Palma Host (Part-time)

Host at Palma

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. Nestled within Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Palma offers an elevated dining experience that celebrates coastal California ingredients with European finesse. The restaurant's warm, sophisticated atmosphere features natural materials, earth tones, and modern design elements that complement its refined yet approachable cuisine. We're seeking an experienced, passionate 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.

Position Overview

The Host serves as the first point of contact for our guests, creating welcoming first impressions while efficiently managing reservations, seating arrangements, and dining room flow. This role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and a genuine passion for hospitality. Previous restaurant experience is preferred, along with a professional appearance and flexible availability including weekends and holidays. Join our team and be part of creating exceptional dining experiences that blend Italian warmth with California sophistication.

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 Palma'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

Qualification Standards

Your role demands an elevated understanding of fine dining operations, including:

• 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)

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we're committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it's an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.