Welcoming Hotel Guests

First impressions have the power to make or break a guest's experience. The
way you welcome guests is critical as it is the first point of contact on-site. Your
greeting is an opportunity to immediately make a hotel guest feel at ease, so make
the most of it. It's a way of initiating conversation and dismantling barriers erected by
the unknown, as well as an opportunity to connect with people who can help you
achieve great things and form a personal bond.

Simple tricks for providing the perfect welcome include smiling, attending to
the guest as soon as possible, and if you're busy, acknowledging their presence and
then returning to your work until you can assist them. By anticipating and responding
to their questions, you can help a guest feel at ease and confident that they made
the right choice when deciding where to stay. Next, we will discuss the ten best ways
to greet guests to create the ideal hotel welcoming experience.

The best practices for greeting hotel guests

We've mentioned a few strategies for welcoming guests briefly, but now we'll
delve deeper into some of the best ways to greet guests.

Dress to the nines

Given the importance of first impressions, your staff must be dressed to

impress. One way to accomplish this is to provide uniforms for staff, which enables
customers to quickly identify who they should contact for assistance. Additionally,
uniforms convey a sense of professionalism that cannot be conveyed when
everyone is dressed differently. Psychologically, when your staff feels good about
what they're wearing or how they look, it instills confidence in them, which is
reflected in their work. Additionally, it can assist them in providing superior service
and performing their duties more efficiently simply because they feel good about
themselves and want to represent the hotel's brand as effectively as possible. If your
property's style and brand are very informal and a traditional uniform would be
inappropriate, ensure that staff wear a clear, visible name tag or something else that
immediately identifies them.

Pose inquiries

Questions are an excellent way to establish an immediate connection with

guests. People love to talk about themselves, and allowing them to do so
immediately helps guests feel at ease. Because there is typically a lot of paperwork
to complete upon arrival (well, there doesn't have to be if you're using an application
since you have to put your details in the application), asking questions about their
journey and plans during their visit can help make the process more pleasant; this
way, you can also capitalize on opportunities to upsell your services, tours, and
amenities. In essence, asking questions is a quick way to conduct market research
and determine what your guests want.

A simple smile can go a long way.

"When I smile, the world smiles back at me," as the proverb goes. Create a
welcome greeting that incorporates this way of life. Nothing beats being greeted with
a warm smile and a genuine inquiry about your well-being following a long journey.
Additionally, a smile is an excellent icebreaker.

Make an offer of assistance

Offering to assist another person can also go a long way, even if your offer is
frequently politely declined. Ascertain whether they require assistance with their
luggage or would like to be shown around the premises. Assisting your guests is an
excellent way to go above and beyond the call of duty and leave a lasting
impression. Maintain a pleasant demeanor, even if you're pressed for time. Because
the hospitality industry is so fast-paced, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the
amount of work required. Being stressed is unavoidable, but do not allow your
guests to see your stress. Even if you're busy, be courteous to your guests and
inform them that you're busy but will try to see them as soon as possible. This will
reassure them and make them forget about the wait.

Make your guests feel unique

There is never a shortage of opportunities to make your guests feel special.

Consult the booking to determine whether they are celebrating a birthday or another
special occasion. If this is the case, make a note of the special occasion during
check-in. This will make a significant difference. If you want to take it a step further,
why not greet them with a bottle of champagne or flowers in their room?

Indicate the hotel's points of interest.

Make a guest feel at ease upon check-in by providing information about the
hotel's key features, such as the bathroom, restaurant, pool, and other services and
amenities. The information can be easily conveyed without feeling like an upsell, and
it's an excellent way to inform guests that you offer a variety of services.
Anticipate and respond to the questions that guests will ask.

Everyone enjoys the sensation of being read. Tourists all have similar doubts
and questions, so be sure to address the most frequently asked ones when greeting
newcomers. Nowadays, virtual concierge service is an excellent way to ensure that
your customers' needs are met at all times. Guests are in control of their experience
when they use a digital concierge. They can communicate with you in real-time, and
you can respond quickly to questions, allowing you to provide exceptional service
even when it's just answering a simple question. Additionally, check-ins and
check-outs can be anticipated, allowing guests to check in and out using their cell
phones and laptops, thereby reducing wait times at the hotel front desk.

Give precise wait times

While you may be busy, you should never be too busy to inform the customer
how long it will take to attend to them. By providing accurate wait times, guests will
not become frustrated by the wait and will even get a more realistic picture if they
have time to do other things while waiting for assistance, such as obtain information
from the concierge or use the restroom. Communication is critical for reassuring your
clients and demonstrating your concern.

Establish a line of communication between you and the guest

Compliments go a long way, so if you admire someone's earrings or

someone’s sweatshirt that features your college's logo, tell him or her.
Complimenting others is an excellent way to initiate conversation and establish a
connection. Additionally, it's a way to make them feel good. Also, make sure that you
do it politely.

Conclusion
We've discussed how critical first impressions are when guests check into
your hotel, and how they're greeted can have a positive impact. This initial
connection serves as the foundation for the remainder of their hotel experience, so
make a point of greeting guests warmly. Begin by establishing contact, asking
pertinent questions, or providing information that they are likely to seek out, such as
important points of interest within the hotel. Maintain a pleasant demeanor
regardless of how busy you are, and inform people how long they will have to wait
before you can assist them. Managing expectations and making a positive first
impression are critical components of providing an exceptional hotel experience.
Making guests feel special by smiling and offering assistance will leave a lasting
impression, increasing retention rates and enhancing your hotel's reputation both
online and offline. Most importantly, never underestimate the importance of initial
contact in establishing lifelong clients.