Working in a family hotel

A family hotel is a cosmos of its own. From breakfast to bedtime, everything happens a little differently here - livelier, louder, more varied. This is exactly what makes working in a family hotel particularly varied and often challenging.

Whether in service, at reception, in the kitchen, in housekeeping or in childcare: those who understand what families value ensure smooth processes and happy guests. In this article, we show you what makes working in a family hotel so unique - and what special features are important in the individual areas.

Families have special needs, especially when it comes to food. This applies not only to the menu, but also to the process.

• Children often eat earlier - be prepared for changing meal times.
• Patience is key: a calm, friendly approach is the best basis for relaxing even turbulent situations.
• Parents appreciate practical solutions such as high chairs, crayons and small waiting aids.
• Allergies and individual requests are common - the better informed you are, the better the service.

Remember: In a family hotel, you score points with attentiveness, good timing and a good sense of humor.

A check-in with children simply works differently than a classic hotel check-in. 

• Expect a lot of baggage, lots of questions and sometimes little patience.
• Friendly, clear communication reassures parents and builds trust.
• Children appreciate small tokens of appreciation - a sticker, a smile or a short personal sentence is enough.
• Families often need more information: Children's program, meal times, sleeping arrangements, excursion tips - you are the linchpin.

Tip: A calm charisma makes all the difference, even when things get turbulent in the background.

The kitchen plays a special role in family hotels. Eating with small children in particular can be a challenge in its own right - for families and for the kitchen.

• This includeschild-friendly dishes as well as high-quality meals for adults.
• Flexibility is required: intolerances, special portion sizes or spontaneous requests are the order of the day.
• Buffets should be clear, well laid out and easy to reach - especially for children.
• Safety is a priority: hot food and equipment must be well secured.

Remember: The collaboration between kitchen and service should always run smoothly. You can find tips on how to achieve this in a separate magazine article. 

Family rooms are often used more creatively than standard rooms. Family life, especially with babies and small children, always means a bit of loving chaos.

• Toys, crumbs, clothes and baby accessories are part of everyday life.
• Cribs, safety rails, kettles and baby bathtubs need to be checked regularly.
• Expect spontaneous special requests - fresh bed linen, extra towels, a second pillow.

Important: Structure and a friendly demeanor bring calm to any situation. Even if you may not have the right solution straight away: stressed parents are happy to have a sympathetic ear and someone who is willing to help.

Childcare is what makes family hotels so unique. The advantages are obvious: the little ones experience lots of new things, while parents get the chance to take a breather.

• Creativity and patience are the most important tools here.
• Safety is the top priority - clear procedures and constant attention help.
• A varied program ensures that children's eyes light up and parents are relaxed.
• Every age group needs something different: from arts and crafts to outdoor adventures.
• Those who like to laugh, play and stay spontaneous will feel particularly at home here.

In a family hotel, nothing works without interaction. When the kitchen, service, reception, housekeeping and childcare communicate well, this has a direct impact on the guests. So: keep an open mind, help out where necessary and look forward to many lively moments in your day-to-day work.

Family hotels are lively, warm and full of surprises. Those looking for variety and genuine togetherness will find an environment where every day is different.

If you would like to work in a family hotel or are currently looking for your next job: at Hogastjob you will find a wide range of vacancies and employers that are just right for you.