Front Office Operation ( A Practical Approach)

Book excerpt: The Front Office or the Reception is the show window of the hotel and is the department responsible for the sale of hotel rooms through systematic reservations of hotel rooms, followed by registration and assigning the rooms to the guest. The front office could be called the control centre of the rooms division, providing 24-hour attention towards the handling and service of all guest requirements and needs.The Front Office employees play a vital role in the creation of a positive first and final impression, and the establishment of an on-going rapport with guests. In addition, the front office employees are influential in shaping the city's perception and judgement of the hotel through contact with restaurant patrons and visitors to the hotel. As the front office is the front of the organization, its personnel and staff is under constant observation by guests and visitors. It ensures that the guest arriving at the hotel are received, luggage handled and the formalities of check-in completed.A warm welcome, a smile, courtesy and genuine politeness contributes to a guest's satisfaction. As the front office is the first department that meets the guest, the first impression it creates is a lasting one and is the most crucial.All services and facilities available in the rooms as well as in the hotel are explained to the guests by the front office. The front office is also responsible for communication and for maintaining records of the guests who have stayed in the hotel and also develop a strong and positive working relationship with all other departments to develop an empathy with the problems that they may be encountering. The department is headed by a Front Office Manager/Room Division Manager.