Front Office Management - Quick Guide

Every multi-departmental physical business needs to have a front office or reception to receive the visitors. Front Office Department is the face and as well as the voice of a business. Regardless of the star rating of the hotel or the hotel type, the hotel has a front office as its most visible department. For a business such as hospitality, the front office department comes with an aspect of elevating customer experience with the business.
Front Office department is a common link between the customers and the business. Let us learn more about it.
It is the one of the many departments of the hotel business which directly interacts with the customers when they first arrive at the hotel. The staff of this department is very visible to the guests.
Front office staff handles the transactions between the hotel and its guests. The staff receives the guests, handles their requests, and strikes the first impression about the hotel into their minds.
Front office department includes −
Front Desk
Uniformed services
Concierges
Front Office Accounting System
Private Branch Exchange (PBX), a private telephone network used within an organization
Following are the most basic responsibilities a front office can handle.
Creating guest database
Handling guest accounts
Coordinating guest service
Trying to sell a service
Ensuring guest satisfaction
Handling in-house communication through PBX
There are two categories of Front Office Operations −
These operations are visible to the guests of the hotel. The guests can interact and see these operations, hence, the name Front-House operations. Few of these operations include −
Interacting with the guests to handle request for an accommodation.
Checking accommodation availability and assigning it to the guest.
Collecting detail information while guest registration.
Creating a guest’s account with the FO accounting system.
Issuing accommodation keys to the guest.
Settling guest payment at the time of check-out.
Front Office staff conducts these operations in the absence of the guests or when the guest’s involvement is not required. These operations involve activities such as −
Determining the type of guest (fresh/repeat) by checking the database.
Ensuring preferences of the guest to give a personal touch to the service.
Maintaining guest’s account with the accounting system.
Preparing the guest’s bill.
Collecting the balance amount of guest bills.
Generating reports.
Generally, a guest’s interaction with the hotel is divided into the following four sequential phases −
It is the stage when the customer is planning to avail an accommodation in the hotel. In this first stage, the customer or the prospective guest enquires about the availability of the desired type of accommodation and its amenities via telephonic call or an e-mail. The customer also tries to find out more information about the hotel by visiting its website.
At the hotel end, the front office accounting system captures the guest’s information such as name, age, contact numbers, probable duration of stay for room reservation and so on.
The front office reception staff receives the guest in the reception. The porters bring in the guest luggage. For the guest with confirmed reservation, the front office clerk hands over a Guest Registration Card (GRC) to the guest and requests the guest to fill in personal information regarding the stay in the hotel. The clerk then registers the guest in the database thereby creating a guest record and a guest account along with it. Later, the clerk hands over a welcome kit and keys of the accommodation. After the procedure of registration, the guest can start occupying the accommodation.
During occupancy, a front office accounting system is responsible for tracking guest charges against his/her purchases from the hotel restaurants, room service, bar, or any outgoing telephone calls made via the hotel’s communication systems. The front office staff is responsible to manage and issue the right keys of the accommodations to the right guests. On guests’ request, the staff also makes arrangement for transportation, babysitting, or local touring while the guest is staying in the hotel.
During guest departure, the front office accounting system ensures payment for goods and services provided. If a guest’s bill is not completely paid, the balance is transferred from guest to non-guest records. When this occurs, collection becomes the responsibility of the back office accounting division.
At the time of guest departure, the front office staff thanks the guest for giving an opportunity to serve and arrange for handling luggage. In addition, if the guest requires airport or other drop service, the front office bell desk fulfils it.
Following are some common terms used in relation to the front office department −
Account receivables
The amount of money an organization has the right to receive within some specified period (say 30 days) against the delivery of products/services.
Bell desk
An extension of front desk that deals with personalized guest services.
Cancellation charges
They are the charges borne by the guest on cancellation of a confirmed reservation or for not showing-up on confirmed reservation.
Concierge
Information desk that assists guests for transportation, booking of events outside the hotel.
GRC
Guest Registration Card, which the guest needs to fill in with personal formation at the time of registration.
Guest
Customer of the hotel business being served.
IP-PBX
Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange, where internet protocol is used for call transmission.
MICE
Acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.
Non-guest
Customer of a hotel business not being served at the moment.
No-show
A guest who has reserved an accommodation neither turns up nor cancels it.
OHMS
Online Hotel Management System, a software system to manage all back-office operations of a hotel.
PBX
Private Branch Exchange, a private network of telephones within an organization.
POS
Acronym for Point of Sale. It is the revenue generating place in the hotel where retail transactions are carried out.
Rack rate
The price at which the hotel rooms are sold before applying discount.
SMERF
Acronym for Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal.
Trial balance
It is a report of accounts that represents ending balance of each account in the list. It is prepared at the end of an accounting period.
Uniformed services
Personalized services provided to the guests.
Valet
A male attendant to park and clean the car.
Whitney System
An old reservation system for hotel accommodations.
Yield Management
A variable pricing strategy, based on understanding, anticipating and influencing consumer behavior in order to maximize revenue from a fixed, perishable resource.
Front office area is commonly termed as ‘Reception’, as it is the place where the guests are received when they arrive at the hotel. It is the first point of interaction between the hotel and the guests. Being the prime interface between the hotel services and the guests, the front office is located near the main entrance of the hotel.
The front office structure can be viewed in two ways: the physical setup and the operational structure of the department.
The physical setup includes key-hanging boards, bell desk and guest-mail handling register. The front desk is equipped with various compartments, the computerized property management system, and an in-house communication system.
The front desk is where the guests temporarily await to find an accommodation or to clear their bill. Hence, it needs to be positioned appropriately such that the staff and the guests can use them conveniently. The front desk needs to be −
Positioned at an adequate height and reach.
An adequately lit-up area.
Aesthetically furnished.
Preferably near the hotel lobby and lift.
Preferably near the sitting area.
Wide enough to make the staff member communicate with the guests across the desk.
The front office staff needs to communicate with the staff of the same as well as all other departments of the hotel. This is termed as internal communication. It mostly relies upon the PBX or IP-PBX system.
When the front office communicates with the potential customers outside the hotel, corporate offices, and other ancillary service providers, then it is an external communication.
Any formal communication outside the hotel is mostly carried out using e-mails and phone calls. For sending coupons or other promotional material, renewing agreements with travel agents or airlines, the front office staff may opt for postal mail.
There are lot of staff working under front office manager. The structure of the front office department changes according to the size of the hotel business, physical size of the hotel, and the hotel management policies. Following is the general structure of the front office department −
Front office department manager heads the team of staff working on various activities and responsibilities in the front office department. Few prominent activities that the front office staff is involved in are −
Reservation − It includes handling request of customers for reserving accommodations.
Reservation − It includes handling request of customers for reserving accommodations.
Reception − It includes receiving the guests according to the highest standards and registering them appropriately. It also includes bidding the guests off.
Reception − It includes receiving the guests according to the highest standards and registering them appropriately. It also includes bidding the guests off.
Guest Services − They are also known as Uniformed Services. It includes personalized guest services such as −

Handling guest luggage.
Handling guest mail.
Delivering newspapers in accommodations.
Paging the guest inside the hotel (locating the guest in the hotel).
Arranging for a doctor in emergency.
Parking guest’s automobiles.
Arranging for reservations at the places of entertainment outside the hotel.


Guest Services − They are also known as Uniformed Services. It includes personalized guest services such as −
Handling guest luggage.
Handling guest mail.
Delivering newspapers in accommodations.
Paging the guest inside the hotel (locating the guest in the hotel).
Arranging for a doctor in emergency.
Parking guest’s automobiles.
Arranging for reservations at the places of entertainment outside the hotel.
Accounts − It mainly includes a front office cashier and a Night Auditor. The cashier is responsible for handling guest payments. He typically reports to the accounts manager rather than the front office manager.
The night auditor performs the duties of front desk reception as well as accounting partly during the night shift. He needs to report to the heads of both departments, front office, and accounting.

Accounts − It mainly includes a front office cashier and a Night Auditor. The cashier is responsible for handling guest payments. He typically reports to the accounts manager rather than the front office manager.
The night auditor performs the duties of front desk reception as well as accounting partly during the night shift. He needs to report to the heads of both departments, front office, and accounting.
Communication − It involves handling communication among various other departments and guests of the hotel.
Communication − It involves handling communication among various other departments and guests of the hotel.
Let us discuss a few prominent ranks in the front office department and their respective responsibilities −
In the context of hotel, the term reservation is used for booking a particular accommodation in the hotel by a guest for a period of time. Reservation section does not directly deal with the guests.
Some important tasks a reservation manager is responsible for are −
Having knowledge about the reservation systems.
Providing and updating information on tours, prices, and itineraries.
Reviewing daily hotel reservations.
Preparing occupancy forecast.
Updating travel agent rates in the system.
Handling correspondence with outside travel agencies.
Allocating daily tasks to the reservation staff.
Ensuring special deals with repeat guests, VIPs, or guest groups.
Training the staff under hand.
Following are some prominent roles and responsibilities of the reception manager −
Dealing with arrival and departure of the guests.
Dealing with arrival and departure of the guests.
Welcoming the guests, escorting them to the room, and seeing them off.
Welcoming the guests, escorting them to the room, and seeing them off.
Ensuring professional greeting of clients, visitors, and guests.
Ensuring professional greeting of clients, visitors, and guests.
Coordination with housekeeping department for cleaning rooms.
Coordination with housekeeping department for cleaning rooms.
Filling registration cards for the guests with reserved accommodation or help the guests to fill it up.
Filling registration cards for the guests with reserved accommodation or help the guests to fill it up.
Arranging surprise gift for the guests on their special days.
Arranging surprise gift for the guests on their special days.
Training of receptionists.
Training of receptionists.
Handling appraisals and performance rewards of the staff.
Handling appraisals and performance rewards of the staff.
Reviewing current standards of front office services and procedures, and implementing new practices if required.
Reviewing current standards of front office services and procedures, and implementing new practices if required.
Ensuring and Scheduling front office desk staff.
Ensuring and Scheduling front office desk staff.
Managing VIP functions and events taking place in the hotel.
Managing VIP functions and events taking place in the hotel.
Upgrading software if required.
Upgrading software if required.
Updating backup database regularly.
Updating backup database regularly.
The responsibilities of the guest service manager include −
Handling guest mails, letters, and couriers.
Ensuring guest messages are delivered at the right time.
Training the guest service staff such as concierges, bell staff, wallet parking staff, and porters.
Maintaining guest service suggestion cards and guest complaints.
Scheduling and appraising guest service staff.
Ensuring the staff delivers services, accurately and timely.
This manager works during the night hours. The typical responsibilities of a night audit manager are &mnus;
Posting accommodation charges, taxes, and other paid services such as restaurant, Internet charges to each guest's account accurately.
Posting accommodation charges, taxes, and other paid services such as restaurant, Internet charges to each guest's account accurately.
Taking the responsibility as a duty manager for night shift.
Taking the responsibility as a duty manager for night shift.
Settling guest accounts if required.
Settling guest accounts if required.
Authoring security of the hotel during night shift.
Authoring security of the hotel during night shift.
The communication manager is responsible for −
Keeping in check all communication facilities such as PBX, facsimile, internet in the hotel.
Training and scheduling telephone operators in case of large hotels.
Ensuring immediate delivery of fax to the guests, if required.
Appraising telephone operators.
Changing the communication systems to the latest technology for easy use.
Being a part of the service industry, the front office staff needs to have the following qualities and competencies. The front office staff members are required to −
Understand their respective roles and responsibilities in the hotel and front office as an operation.
Equip themselves with basic etiquettes and mannerism.
Possess pleasant, polite, and cordial personality.
Wear clean and neat uniform with same accessories and footwear.
Conduct themselves with professionalism, positive attitude, and cooperative nature.
Possess extraordinary communication skills.
Be a team player.
Possess the ability to tackle tricky situations.
Reservation of the hotel accommodation is one of the important responsibilities of the front office department. A potential guest contacts a hotel for availability of the desired type of accommodation and any allied services that the hotel offers. The front office department needs to react to the enquiry of the guests.
For a guest, reservation increases the chances of a better deal for assured accommodation on arrival. For a hotel, reservation can enable a better management of guest experience during usual as well as peak seasons. Reservation procedure varies depending on the size and brand of the hotel and the reservation system employed.
Let us know the details how the front office handles reservations.
An efficient and effective reservation system is what adds to the hotel’s profitability. Following are the most popular reservation systems −
It was developed in 1940 by Whitney Paper Corporation from New York, hence the name. This is a conventional manual reservation system the hotels used to follow during pre-computer days in the hotels. It contains the following setup for reservation −
Slip for request of accommodation reservation
Whitney slip that records guest name, accommodation type, number, and duration of stay
Temporary/Permanent arrival slip
Guest bill
Guest registration card
Correspondence file
Bedroom journal that records daily occupancy of the guest with date, guest name, room type, and room number
Let us see how a Whitney slip and the bedroom journal looks like.
Though this system proved efficient, it generated a lot of paperwork with occasional scope for errors. The drawbacks were overcome by the central reservation system.
It is a computerized reservation system that reduces paperwork and can handle large amount of reservation data effortlessly.
In this system, since the guest data and reservation data are stored on the storage disks of the computers, it can be accessed at wish. It is stored in the form of a database of collection of records which can enable searching, adding, removing, or updating any guest related data.
The computerized reservation system not only helps to make guest reservations but also helps to forecast how many accommodations can be reserved in an upcoming time period.
This is how a CRS typically works −
The guests of hotel sales agents call for checking room availability. It is forwarded to the front office reservation staff. The staff finds out details about the requirement and checks the availability of desired accommodation in the database. According to the reservation policies and procedures, the reservation staff member then notifies or suggests the reception about the accommodation availability and takes further appropriate action.
The Internet has brought a momentum in the hospitality business as well. It facilitates seamless management of a hotel’s offices located at various places and their various departments.
The hotel businesses are actively working on the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Internet has simplified complex system of reservations. It enables Online Hotel Management Systems (OHMS) such as Hotelogix to help guests reserve accommodation of their choice fast and conveniently. The guests of the hotel can access rate charts, accommodation availability, check-in and check-out timings, details about the restaurants, and so on, at their own convenience.
People travel for various reasons such as personal as well as for MICE. There are various sources from whom the requests of reservation pour in −
Direct Request from Guests − The prospective guests can approach individually to the hotel for reservation of accommodation mostly when they are single travelers or family travelers.
Direct Request from Guests − The prospective guests can approach individually to the hotel for reservation of accommodation mostly when they are single travelers or family travelers.
Request from Travel Agent − They can approach the hotel for booking accommodations for group travelers.
Request from Travel Agent − They can approach the hotel for booking accommodations for group travelers.
Request from Corporate Agent − An organization can request a hotel to reserve accommodations for their employees, clients, or visitors.
Request from Corporate Agent − An organization can request a hotel to reserve accommodations for their employees, clients, or visitors.
Request from Airlines − The airlines can reserve accommodations for their working staff for routine stay as well as in case of flight cancellations.
Request from Airlines − The airlines can reserve accommodations for their working staff for routine stay as well as in case of flight cancellations.
Request from Institutions − Various SMERF or NGO institutions request to reserve hotels for sports people, delegations of embassies, or performing-art program groups, workshop groups, and alike who travel to different location.
Request from Institutions − Various SMERF or NGO institutions request to reserve hotels for sports people, delegations of embassies, or performing-art program groups, workshop groups, and alike who travel to different location.
The first step in reserving an accommodation is to check if the requested kind of accommodation is available for selling for a specific period of time. It is done by checking forecast boards or computerized systems.
Reservation of an accommodation is accepted if the desired type of accommodation is available in the hotel for selling. If it is not available during a rush season or if the guest is in urgent need, the staff member suggests for almost similar alternative accommodation by stating its amenities and facilities.
Reservation is accepted in the following cases in conjunction with the availability of the accommodation −
Is the guest new to the hotel?
Does the guest have good credentials with the hotel regarding payment and behavior?
Is the guest a VIP?
Denial of reservation directly means loss of revenue. But there are certain situations when the reservation staff turns down the reservation for the guests or agents. The potential causes of denying reservation are −
All accommodations in hotel booked − In such case, the reservation staff refuses the reservation politely and suggests an alternative hotel in the same area or different property of the same owner in a nearby area.
All accommodations in hotel booked − In such case, the reservation staff refuses the reservation politely and suggests an alternative hotel in the same area or different property of the same owner in a nearby area.
Requested type of accommodation not available − In such case, the reservation staff suggests an alternate accommodation.
Requested type of accommodation not available − In such case, the reservation staff suggests an alternate accommodation.
Guest/Agent blacklisted − Some guests or agents are blacklisted due to their history of payment dues against the hotel. In such case, the reservation clerk seeks for reservation manager’s advice.
Guest/Agent blacklisted − Some guests or agents are blacklisted due to their history of payment dues against the hotel. In such case, the reservation clerk seeks for reservation manager’s advice.
Finally, the reservation section of the front office prepares the list of the reservations for the day and sends it to the front desk. The list also contains vital information such as if the guest is new or repeat, guest preferences about room location or décor. The rooms are then prepared by housekeeping.
This is yet another event when the hotel loses business with a guest. Though the fact is overt loss of revenue, the front office staff must react to it politely and gracefully. The staff member also needs to convey any cancellation charges the guest must pay while cancelling the reservation. Cancellation is done in the following steps −
Finding out details of the guest and respective reserved accommodation.
Verifying charges of cancellation, if any.
Notifying the guest about cancellation charges.
Cancelling the reservation in the system.
Updating the system for accommodation availability.
Confirming the guest about the cancellation.
Reservation reports are generated for the sake of helping the management find trends and making forecast about business.
The reports typically are of the following types −
Occupancy report
Special arrival report
Revenue forecast report
Turnaway report
Guest registration is nothing but recording the guest’s information for official purposes. At the time of reservation, the front office staff asks the guests to enter their personal information on the GRC.
Registration activity is mandatory for both; the guest with reserved accommodation as well as for the walk-in guest. During registration, the guest is required to enter important information on the GRC such as guest name, contact number, purpose of stay at the hotel, and passport and visa details in case of foreign guest. It is the responsibility of the front office staff not to reveal the guest information to unauthorized persons.
Let us learn more about registration.
This procedure involves the prospective guests enquiring about the availability of desired type of accommodation. Registration can also be conducted in advance before arrival. It can be done via telephonic conversation in case of frequent guests, VIPs, or group guests.
In case of new walk-in guest, pre-registration is absent as there is no prior interaction between the guest and the hotel. Pre-registration activity accelerates the actual registration process where the desired accommodation is marked as reserved.
Since terror attacks on 9/11, the hotels are mandatorily verifying guests’ identities. The staff verifies guest’s identity first by politely asking the guest’s name. The staff member then requests to show a photo ID such as driving license or a valid identity card from a well-known organization where the guest is working. If the guests are from a foreign country, the staff requests them to show passport. The staff member is authorized to ask any verifying questions politely.
The true copies of the passport or ID card are made to verify the guest’s identity and to prepare guest database.
Following is a typical format of a registration card −
Email:
Fax:
Card Details:
Card Number:
Date of Expiry:
 
When the guests arrive at the hotel, the front desk staff hands over the GRC to the guest to fill up the information. In case of VIPs, the staff enters the information on the card and receives the guest’s signature.
The staff then creates a registration record of the guest, countersigns, attaches the true copies of the passport or other ID cards, and files this set in the guest history file. The guest reservation record is created as a registration record in the software system.
Guests can pay in advance or at the time of checking-out. Those who have paid in advance are put under Paid-In-Advance (PIA) list. There are various modes of payment out of which a mode that guest prefers is recorded at the time of registration. Following payment methods are available −
Cash Payment (which also include money order, travelers’ cheque).
Credit Card/Debit Card Payment (which are accepted only if the cards have not expired).
Cheque Payment (where post-dated cheques are not accepted).
Direct Billing.
Special Payment such as gift card and voucher.
The guests need to select one of the options of payment at the time of registration.
The front office staff assigns an accommodation to the guest only when the registration is complete. The staff member records the accommodation number into the PMS and describes about its positive attributes briefly.
The reservations staff also informs the bell-boy to take the guest luggage.
After the accommodation is assigned, the front office staff gives away the keys or the computerized secret code keys for accessing the accommodation.
It is a general practice to not to speak anything about the room number or the computerized key loudly while giving it to the guest. The bell attendant then assists the guest with luggage handling to the accommodation and explaining the accommodation features. The attendant then gives the keys to the guest, greets for best stay, and leaves the accommodation by closing the door.
If the guest is not satisfied with the accommodation for any unsatisfactory or unpleasant reasons, the bell attendant can bring this to the notice of the front desk staff. In addition, if the guest has special requirements such as a cradle for a baby or hot water bag or a shaving kit and alike, the front office staff is obliged to fulfil the request on time.
Accounting section of any business or organization tracks, records, and manages the financial transactions of the business with its customers and clients. The accounting department handles the financial health and tracks the performance of any business directly. It is helpful for the management to take appropriate decisions.
When it comes to a hotel business, accounting is managing expenses and revenue. It provides a clear information to the guests thereby avoiding any unpleasant surprises to the guests. Let us know more about the accounts section of front office.
It is a systematic process in which the front office accounting staff identifies, records, measures, classifies, verifies, summarizes, interprets, organizes, and communicates financial information for a hotel business.
In the simplest form, a front office account resembles English alphabet ‘Block-T’.
In the domain of front office accounting, the charges are entered on the left side of the ‘T’. They increase the account balance. The payments are entered on the right side of the ‘T’. They decrease the account balance.
Net Outstanding Balance = Previous Balance + Debit – Credit

Where debit increases the outstanding balance and credit decreases it.
Most of the contemporary hotel businesses employ automated accounting system.
The objectives of accounting system are −
To handle transactions between the guests and the hotel accurately.
To track the transactions throughout the guest’s occupancy.
To monitor the guest’s credit limit.
To avoid possibility of any fraud.
To organize and report the transactional information.
There are following typical accounts in hotel business dealing with customers −
Guest Account
Non-guest or City Account
Management Account
Here are some prominent differences between a guest and a city account −
Some hotels allow the managers to entertain the guests’ queries or grievances, or any possibility of acquiring a business deal over a brief interaction with the guests. For example, if a guest has some problem about the hotel policy, the manager calls the guest for interaction over a coffee or a drink and tries to resolve the same. The expenses towards this interaction are then recorded on the management account.
A folio is a statement of all transaction that has taken place in a single account.
The front office staff records all the transactions between the guest and the hotel on the folio. The folio is opened with zero initial balance. The balance in the folio then increases or decreases depending upon the transactions. At the time of check-out, the folio balance must return to zero on settlement of payment.
There are following major types of folios −
Guest − Assigned to charge for individual guests.
Guest − Assigned to charge for individual guests.
Master − Assigned charge for group/organization.
Master − Assigned charge for group/organization.
Non-guest − Assigned for non-resident guest.
Non-guest − Assigned for non-resident guest.
Employee − Assigned for hotel employee to charge against coffee shop privileges.
Employee − Assigned for hotel employee to charge against coffee shop privileges.
The process of recording the entries on the folio is called ‘Posting’ of transactions. There are two basic types of postings −
Credit − They reduce the guest’s outstanding balance. These entries include complete or partial payment, or adjustments against tokens.
Credit − They reduce the guest’s outstanding balance. These entries include complete or partial payment, or adjustments against tokens.
Debit − They increase the outstanding balance in the guest account. Debit entries include charges under restaurant, room-service, health center/spa, laundry, telephone, and transportation.
Debit − They increase the outstanding balance in the guest account. Debit entries include charges under restaurant, room-service, health center/spa, laundry, telephone, and transportation.
Vouchers are detailed documentary evidences for a transaction. It transfers the transaction from its source to the front office. Vouchers are used to notify the front office about guest’s purchases or availing of any service at the hotel.
The following typical vouchers are used in the hotel −
Cash Receipt Voucher
Commission Voucher
Charge Voucher
Petty Cash Voucher
Allowance Voucher
Miscellaneous Charge Order (MCO)
Paid-out Voucher (VPO)
Transfer voucher
Here are some typical vouchers.
The ledgers are a group of accounts. There are two ledgers the front office handles −
Guest ledger − A set of all guest accounts currently residing in the hotel.
Guest ledger − A set of all guest accounts currently residing in the hotel.
Non-guest ledger − A set of all unsettled, departed guest accounts.
Non-guest ledger − A set of all unsettled, departed guest accounts.
There are two other types of ledgers used in the hotel. Both types of ledgers are used by back office accounting section as given −
Receivable ledger − The back office accounting staff mails the bills and statements to the guests after their departure without settling the bills and ensures the payments for services provided.
Receivable ledger − The back office accounting staff mails the bills and statements to the guests after their departure without settling the bills and ensures the payments for services provided.
Payable ledger − The staff handles amounts of money paid in advance on behalf of the guest to the hotel for future consumption of goods and services.
Payable ledger − The staff handles amounts of money paid in advance on behalf of the guest to the hotel for future consumption of goods and services.
There are various issues regarding account settlement −
By Guest − The guest settles own account by cash/credit card/cheque.
By Organization − The organization settles guest account by transferring money to the hotel account.
There are following popular methods of account settlement −
Account Settlement in Local Currency − A guest can pay in terms of a local currency where the payment is not chargeable with conversion fees.
Account Settlement in Foreign Currency − If the guest prefers to pay in foreign currency, the service of payment by the bank is chargeable for around 3% to 6% of the total payable amount.
Account Settlement Using Traveler Check − Travelers’ cheques, the pre-printed cheques in the denominations of major world currencies are a good option to paying by cash.
Debit Card − Use of magnetic cards for payment against account is most common today. Paying by debit cards is as good as paying by cash as the amount of money is instantly transferred from the guest’s bank account into the hotel’s bank account.
In case of credit card settlement, the accounting staff mails the charge vouchers signed by guests to the credit card company; preferably within a specified time. The credit card company then settles the guest account by transferring money against it.
Credit Settlement by Organization − Many national, international, private, or public organizations send their employees or students for attending workshops, seminar, or meetings. Such organizations tie-up with the hotel for paying the bills of their employees on credit. The organizations reserve accommodations depending on the number of room nights (number of rooms × number of nights the representatives are expected to occupy). This is popularly known as account Settlement using Direct Billing.
In direct billing account settlement, the front office staff verifies guest folios and transfers the guest account to non-guest or city account. The hotel’s back-office accounting verifies the guest folios and is responsible to collect the direct billing amount from a direct billing agency such as embassy, university, or organizations.
The accounting section also notifies the guests that if the direct billing agency fails or refuses to pay the charges then the guests need to settle the account by paying them from their pocket.
Combined Account Settlement − A guest can settle account by paying partial amount in cash and remaining amount on credit. The front office staff needs to prepare the supporting document for such kind of payment and hands it over to the back-office accounts.
Healthy communication in the organization fosters mutual trust and sense of cooperation among the staff members and the guests as well as between the staff members and the management body. Front office communication with other departments can make or break the guests’ stay at the hotel.
As the front office is responsible to sell the hotel accommodations, it is a major driving force for generating revenue. Hence, communication within and out of front office department needs to be vibrant and positive.
Front office department is responsible for communicating with all other departments in the hotel as well as different sections within the department. To get the front office and back office jobs done successfully, the front office staff members need to communicate with their peers as well as the colleagues and subordinates.
Within the department, the staff of front office communicate with each other to provide the best possible guest services such as reserving accommodations, registering guests, managing guest accounts, handling guest mails, and personalized guest services.
Front office interacts with various departments since the guest inquire about reservation through the entire guest cycle up to the guest’s departure.
Here is how front office needs to communicate with the other departments −
Communication with Human Resource − Front Office department is engaged with the HR department to interview, help shortlist them, and select the most eligible employees. It also contacts the HR department for employee training and induction programs, salaries, leaves, dues, and appraisals.
Communication with Human Resource − Front Office department is engaged with the HR department to interview, help shortlist them, and select the most eligible employees. It also contacts the HR department for employee training and induction programs, salaries, leaves, dues, and appraisals.
Communication with Accounts − As front office department handles guest accounts with a complete responsibility, the staff needs to often interact with the back-office accounting colleagues regarding payment settlements or dues of guests or non-guests, discount offers, and coupons settlement. It also needs to sort out and get actual status of night auditing with accounts.
Communication with Accounts − As front office department handles guest accounts with a complete responsibility, the staff needs to often interact with the back-office accounting colleagues regarding payment settlements or dues of guests or non-guests, discount offers, and coupons settlement. It also needs to sort out and get actual status of night auditing with accounts.
Communication with Food and Beverage Department − Since front office department is the one where the guests speak about their food and beverage requirements during reservation, the front office needs to communicate with the food and beverage sections frequently.

It also keeps the track of guest’s purchases from the restaurant, the bar, or coffee shops in the hotel.
It conveys special requests of the guest regarding food and beverage to the F&B department.
It deals, accepts, and reserves banquet inquiries and coordinates them with the respective departments.


Communication with Food and Beverage Department − Since front office department is the one where the guests speak about their food and beverage requirements during reservation, the front office needs to communicate with the food and beverage sections frequently.
It also keeps the track of guest’s purchases from the restaurant, the bar, or coffee shops in the hotel.
It also keeps the track of guest’s purchases from the restaurant, the bar, or coffee shops in the hotel.
It conveys special requests of the guest regarding food and beverage to the F&B department.
It conveys special requests of the guest regarding food and beverage to the F&B department.
It deals, accepts, and reserves banquet inquiries and coordinates them with the respective departments.
It deals, accepts, and reserves banquet inquiries and coordinates them with the respective departments.
Communication with Marketing and Sales Department − Sales and Marketing department highly relies upon front office inputs about the guests. The guest history compiled by the front office department is an excellent source for segmenting the customers, prepare customer-oriented packages, and plan and execute the campaigns.
The front office staff contacts marketing and sales department in case there is a need to prepare electronic marquees or message boards for promotions.

Communication with Marketing and Sales Department − Sales and Marketing department highly relies upon front office inputs about the guests. The guest history compiled by the front office department is an excellent source for segmenting the customers, prepare customer-oriented packages, and plan and execute the campaigns.
The front office staff contacts marketing and sales department in case there is a need to prepare electronic marquees or message boards for promotions.
Communication with Housekeeping − The front office staff needs to interact with the housekeeping department on the concerns such as −

Readiness of vacated accommodation for selling.
Security of the accommodation.
Guest’s complaints and requirements about any amenities is initiated at the front desk.
Guest’s requirement of removing soiled dishes or linen from the accommodation.
In addition, the housekeeping department relies upon front office staff for the number of accommodations sold, departures, walk-ins, stay-over guests, and no-shows. Timely distribution of the accommodation sales helps the housekeeping manager to plan employee personal leaves and vacations.


Communication with Housekeeping − The front office staff needs to interact with the housekeeping department on the concerns such as −
Readiness of vacated accommodation for selling.
Readiness of vacated accommodation for selling.
Security of the accommodation.
Security of the accommodation.
Guest’s complaints and requirements about any amenities is initiated at the front desk.
Guest’s complaints and requirements about any amenities is initiated at the front desk.
Guest’s requirement of removing soiled dishes or linen from the accommodation.
Guest’s requirement of removing soiled dishes or linen from the accommodation.
In addition, the housekeeping department relies upon front office staff for the number of accommodations sold, departures, walk-ins, stay-over guests, and no-shows. Timely distribution of the accommodation sales helps the housekeeping manager to plan employee personal leaves and vacations.
In addition, the housekeeping department relies upon front office staff for the number of accommodations sold, departures, walk-ins, stay-over guests, and no-shows. Timely distribution of the accommodation sales helps the housekeeping manager to plan employee personal leaves and vacations.
Communication with Banqueting − The front office and banqueting department needs to interact with each other on the concerns such as −

Expected number of guests to attend the banquet.
Showing directions of the venue to the unfamiliar banquet guests.
Posting of daily messages on felt board regarding venue, occasion, hosts and guests.
Settling of the city account against the banquet service for the guest.


Communication with Banqueting − The front office and banqueting department needs to interact with each other on the concerns such as −
Expected number of guests to attend the banquet.
Expected number of guests to attend the banquet.
Showing directions of the venue to the unfamiliar banquet guests.
Showing directions of the venue to the unfamiliar banquet guests.
Posting of daily messages on felt board regarding venue, occasion, hosts and guests.
Posting of daily messages on felt board regarding venue, occasion, hosts and guests.
Settling of the city account against the banquet service for the guest.
Settling of the city account against the banquet service for the guest.
A vital link between the prospective guests and the hotel itself is switchboard operator who represents the hotel. When the customers call the hotel, the call first arrives at the switchboard operator.
Using knowledge of the portfolio, tone of speaking, and the command over language the switchboard operator can handle the influx of the calls. The operator represents the competency of the hotel in the market while speaking with the customers. Generally, the switchboard operator greets the guests and transfers their call to appropriate department.
There are two schools of thoughts regarding the area where a switchboard operator should work. Some experts say that they should be visible and some expert advice to assign a separate aloof place for them in the hotel. Today, the task of a switchboard operator for transferring the incoming calls to various departments is computerized and requires less human involvement.
The switchboard operators are informed not to transfer any call to the executive chef or to the banquet manager during busy work hours. Hence, the operator needs to take the message accurately and pass them on to the respective persons on time.
Communication necessarily is about verbal language as well as body language. Here are some common Do’s and Don’ts the front office staff follows while communicating −
Always present yourself with a warm smile.
Always present yourself with a warm smile.
Always stand and walk erect which reflects your confidence.
Always stand and walk erect which reflects your confidence.
Get hold on to your domain subject. Try to know more about your portfolio. This saves you from the embarrassing situations when you are expected to answer the guests.
Get hold on to your domain subject. Try to know more about your portfolio. This saves you from the embarrassing situations when you are expected to answer the guests.
Before you start speaking, find out important points about the issue.
Before you start speaking, find out important points about the issue.
Speak in audible voice.
Speak in audible voice.
Use simple and correct language.
Use simple and correct language.
Use a language that can be understood by everyone.
Use a language that can be understood by everyone.
If you need to talk to your colleague in the presence of guest, talk in a standard language of communication.
If you need to talk to your colleague in the presence of guest, talk in a standard language of communication.
Speak only if it is going to be useful to the guests and colleagues. Always speak by maintaining eye contact with the listener.
Speak only if it is going to be useful to the guests and colleagues. Always speak by maintaining eye contact with the listener.
In case your conversation is interrupted, continue it with a short recap of what has been already discussed.
In case your conversation is interrupted, continue it with a short recap of what has been already discussed.
While you listen, always pay undivided attention to the speaker. Communicate to understand; not to react.
While you listen, always pay undivided attention to the speaker. Communicate to understand; not to react.
If the guest asks you to arrange for too many things, then repeat them for confirming.
If the guest asks you to arrange for too many things, then repeat them for confirming.
Ask politely if you have missed to hear any point the guest or the colleague is putting forward.
Ask politely if you have missed to hear any point the guest or the colleague is putting forward.
Do not use jargon or words such as “hmm-hmm”, “yep”, and alike. Instead, use “perfect”, “absolutely”, and similar words.
Do not use jargon or words such as “hmm-hmm”, “yep”, and alike. Instead, use “perfect”, “absolutely”, and similar words.
Do not speak too fast, too slow, or in too low or high voice.
Do not speak too fast, too slow, or in too low or high voice.
Do not interrupt the speaker.
Do not interrupt the speaker.
Do not speak with the colleagues, if it is not related to the business during working hours.
Do not speak with the colleagues, if it is not related to the business during working hours.
Do not speak under assumptions.
Do not speak under assumptions.
Do not hastily arrive at the conclusion unless you know.
Do not hastily arrive at the conclusion unless you know.
Do not run around the area of work.
Do not run around the area of work.
Do not appear harsh with your subordinates.
Do not appear harsh with your subordinates.
Do not appear untidy on work.
Do not appear untidy on work.
Front office communication not only includes verbal or textual communication but also body language of the staff.
Following are some essential attributes the front office staff must have −
Pleasant, sturdy, and agile personality
High sense of good conduct and hygiene
Ability to solve problems and decide quickly
Salesmanship
Integrity
Punctuality
Knowledge of etiquettes, and manners
Command over language
Confident yet polite nature
Capacity to tackle situations of emergency
Integrity and honesty
Auditing is nothing but conducting financial inspection of the organization. For a hotel business, the finance management starts at the front office. Accurate posting of transactions on the guest folios start at the front office, which is further carried to the back-office accounting department. The guest accounts are counterchecked on a daily basis during auditing.
Experts recommend the hotel management team to go through the night audit reports daily to get an insight of the hotel occupancy and finances.
Let us see what night auditing is and details about the same.
It is the process of auditing where the night auditor reviews all financial activities of the hotel that has taken place in one day.
The auditing process for the day is generally conducted at the end of the day during the following night, hence the name ‘Night Audit’. It can be performed by the conventional method of using papers, receipts, vouchers, coupons, and files. But performing audit using modern PMS systems is easy, fast, and efficient.
The night auditor performs the following steps during night audit activity −
Posting accommodation and tax charg
Accumulating guest service charges and payments
Settling financial activities of various departments
Settling the account receivables
Running the trial balance for the day
Preparing the night audit report
The objective of night audit is to evaluate the hotel’s financial activities. Night audit not only reviews guest accounts by checking credits and debits but also tracks the credit limits of the guests and tallies projected and actual sales from various departments. Night audit reviews daily cash flow into and out of the hotel’s account.
Night audit has a large significance in hotel business operations. The management body refers night audit report to plan future goals and control the expenses. The managers can react immediately on the acquired information.
Apart from the basic audit activities listed above, the night auditor carries out the following responsibilities −
Taking over from the last shift.
Checking-in or checking-out the guests after 11:00 pm at night.
Registering the guests.
Allocating accommodations to the newly checked-in guests.
Settling transactions in the newly created guest accounts.
Verifying guest folios.
Verifying room status report.
Balancing all paperwork with the accounts in the PMS.
Remaining liable for security of the premises.
Handling guest accommodation keys.
Taking backup of the PMS generated reports.
Preparing lists of expected guest arrivals for the next day.
Closing financial activities for a day.
Starting financial activities for the next day.
Receiving and recording bank deposits.
Today, the PMS helps night auditors to a great extent in auditing and generating accurate reports. Here are some typical reports generated during night audit −
Night Audit Accommodation Report − It gives a snapshot of the days when accommodations are occupied, the days when the accommodations are available, check-ins, check-outs, no-shows, and cancellations. This report can show further details for any of the items listed above.
Night Audit Accommodation Report − It gives a snapshot of the days when accommodations are occupied, the days when the accommodations are available, check-ins, check-outs, no-shows, and cancellations. This report can show further details for any of the items listed above.
Night Audit Counter Report − It gives details on cash and credit card receipts and withdrawals.
Night Audit Counter Report − It gives details on cash and credit card receipts and withdrawals.
Night Audit Revenue Report − It delivers information on accommodation revenue, cancellation and no show revenue, and other POS revenue. Revenue generated through various agencies and bodies such as travel agents, corporate organizations, internet booking. etc., is also listed in this report.
Night Audit Revenue Report − It delivers information on accommodation revenue, cancellation and no show revenue, and other POS revenue. Revenue generated through various agencies and bodies such as travel agents, corporate organizations, internet booking. etc., is also listed in this report.
Night Audit Tax Report − Contains all the tax information on reservation revenue and other POS revenues such as VAT, luxury tax, and service tax.
Night Audit Tax Report − Contains all the tax information on reservation revenue and other POS revenues such as VAT, luxury tax, and service tax.
Cashier’s report − It is the detailed list of cashier activity of cash influx and out flux, credit cards, and PMS totals. Cashier’s report is very important part of the financial control system of a hotel. The front office manager reviews the night audit and looks for any divergences between the actual amount received and the PMS total.
Cashier’s report − It is the detailed list of cashier activity of cash influx and out flux, credit cards, and PMS totals. Cashier’s report is very important part of the financial control system of a hotel. The front office manager reviews the night audit and looks for any divergences between the actual amount received and the PMS total.
Manager’s Report − It is a statistical list of previous day’s occupancy. It includes details about available accommodations, occupied accommodations, sold and vacated accommodations, rack-rate, number of guests in the hotel, number of no-shows, and so on.
Manager’s Report − It is a statistical list of previous day’s occupancy. It includes details about available accommodations, occupied accommodations, sold and vacated accommodations, rack-rate, number of guests in the hotel, number of no-shows, and so on.
General Manager’s Report − Each department in the hotel is required to send daily sales report to the front office. Using their information, a departmental total report is generated for the general manager’s assessment. The General Manager determines the profit-generating departments and evaluates the success of sales and marketing.
General Manager’s Report − Each department in the hotel is required to send daily sales report to the front office. Using their information, a departmental total report is generated for the general manager’s assessment. The General Manager determines the profit-generating departments and evaluates the success of sales and marketing.
High Balance Report − This is a detailed report about the guests who have exceeded the credit limit set by the hotel management.
High Balance Report − This is a detailed report about the guests who have exceeded the credit limit set by the hotel management.
Ledger Balance Summary Report − It displays the opening and closing balances for the Advance Deposit Ledger, Guest Ledger, and City Ledger.
Ledger Balance Summary Report − It displays the opening and closing balances for the Advance Deposit Ledger, Guest Ledger, and City Ledger.
Room Rate Audit Report − It lists all rates that are applied to each guest and the difference from the rack rate with the predetermined rack code.
Room Rate Audit Report − It lists all rates that are applied to each guest and the difference from the rack rate with the predetermined rack code.
Here are some formulae used to balance night audit −
The formula for balancing bank deposit is −
Total Bank Deposits
   - Total Cash Sales
   - Credit card received A/R
   – Cash received A/R
= 0

The formula for balancing guest ledger is −
Total Revenue
   - Paid-outs and non-collect sales
= Daily revenue
   - Total cash income
   - Today’s outstanding A/R income
= 0

The formula for balancing city ledger is −
Yesterday's outstanding A/R
   + Today's outstanding A/R income
= Total outstanding A/R
   - Credit card received and applied to A/R
   – Cash received and applied to A/R
= balance of A/R

In any business organization, common procedures occur in sequence. They are linear. In addition, some procedures also repeat over a time. The organization needs to find out such linear and repeating procedures to compile them into sets of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
These procedures when compiled step by step, can prove to be an excellent learning material for training the newly joined staff in a short period of time.
Let us learn about a few SOPs followed in the front office department.
This is a procedure followed by the bell desk staff at the time of the guest’s arrival and departure. It goes as follows −
As a bellboy look for the new arrival of guest.
The guest vehicle stops at the hotel entrance.
Go ahead and open the vehicle door.
Greet the guest as, "Welcome to (hotel_name), I am (own_name). Do you need any help with your luggage?"
Help the elderly/disables guests to get out of the vehicle if required.
Take the luggage in charge and ensure that nothing is left in the vehicle.
Ask the guest’s name politely as, "May I know your name Sir/Madam?"
Tag the luggage with the guest name.
Ask if anything fragile or perishable is in the luggage.
Add this information on the luggage tag.
Inform the guest that their luggage is with you.
Escort the guest to the hotel reception.
Inform the guest that you will be taking care of their luggage.
With the other front office staff, find out the accommodation number allotted to the guest.
Write the accommodation number on the luggage tag.
Confirm if the guest registration formality is complete.
If the room is ready, take the luggage to the room by the staff elevator.
Place the luggage on the luggage rack.
If the room is not ready, then take the luggage to the store room.
Record the luggage details into the Daily Luggage Register.
Inform the guest that you are going to guest’s accommodation to collect the luggage.
Inform the guest that you are going to guest’s accommodation to collect the luggage.
Have an informal conversation with the guest as, "Mr./Ms. (Guest_Name), I hope you enjoyed your stay with us. Do you need an airport transport?"
Have an informal conversation with the guest as, "Mr./Ms. (Guest_Name), I hope you enjoyed your stay with us. Do you need an airport transport?"
Collect the luggage from the guest room.
Collect the luggage from the guest room.
If the guest needs to store the luggage for long term, tag the luggage with the guest name, accommodation number, date and time of collection, contact number, and receive the guest’s signature on long-term luggage request form.
If the guest needs to store the luggage for long term, tag the luggage with the guest name, accommodation number, date and time of collection, contact number, and receive the guest’s signature on long-term luggage request form.
Ensure with the guest that nothing perishable is there in the luggage.
Ensure with the guest that nothing perishable is there in the luggage.
Store the luggage on the designated departure area.
Store the luggage on the designated departure area.
If the guest is leaving the hotel immediately after check-out, then bring the luggage to the lobby.
If the guest is leaving the hotel immediately after check-out, then bring the luggage to the lobby.
If a transport vehicle is ready to go then place the luggage in the vehicle.
If a transport vehicle is ready to go then place the luggage in the vehicle.
Request the guest to verify the loaded luggage.
Request the guest to verify the loaded luggage.
Update the departure luggage movement on the Daily Luggage movement register.
Update the departure luggage movement on the Daily Luggage movement register.
The SOP goes as follows −
Pick up the incoming call in three rings.
Pick up the incoming call in three rings.
Greet the guest in the audible voice, introduce yourself, and ask how you can help the guest as, “Good (morning/evening), this is Mr./Ms. own_name, how may I help you?”
Greet the guest in the audible voice, introduce yourself, and ask how you can help the guest as, “Good (morning/evening), this is Mr./Ms. own_name, how may I help you?”
Wait for the guest to respond.
Wait for the guest to respond.
The guests say that he/she needs an accommodation in your hotel.
The guests say that he/she needs an accommodation in your hotel.
Tell the guest that it’s your pleasure.
Tell the guest that it’s your pleasure.
Take a new reservation form.
Take a new reservation form.
Inform the guest about the types of accommodations in your hotel and their respective charges.
Inform the guest about the types of accommodations in your hotel and their respective charges.
Ask for the guest’s name, contact number, and type of accommodation the guest wants.
Ask for the guest’s name, contact number, and type of accommodation the guest wants.
Ask for the guest’s dates of arrival and departure.
Ask for the guest’s dates of arrival and departure.
Check for availability of the accommodation during those dates.
Check for availability of the accommodation during those dates.
Briefly describe the amenities the hotel provides to its guests.
Briefly describe the amenities the hotel provides to its guests.
If the accommodation is available, inform the guest.
If the accommodation is available, inform the guest.
If exactly the same kind of accommodation is not available, ask the guest if he/she would care for another type of accommodation.
If exactly the same kind of accommodation is not available, ask the guest if he/she would care for another type of accommodation.
Note down the guest’s requirements related to the accommodation.
Note down the guest’s requirements related to the accommodation.
Ask the guest if an airport pickup/drop service is required.
Ask the guest if an airport pickup/drop service is required.
Ask how the guest would settle the bill: by cash, credit, or direct billing.
Ask how the guest would settle the bill: by cash, credit, or direct billing.
If the guest prefers by cash or by card, then insist to pay the part of cash in advance against booking charges or credit card details of the guest.
If the guest prefers by cash or by card, then insist to pay the part of cash in advance against booking charges or credit card details of the guest.
Inform about reservation with the guest name, contact number, accommodation type required, payment method, and confirmation number.
Inform about reservation with the guest name, contact number, accommodation type required, payment method, and confirmation number.
Conclude the conversation as, “Thank you for calling hotel_name, have a nice day!”
Conclude the conversation as, “Thank you for calling hotel_name, have a nice day!”
The SOP goes as follows −
Upon the guest’s arrival, greet the guest.
Ask the guest for his/her name politely.
Search the reservation record in the PMS.
Generate and print a registration card.
Handover a GRC to the guest for verifying printed details.
Request the guest to show the ID card from an authorized institute.
Request to show passport and visa in case of foreigner guest.
Request the guest to fill in the following details on the GRC −

Salutation
Designation
Organization
Business or Residence Address with City and ZIP Code
Purpose of Visit
Contact Number in case of Emergency
Passport Details
Visa Details


Salutation
Designation
Organization
Business or Residence Address with City and ZIP Code
Purpose of Visit
Contact Number in case of Emergency
Passport Details
Visa Details
Inform the guest about any early/late check-out policies.
Request the guest to sign on the GRC.
Counter-sign the GRC.
Update the details on the guest record.
Create a guest account.
Prepare copies of driving license/passport and visa.
Attach them to the GRC and file the entire set.
There are manual and automatic wakeup calls.
The guest can request for a wakeup call at the front office directly or by calling from his/her own accommodation.
The guest can request for a wakeup call at the front office directly or by calling from his/her own accommodation.
Ask the guest for a wake-up time and any immediate special request after getting up.
Ask the guest for a wake-up time and any immediate special request after getting up.
Open the Wakeup Call Register and enter the following information −

Salutation
Guest Name
Accommodation number
Wakeup date
Wakeup time
Any Special immediate request such as tea/coffee, etc.


Open the Wakeup Call Register and enter the following information −
Salutation
Salutation
Guest Name
Guest Name
Accommodation number
Accommodation number
Wakeup date
Wakeup date
Wakeup time
Wakeup time
Any Special immediate request such as tea/coffee, etc.
Any Special immediate request such as tea/coffee, etc.
Conclude the conversation by greeting the guest again.
Conclude the conversation by greeting the guest again.
Pass the special request for tea/coffee to the room service staff.
Pass the special request for tea/coffee to the room service staff.
At the time of wakeup call, follow the given steps −

Confirm the current time.
Call the guest’s accommodation number on telephone.
Greet the guest as per the time and inform about the current time and the progress on guest’s special request.


At the time of wakeup call, follow the given steps −
Confirm the current time.
Confirm the current time.
Call the guest’s accommodation number on telephone.
Call the guest’s accommodation number on telephone.
Greet the guest as per the time and inform about the current time and the progress on guest’s special request.
Greet the guest as per the time and inform about the current time and the progress on guest’s special request.
Most hotels facilitate their guests to set automatic wakeup call using their phones or televisions. The housekeeper must ensure that the printed instructions about setting an automatic call are kept handy and visible.
The guest can set automatic call which is notified at the PBX system and the PMS system. Even if the guest has set up an automatic call, it is the responsibility of the front office staff to give a manual wakeup call to the guest to avoid any chances of inconvenience.
The process of checking out generally is initiated by the guest. The guest calls up front office and asks to keep the bill ready.
The guest arrives at the front desk.
Greet the guest.
Print a copy of guest folio.
Hand it over to the guest for verification.
If there is any discrepancy, assure the guest about its solving.
Resolve the discrepancy immediately.
Apologize to the guest for inconvenience.
From the guest database, ensure the guest’s preference of payment method. Recite it to the guest.
Settle the guest account.
Print the receipt and give it to the guest.
Ask the guest if he/she needs any assistance for luggage.
Ask the guest if the transport facility to the airport is required.
Greet the guest for giving an opportunity to serve as, “Hope you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you. Good (morning/afternoon/night).
The guests initiate the cancellation of the reserved accommodation. The SOP goes as −
Request for the guest’s full name and reservation number.
Request for the guest’s full name and reservation number.
Search the guest database for the given name and reservation number.
Search the guest database for the given name and reservation number.
Recite the guest name, accommodation details and the date of reservation.
Recite the guest name, accommodation details and the date of reservation.
Ask the guest if he/she would like to postpone it.
Ask the guest if he/she would like to postpone it.
Request the guest for reason behind cancellation.
Request the guest for reason behind cancellation.
Record the reason in the PMS.
Record the reason in the PMS.
If the cancellation is being done by a person other than the guest, record the person’s name, contact number, and relation with the guest for information.
If the cancellation is being done by a person other than the guest, record the person’s name, contact number, and relation with the guest for information.
Inform the caller about any cancellation charges applicable according to the hotel policies.
Inform the caller about any cancellation charges applicable according to the hotel policies.
Cancel the reservation in the PMS.
Cancel the reservation in the PMS.
Inform the guest about e-mail for cancellation charges. Send the cancellation charges plus cancellation number to the guest by e-mail.
Inform the guest about e-mail for cancellation charges. Send the cancellation charges plus cancellation number to the guest by e-mail.
The front office staff needs to manage at least two sets of the keys. The number of sets may vary according to the guest policy. Accommodation numbers are not written on the keys, which creates problems when the keys are misplaced within or around the premises.
Request for the guest’s last name and accommodation number.
Request for the guest’s last name and accommodation number.
Check the information told by the guest against the one recorded in PMS.
Check the information told by the guest against the one recorded in PMS.
If there is any deviation, request the guest to provide photo ID card.
If there is any deviation, request the guest to provide photo ID card.
Do not give away the accommodation key without proper authentication.
Do not give away the accommodation key without proper authentication.
If the doubt about the guest arises and the guest refuses to cooperate, then inform the front office manager immediately.
If the doubt about the guest arises and the guest refuses to cooperate, then inform the front office manager immediately.
If any other superior front office staff member recognizes the guest, then you can give away the duplicate key.
If any other superior front office staff member recognizes the guest, then you can give away the duplicate key.
If the guest has lost the key and needs a new one, then ascertain that the guest has lost it.
If the guest has lost the key and needs a new one, then ascertain that the guest has lost it.
In the above case, program a new key with the same code.
In the above case, program a new key with the same code.
Present the newly created key to the guest.
Present the newly created key to the guest.
You must not issue accommodation keys to any person that claims to be sent by the guest for getting the keys. Yet, you can give them to a non-guest, if the guest has sent the person with a written authority letter addressed to the front office team. In such case, confirm by calling the guest and accompany the non-guest to the accommodation.
You must not issue accommodation keys to any person that claims to be sent by the guest for getting the keys. Yet, you can give them to a non-guest, if the guest has sent the person with a written authority letter addressed to the front office team. In such case, confirm by calling the guest and accompany the non-guest to the accommodation.
The authorized staff on duty is allowed to access the occupied guest accommodation for the purpose of professional work.
For example, the keys can be given for preparing vacated accommodation, laundry staff, mini-bar staff, and bell-boy to take out the guest luggage.
One thing for sure, always try to solve the guest’s accommodation problem as far as possible. Try selling hotel service by giving options than plainly denying to what the guest wants.
There are a number of reasons why a reservation staff needs to turn down the reservation request. These are few important ones −
The hotel is fully booked during busy seasons.
Guest is not interested to reserve after knowing rates.
The type of accommodation the guest desires is not available.
This is how you turn down a reservation gracefully −
When the guest calls to enquire, answer the call as, “Good (morning, evening), this is own_name from reservations. How may I help you?”
When the guest calls to enquire, answer the call as, “Good (morning, evening), this is own_name from reservations. How may I help you?”
The guest says he/she would like to reserve an accommodation.
The guest says he/she would like to reserve an accommodation.
Reply as, “Certainly (Sir/Madam). May I request you for your name, mobile number and email ID please?”
Reply as, “Certainly (Sir/Madam). May I request you for your name, mobile number and email ID please?”
The guest tells the same.
The guest tells the same.
Further ask, “And your company/travel agency name is?”
Further ask, “And your company/travel agency name is?”
The guest replies, “I am from (Company/TA name)”.
The guest replies, “I am from (Company/TA name)”.
Ask the guest about check-in and check-out dates required for reservation.
Ask the guest about check-in and check-out dates required for reservation.
Request the guest to hold the line till you search for availability of the desired accommodation.
Request the guest to hold the line till you search for availability of the desired accommodation.
Inform the guest approximately how much time you would take to find out.
Inform the guest approximately how much time you would take to find out.
Put the call on hold and check availability.
Put the call on hold and check availability.
Convey the non-availability of the desired type of accommodation to the guest politely as, “Sorry sir/madam, “(all the accommodations are occupied/the desired type of accommodation is not available)”.
Convey the non-availability of the desired type of accommodation to the guest politely as, “Sorry sir/madam, “(all the accommodations are occupied/the desired type of accommodation is not available)”.
Suggest the guest about a nearby sister-concern hotel, if any.
Suggest the guest about a nearby sister-concern hotel, if any.
Suggest the guest to take other similar kind of accommodation by describing its amenities.
Suggest the guest to take other similar kind of accommodation by describing its amenities.
If the guest doesn’t agree to it, turn away politely as, “Sorry sir, then we don’t have any other available accommodation.”
If the guest doesn’t agree to it, turn away politely as, “Sorry sir, then we don’t have any other available accommodation.”
Record the guest data in the PMS along with the ‘Turn away’ reason.
Record the guest data in the PMS along with the ‘Turn away’ reason.
Hotel business is of a kind that needs to provide a myriad range of services to its guests such as food, accommodation, transport, recreational services, and so on. Since the front office contributes major portion in coordinating the services requested by the guests, it needs a system that can help the front office staff to sell services and track them seamlessly and simultaneously.
The front office information system includes mainly the property management system. Let us see, what PMS is and how useful it is for handling hotel management functions smoothly.
A Property Management System (PMS) is a software system employed to handle basic objectives of all the departments in the hotel business and coordinate functions between them for optimum business outcomes.
A PMS is required for the hotel staff for the following reasons −
It integrates all critical operations of the hotel on one platform.
It integrates all critical operations of the hotel on one platform.
It provides real-time information on accommodations, reservations, restaurants, spas, bars, and about every working arm of the hotel.
It provides real-time information on accommodations, reservations, restaurants, spas, bars, and about every working arm of the hotel.
It provides highly accurate information which is helpful for the management to plan new goals and handle the investments in a better way.
It provides highly accurate information which is helpful for the management to plan new goals and handle the investments in a better way.
It boosts the efficiency of the front office staff and in turn maximizes the performance of the hotel business.
It boosts the efficiency of the front office staff and in turn maximizes the performance of the hotel business.
It simplifies the time-taking or complex operations otherwise done manually.
It simplifies the time-taking or complex operations otherwise done manually.
It works for the convenience of the hotel staff, managing body, as well as the guests.
It works for the convenience of the hotel staff, managing body, as well as the guests.
There are two basic types of PMS −
Local PMS − They have large technical requirements such as workstation, Computer/workstation, Data server, Terminal servers, Operating system, Network cards, and Removable back-up systems.
Local PMS − They have large technical requirements such as workstation, Computer/workstation, Data server, Terminal servers, Operating system, Network cards, and Removable back-up systems.
Cloud-based PMS − They mainly need computers/workstation and Internet connection.
Cloud-based PMS − They mainly need computers/workstation and Internet connection.
Availing the PMS
Owner needs to purchase the PMS hardware and software.
Owner needs to take subscription from a PMS vendor.
Requirement of Internet Connection
No
Yes, a reliable high speed connection is mandatory.
System and Access
PMS software and data reside on a server to which multiple terminals are connected.
The PMS is accessed from a program installed on each terminal.
PMS software and data reside on a shared server at the PMS vendor’s data center.
Users access the system through a Web browser from anywhere, anytime.
Requirement of On-site IT expertise
Yes
No
Advantages
Does not rely on an Internet connection.
Reduces concerns about online data security.
Robust functionality for vast amount of data.
Less costs of hardware or IT.
No technical and data security responsibility on owner.
Affordable subscription pricing.
Simple, quick set-up.
Easy access from anywhere, anytime.
Automatic data back-up.
Integrated Web bookings.
Free system upgrades.
Scalable and adaptable.
Disadvantages
Requires complex and expensive hardware.
Unreachable from remote areas.
Expensive and complicated to maintain and upgrade.
Time-consuming, software installation and training.
Additional costs and hardware needed for enabling web-based features
Responsibility of system and data security is owner’s headache.
On-site IT expertise is required.
Not suitable for properties without a reliable Internet connection.
High concerns over online security.
Mark on Timeline
It is a traditional solution.
It is a contemporary solution.
Pricing
Capital expenditure and operational expenditure both; for hardware, software and its updates, and IT expert’s charges.
Operational expenses for renewing subscription.
Some popular PMS: Autoclerk, Skyware MSICloud, CloudPM, eZee Frontdesk, Hotelogix, Hetello, Hoteliga, OpenHotel, OPERA PMS, are to name a few.
A PMS takes care of each department in the hotel. These are the commonly available features among PMS −
Reservation
Registration
Accommodation status
Guest and non-guest accounts
Cash handling
Night auditing
Reports
Guest database for market segmentation
Guest history
Yield management
Travel agents information as clients
Reports for goals
Performance evaluation by comparative analysis
Lost and found
Accommodation status
Laundry charges
POS sales
Material inventory
Periodic sales reports
Standard recipes
Individual staff member’s records regarding shifts, attendance, and appraisals.
Account payables and receivables
Payroll
Balance sheet
Profit/Loss reports
Outgoing and incoming call records with date, time, place, duration, and charges.
The following concerns are considered while selecting an appropriate PMS −
Size of the property: The number of accommodations
Number of locations
Number of employees
Property service policies
Budget for technical resources and training
Nearest future growth
User-friendly design that fosters intuitive navigation through logical order of tasks.
Training expertise and time period required to train the staff.
Hotel’s online presence.
Guest-oriented functionality.
Scalability.

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