5 Secret Perks of Working in Hotels

  • Working Odd Hours
  • Enjoying Leftovers
  • Building Emotional Intelligence
  • Earning Extra Cash
  • Location, Location, Location

Working in hotels is both challenging and rewarding. It requires a high tolerance for demanding guests and the willingness to wear very specific clothing every day. Those who are on the fence about hotel employment should consider these five perks before applying to other types of jobs.

Related resource: Top 15 Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Degree Online Programs

1. Working Odd Hours

Most people outside of the hotel industry think that the odd work schedule would be a downfall of hotel employees. While the late nights, overnights, and long shifts can be challenging at times, most hotel employees consider the equally odd time off to be a hidden perk. They never have to take time off of work for medical and other appointments that can only be made Monday through Friday during normal working hours. They avoid commuter traffic and crowded stores, and they never have to wait for the best table at restaurants and coffee shops.

2. Enjoying Leftovers

One reason why people enjoy working at restaurants is that they get to keep leftovers. Imagine the hidden perks of working at a place that has at least one restaurant and hosts many of its own catered parties throughout the week. That place is called a hotel, and many hotel employees rave about the wide range of event leftovers they get to take home. The fancier the hotel, the fancier the leftovers employees get to sample. This is a great opportunity to try strange delicacies that you would never spend money on otherwise.

3. Building Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify and appropriately respond to one’s own emotions and those of others. Building up this skill is another hidden perk of working in hotels. Hotel patrons come in all personality types, so hotel employees must learn to deal with all different types of people. They must be able to switch rapidly from one personality and situation to another. In The Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, Sheila A. Scott-Halsell, Shane C. Blum, and Lynn Huffman explain more about the link between hospitality and emotional intelligence.

4. Earning Extra Cash

Many people are discouraged from working in hotels by the salary. On the surface, most hotel positions are not particularly lucrative. Underneath that base salary, however, lies the hidden perk of multiple opportunities to make extra money. Hotel employees enjoy some of the highest tips and bonus opportunities. They are eligible for many discounts on various goods and services. Many hotels also offer excellent benefits packages to employees who work past a certain probation period.

5. Location, Location, Location

Most hotels are part of chains that are located all across the country, and in many cases, all across the globe. One hidden perk that most people do not think or know about is how easy it is to transfer between locations. Hotels enjoy retaining employees for long periods of time, and they are generally very open to granting employee requests for both temporary and permanent transfers to its various locations. This is a great way to see the world and try living in different places. The majority of hotels tend to be in exciting destinations, adding yet another perk to the mix

Every occupation has its hazards, and working in hotels is no exception. From difficult customers to weird hours, some of these challenges are actually hidden perks. In many ways, working in hotels is like being on vacation every single day.