Reception and Reservation

*How long have you been working for Gerber Hotels?
I have been part of #teamgerberhotels since January 2023.

*What’s it like to work at Gerber Hotels?
It’s great. I feel like part of a big family. The Gerber family really does a lot to make employees feel welcome and understood. I joined a running business and an existing team in the middle of a season – they didn’t let me feel that at all. I was part of a great community from the very first minute. In general, I find it amazing what benefits are offered to employees here. A second home.

*What do you like best about your job?
We, at the reception desk, are the first and last impression of the hotel and a lot in between. But what I like best is the variety of the job. You have to work with people as well as a lot of paperwork. No two days are the same, which is partly due to the different characters of the guests. When you have contributed to a wonderful stay at the end, the guest leaves with a smile and wonderful memories and is looking forward to their next stay, you have a great feeling yourself.

*What qualities should you have to work at reception?
At reception it is important to always be friendly, polite, discreet and above all stress-resistant. We are contact persons, organizational talents, problem solvers, wish fulfillers and much more. Contact with people must be your passion. Flexibility must be one of your qualities. Everything else can be learned.

*Tell us something about your career. What did you do before you became a department manager?
After leaving school in Germany, I decided to train as a hotel manageress. After a few years of professional experience, I wanted to deepen my knowledge and went to a hotel management school to study to become a state-certified business economist in the hotel and catering industry. I was then able to put my experience as an assistant manager at the service of my training company until I longed for a change of a special kind and moved from flat northern Germany to mountainous Tyrol. That’s how I ended up in beautiful Kühtai.
In my first season, I started as Deputy Reception Manager, before becoming Reception Manager and managing the reception area and my own team at the end of November 2023.

*What are the challenges in your job?
As you work directly with guests in our service industry, especially at reception, this is sometimes the biggest challenge. Every guest is individual and you have to keep calm even with demanding guests or in problematic situations and, above all, always remain friendly. Another challenge in the front office is that, despite the paperwork on the computer, which usually requires a lot of concentration, you always have to be attentive to the guests. They, in turn, usually think that you have nothing to do if there is no guest at the reception desk.

*Tell us about an experience that has remained in your memory.
There are quite a few experiences. From an impossible journey through snow-covered or buried roads and angry guests to tears at the end of a wonderful stay. My personal highlight of the season was the “Beat the Boss” staff event at the go-kart track.

*Do you have any tips for applicants who are interested in a job at reception?
If the job interests you and you live and breathe hospitality, GO FOR IT!
Just be yourself, stay natural and authentic.