Palma Host

Join the iconic Santa Monica Proper Hotel, where historic charm meets contemporary luxury in the heart of Santa Monica. As a seamless merger of historic retrofit and new construction, our 267-room boutique hotel showcases stunning interior design by international style icon Kelly Wearstler, tantalizing dining options by local culinary stars, and a show-stopping rooftop lounge and swimming pool. With 16,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting and event space, we create unforgettable experiences for our guests.

Located within the elegant Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Palma offers an intimate and refined dining experience showcasing the vibrant culinary heritage of Southern California. This sophisticated restaurant features warm, inviting interiors with natural elements, custom furnishings, and artistic touches that create a stylish yet comfortable atmosphere. We're seeking a polished, charismatic Host to join our team at Palma.

Our most successful candidates bring a minimum of 2-4 years of experience from renowned hotel restaurants, private clubs, or signature hospitality venues. Your expertise should reflect an innate ability to create memorable first impressions, coordinate sophisticated dining room operations, and embody the gracious hospitality that defines our luxury rooftop experience. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, an intuitive understanding of guest needs, and the poise to manage high-profile clientele with discretion and warmth.

Job Responsibilities

• Create exceptional first impressions by warmly greeting and welcoming all guests
• Manage reservations using the hotel's booking system with precision and attentiveness
• Coordinate seating arrangements to optimize both guest experience and restaurant flow
• Escort guests to tables with polished presence and personalized attention
• Anticipate guest needs and provide thoughtful, proactive service at every opportunity
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of menu offerings, daily specials, and signature cocktails
• Communicate effectively with service team to ensure seamless dining experiences
• Monitor dining room activity to identify and address service opportunities in real-time
• Handle guest inquiries and special requests with grace and efficiency
• Participate regularly in ongoing service trainings to continuously elevate hospitality standards
• Attend all department meetings to stay aligned with property initiatives and service goals
• Collaborate with management on VIP protocols and special event preparations
• Maintain immaculate appearance of host stand and entrance areas
• Accurately track wait times and manage guest expectations with transparency
• Resolve service challenges with a solution-oriented approach
• Support the service team during high-volume periods when needed
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of hotel amenities and local attractions
• Execute closing procedures with attention to detail
• Uphold Calabra's commitment to providing personalized, anticipatory service
• Embody the Santa Monica Proper's luxury standards in all guest interactions
• Build genuine rapport with return guests to foster loyalty and recognition
• Maintain detailed guest preference notes within the reservation system
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Proficient in restaurant reservation systems (OpenTable, Resy, or similar platforms)
• Minimum 2 years of hosting experience in luxury hospitality environments
• Proven track record in upscale restaurants, hotel dining, or private clubs
• Experience managing high-volume reservations and sophisticated dining operations
• Excellent memory for guest preferences and recognition
• Professional telephone etiquette and correspondence skills
• Capacity to stand for extended periods (6-8 hours) and navigate dining room terrain
• Ability to maintain composure and deliver consistent service during peak periods'

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Hospitality or related degree preferred
• Formal hospitality training a plus

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in similar position.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional guest service orientation with ability to anticipate needs
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written
• Polished telephone etiquette for handling reservations and inquiries
• Strong interpersonal abilities to build rapport with diverse clientele
• Excellent memory for guest recognition and personal preferences

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and remain mobile for extended periods (6-8 hours per shift)
• Capacity to traverse various surfaces throughout the restaurant and rooftop areas
• Ability to work in changing outdoor weather conditions, including sun exposure, wind, and temperature fluctuations
• Stamina to maintain consistent service standards during high-volume periods
• Physical dexterity to navigate between tables, guests, and service staff
• Ability to hear and respond to guest requests in a potentially noisy environment
• Visual acuity to monitor dining room activity and read reservation details
• Capability to work in varying lighting conditions (bright daytime sun to evening mood lighting)

Company Overview Proper Hospitality is a diverse team of passionate individuals who share a common love for hotels and the art of hospitality. Our philosophy is simple: there is a right way to do things, and anything less just isn’t proper. We are seeking the best of the best—both within and outside the industry—to join us in building a new kind of lifestyle hospitality company, inspired by a centuries-old tradition. Our work is challenging and fast-paced, but above all, it is rewarding.

To achieve our vision—to inspire and transport people—we seek like-minded candidates who embody our ethos, The Pillars of Proper:

• Care Proper: We are natural and gracious hosts to all.
• Achieve Proper: We are committed to excellence.
• Imagine Proper: We are resourceful.
• Present Proper: We have an appreciation for style and culture.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.