The manager of a hotel or motel is responsible for the profitable operation of the facility and for the comfort and satisfaction of its guests.
The manager is responsible for setting room rates and credit policies, the operation of the kitchen and dining rooms, and the housekeeping, accounting, and maintenance departments. In a large hotel or motel, the manager may have several assistants who manage some parts of the operation while, in small facilities, the manager may handle all aspects of the business personally including front-desk clerical work such as taking reservations. This is especially true in owner-operated facilities.
Hotels and motels that have a restaurant and/or cocktail lounge usually employ a restaurant manager or food and beverage manager to oversee these functions since this is usually an important part of the hotel's business.
Some hotel and motel managers are self-employed, while most others work for large hotel and motel chains.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Managers and their families very often live in the hotel or motel they manage, and they are on call at all times. Owner-operators often work very long hours.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Initiative, self-discipline, and a knack for organization are necessary in this field. Summer or part-time work in a hotel, motel, or restaurant is helpful.
Although small hotels, motels, and restaurants do not have specific educational requirements, they do require experience for manager positions. Some employers, especially in larger facilities, require a bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant administration.
Training is also available at many junior and community colleges, technical institutes, vocational and trade schools, and other academic institutions.
Some large hotels have on-the-job management programs in which trainees rotate among various departments to acquire a thorough knowledge of the hotel's operation.
Potential and Advancement
There are about 48,400 hotel and motel managers in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that demand for lodging managers will grow by 8% between 2014 and 2024, providing decent opportunities for people interested in this field.
Assistant managers can advance to manager positions, but they often advance by moving to a larger hotel. Hotel and motel chains usually provide better opportunities for advancement than independent hotels since employees can transfer to another hotel in the chain or to the central office.
Income
Salaries of hotel and motel managers and assistants depend on the size, location, and sales volume of the facility.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, hotel and motel managers earned a median salary of $49,720 in 2015.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that hotel managers can earn bonuses of up to 25 percent of their salary, and can be accommodated with meals, parking, laundry, and other services as job perks. Hotel managers may also enjoy benefits such as profit-sharing and in some cases, housing and educational assistance may also be provided.
Related Jobs
Related jobs include hotel general manager, hotel clerk, bellhop, meeting hotel general manager, hotel clerk convention planner, concierge, maître d', executive chef, gaming dealer, maids and housekeeping cleaner, and reservation ticket agent.
