Hotel Manager to oversee operations at a hotel serving frequent travelers, airline crew, and short-stay guests. This fast-paced environment requires strong logistics management, rapid check-in/check-out procedures, and excellent guest relations skills.
Responsibilities
- Manage front desk, housekeeping, shuttle transportation, and food & beverage operations
- Ensure 24/7 staffing and availability for overnight and early-morning travelers
- Coordinate airport shuttle services, flight delay policies, and group bookings
- Maintain quick turnaround processes for room readiness and staff shifts
- Communicate with airline partners, booking agents, and corporate clients
- Resolve guest concerns promptly and ensure high turnover guest satisfaction
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with airport hotel operations, transit lodging logistics, and loyalty programs
- Familiarity with shuttle management and crew contract coordination
- PMS, CRS, and GDS platform experience
Soft skills
- Ability to lead under pressure and manage time-sensitive operations
- Flexibility in scheduling and staffing overnight rotations
- Strong guest service orientation for frequent travelers
Education
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; associate’s degree accepted with experience
Certifications
- CHA or similar hospitality management certification preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in airport-adjacent hotels or transit properties
- Familiarity with airline contract stays and high-volume weekend operations
Luxury Hotel Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Luxury Hotel Manager to lead the operations of a premium hotel property known for exceptional service, world-class amenities, and refined guest experiences. The ideal candidate has experience managing upscale hotels and a deep understanding of luxury service delivery and brand representation.
Responsibilities
- Lead all operational departments to deliver 5-star service standards
- Ensure alignment with luxury brand guidelines, guest personalization, and VIP treatment
- Oversee fine dining, concierge, spa, and bespoke experience offerings
- Recruit and develop high-performing service-oriented staff
- Monitor quality control, amenities, and presentation across the property
- Handle VIP guest needs, complaints, and special accommodations discreetly
- Maintain strong relationships with high-end vendors, travel agents, and concierge partners
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience managing luxury or five-star hotel properties
- Proficiency with luxury PMS and CRM systems for guest personalization
- High-end food and beverage and concierge operations knowledge
Soft skills
- Polished, refined communication
- Strong discretion, professionalism, and presence
- Anticipatory service mindset and attention to detail
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality or luxury brand management required
Certifications
- CHA certification required
- Luxury service or Forbes Five-Star service training preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in international hospitality or luxury resort environments
- Multilingual communication skills
- Experience with brand audits and mystery shopper programs