Front Desk Receptionist

Front Desk Host & Historic Concierge

The Wayside Inn 1797 – Middletown, VA

Overview

When a guest pulls up to the Wayside Inn 1797, they aren't just checking into a room; they are stepping into over 200 years of Shenandoah Valley history. As our Front Desk Host, you are the narrator of that story. We are looking for a poised, sharp-witted professional who can balance the technical side of modern hospitality with the timeless charm of a historic boutique inn.

This is a role for the curious and the capable. If you enjoy the art of a perfect first impression, have a soft spot for history, and love the challenge of staying three steps ahead of a guest’s needs, you will find a home here.

The Wayside Standard: Our Expectations

• The "Eagle Eye" for Hospitality: You notice the little things that make a big difference... a flickering lamp that needs a bulb replaced, a guest who looks like they might need an extra pillow, or a coffee bar that needs a quick tidy. You treat the lobby and parlors with the same care you would your own living room.
• Proactive Problem Solving: We trust our team to be thinkers. When a guest has a question or an unexpected situation arises, we look to you to find a creative solution in the moment. You understand that "I'll have to check with my manager" is a last resort. You take pride in being the person who "makes it happen." in a way that makes sense.
• Professional Communication: You are the voice of the Inn. Whether you’re explaining our 1797 origins during a room escort or handling an inquiry via email, your communication is clear, thoughtful, and polished. You understand that in our world, calling a business to make reservations or writing out directions so the guests don't have to google it, is just part of making the guests experience top notch.
• A "Team-First" Spirit: At a historic property, no two days are exactly alike. You are someone who is happy to jump in where needed... whether that’s helping a morning housekeeper finish a room during a rush or walking out back to help a Harvest Host guest navigate their RV electric hookup. You see how your performance impacts those around you, guests and coworkers alike.

The "Mutual Respect" Pact

We believe that a happy, respected team is the secret to a happy guest. We offer a level of flexibility and trust that is rare in this industry:

• Life-First Flexibility: We know your life doesn't stop when your shift starts. If a school delay happens or a family emergency pops up, we don't expect you to navigate it with a "corporate" rules. We trust you to communicate with us through our app, and we work together to ensure the desk is covered.
• The "Innkeeper’s Perk": One of the best parts of working at a boutique inn is the property itself. When we have the space, our team is welcome to stay in an empty room for the night to truly experience the "Old World" charm they sell every day.
• Total Transparency: Through our team app, you’ll always have the "inside scoop" before you even walk through the door. You’ll see your check-ins, maintenance notes, and housekeeping updates in real-time so you can start your shift with confidence. Long gone are the days of not knowing what policies have changed while you were at home and playing catchup. You'll know when we know, and often times, your feedback based on your experiences, are what help to shape those changes. We welcome your opinions, because *you* are the one who sees the issues as they arise.
• Performance-Based Growth: We don't just want you to work here; we want you to grow here. We conduct Quarterly Performance Reviews to ensure we are supporting your goals and to discuss performance-based pay increases as you master the "Wayside Way.".

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Provide a warm, professional welcome to every guest and visitor.
• Master the brief history of the Inn to share with guests during room escorts and study our full history so you can be the best tour guide in the Shenandoah Valley.
• Manage the "Front of House" aesthetic, keeping the porch, lobby, and parlors inviting and orderly.
• Handle administrative tasks and guest correspondence across multiple digital platforms with a high degree of accuracy.
• Morning Shift: Assist with light housekeeping duties to ensure rooms are ready for new arrivals. This may include pulling a stray weed, or shoveling a pathway to the parking lot, but those aren't everyday tasks by any means.
• Evening Shift: Assist with RV parking, hookups, and evening guest requests. Be prepared to not only walk guests to their rooms, but help carry bags from their car and up the staircases. We make our guests feel like they just got home when they arrive here, and that level of care is what sets us apart, because it's been done that way for hundreds of years.

Requirements

• Stellar Critical Thinking: The ability to resolve guest inquiries independently and professionally.
• Physical Agility: Comfortable walking multiple flights of stairs and standing for extended periods.
• Reliability: A commitment to being the "anchor" of the Inn during your scheduled shift.
• Communication: Fluent in English (written and verbal) for professional guest and team interactions.

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Pay: $13.41 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Application Question(s):

• A guest asks a question you don't immediately know the answer to. Instead of promising a callback from a manager, how do you use the resources at the desk to ensure the guest leaves the conversation satisfied?
• If the Inn's Executive Director is unavailable and a caller insists on speaking with them "right now," how would you professionally redirect them to email while making them feel their message is important?
• You are showing a guest to their room and notice a small cobweb in the corner of the hallway. How do you handle that moment while maintaining the "prestigious" feel of the tour?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $13