The posting
Hotel Royal Oak | Royal Oak, Michigan Hospitality • Guest Experience • Cocktails
Hotel Royal Oak isn't your typical hotel, and we're not looking for a typical front desk agent.
We're looking for an experienced hospitality professional who can confidently run a front desk, make a great cocktail, connect with guests, and help create the atmosphere that makes people want to come back.
This is a hybrid Front Desk Attendant + Bartender position. Depending on the shift, you may be checking guests into the hotel, helping someone discover their new favorite record, making cocktails in the Hi-Fi Lobby or Vinyl Room, recommending somewhere to eat in Royal Oak, or simply making sure the property feels welcoming, fun, and taken care of.
If you've worked in hotels, restaurants, cocktail bars, or hospitality-driven environments and enjoy being around people, we'd like to meet you.
ABOUT HOTEL ROYAL OAK
Hotel Royal Oak is an independent 55-room boutique hotel in Royal Oak, Michigan with a personality all its own.
Our property includes the Hi-Fi Lobby + Bar, Vinyl Room, Bridge Billiards Lounge, Vibe Pavilion and outdoor gathering spaces alongside our guest rooms.
We're building something that sits somewhere between a boutique hotel, neighborhood hangout, cocktail bar and really great house party.
Our team doesn't just operate the hotel, we create the experience.
This isn't a position where you stand behind a desk all night.
You'll be expected to move comfortably between hotel operations, guest service and beverage service while maintaining the personality and standards of Hotel Royal Oak.
Front Desk + Guest Experience
- Welcome and check guests in and out of the hotel
- Manage reservations, payments and guest accounts
- Answer phones, texts and guest questions
- Assist with room assignments and reservation changes
- Handle guest concerns confidently and professionally
- Provide recommendations for Royal Oak and the surrounding area
- Communicate with housekeeping, maintenance and hotel leadership
- Monitor hotel activity and help maintain a safe, welcoming environment
- Keep the lobby and guest-facing spaces organized and presentation-ready
- Help create memorable guest experiences instead of simply completing transactions
Bartending + Beverage Service
- Prepare beer, wine, spirits and craft cocktails
- Follow cocktail recipes, specifications and build standards
- Provide knowledgeable and engaging bar service
- Maintain proper pours and responsible alcohol service
- Set up, stock and break down bar areas
- Maintain clean and organized bar stations
- Handle Toast POS transactions and guest tabs
- Monitor liquor, mixers, garnishes and bar supplies
- Assist with bar prep and restocking
- Help maintain the atmosphere and energy of our bar and lounge spaces
And yes, we have a room dedicated to vinyl.
In the Vinyl Room, we play sides, not songs. You'll help guests navigate the record collection, take requests and maintain the atmosphere while protecting the equipment and records that make the room special.
Requirements
We're especially interested in candidates who already have experience in both guest service and bartending.
You should be comfortable working independently, making decisions and taking ownership of your shift without needing a manager standing next to you.
Strong candidates will have:
- Previous hotel front desk, hospitality or comparable guest-service experience
- Previous bartending experience
- Working knowledge of spirits, beer, wine and basic cocktail preparation
- Experience handling cash and POS systems
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Confidence handling difficult guest situations professionally
- Ability to multitask in an environment where priorities can change quickly
- Strong attention to cleanliness and presentation
- Reliable attendance and punctuality
- Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed
- Comfort working independently while knowing when something needs to be escalated
Experience with hotel PMS systems, Toast or similar hospitality technology is a plus.
YOU'LL PROBABLY LOVE THIS JOB IF...
You genuinely like talking to people.
You can read a room.
You'd rather solve a guest's problem than immediately call a manager.
You know the difference between simply pouring a drink and providing hospitality.
You care about music, cocktails, hotels, design, food, nightlife—or at least a few of those things.
You notice when something doesn't look right and fix it without being asked.
You can be professional without feeling corporate.
And you're comfortable working somewhere where the front desk and the bar are both part of the guest experience.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Our best team members know the property, know the drinks, know the neighborhood and know how to make guests feel like they're staying somewhere special.
You'll be trusted to take ownership of your shift, communicate with the rest of the team and help keep the hotel running smoothly.
We're looking for someone who wants to become an important part of the property—not simply clock in, work a station and leave.
SCHEDULE
This position may include a combination of:
- Afternoon and evening front desk shifts
- Bartending shifts
- Weekend shifts
- Special events
- Holiday availability
Schedule and weekly hours will be discussed during the interview based on experience and availability.
Benefits
Hourly base pay $17 + tips for eligible bartending shifts
Compensation will be based on hospitality and bartending experience.
Accrued PTO
WHY HOTEL ROYAL OAK?
Because independent hospitality is different.
We're small enough that great employees have an impact. You'll know the guests, know your coworkers and have the opportunity to take ownership instead of being one person buried inside a giant hotel operation.
If you're an experienced bartender who understands hospitality, or an experienced hotel professional who knows your way around a bar, we'd love to hear from you.
Good music. Good people. Great drinks.
Come work with us at Hotel Royal Oak.
