A hotel porter welcomes guests, carries their luggage to and from their room and arranges various services such as taxis and restaurant bookings. They are sometimes referred to as a concierge, usually when at a senior level.

The Work

You could be:

• greeting guests and carrying luggage to and from their room
• showing guests to their room and explaining the facilities
• parking guests' cars
• taking and delivering messages to guests
• looking after keys and left luggage
• answering guests’ questions about the hotel and local points of interest
• arranging transport and making restaurant and theatre bookings for guests
• keeping the lobby and reception area tidy and collecting hotel laundry
• moving furniture and setting up rooms for conferences and events.

As a hotel night porter (night shift) you might have to cover for many different jobs:

• covering the reception desk, dealing with enquiries by phone and face-to-face
• using the computer to check in guests arriving late, and check out those leaving early
• preparing and delivering late night snacks to guests’ rooms
• assisting in the bar
• collecting and delivering the morning papers
• dealing alone with problems arising in the night; if necessary transferring guests into a different room
• setting up equipment and coffee for early morning conferences
• if there is a fire or emergency making sure that guests are evacuated safely.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2022 the National Minimum Wage is £4.81 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17, £6.83 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 and £9.18 an hour for workers aged 21 to 22. The National Living Wage is £9.50 for workers aged 23 and over. This can rise to around £9.00 an hour.

You might boost your income with tips, shift allowances and overtime.

If you live in, there may be a deduction for board and lodging.

Conditions

• You work shifts, including early mornings, nights and weekends.
• Hours can be variable but on average are around 40 hours a week.
• You may be on call sometimes even when you’re not on duty.
• You might have to live-in.
• Some hotels are in remote areas such as parts of the Highlands and Islands.
• The work may be seasonal, with lay-offs in winter.
• This is an active job.
• You have to carry heavy loads, possibly up and down stairs, and move heavy furniture.
• You will wear a uniform provided by the hotel.

Getting In

• You do not need formal qualifications but a good general education is useful.
• You could study the Foundation Apprenticeship in Hospitality (SCQF Level 4 or 5) in S3-S6, which gives you an introduction into working in the hospitality industry. 
• You could study the Skills for Work (SfW) Hospitality at National 4 or 5.
• Applicants must be over 18 if they have to serve alcohol.
• You must be physically fit.
• A driving licence is useful.

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• a smart appearance
• a friendly welcoming approach
• a calm, patient and polite manner
• local knowledge
• a good memory - for information and people
• excellent organisational skills
• strong customer service skills
• excellent communication skills
• leadership skills if you are a head porter.

You need to be:

• honest and reliable
• able to work alone
• respectful of guests' privacy.

Training

• Training is mainly on the job.
• While working you can study for the SVQ Hospitality Services at SCQF Level 4.

Getting On

• There are hotels in every Scottish town and city as well as in rural areas. There is generally a good range of vacancies in jobcentres, especially for night porters.
• With experience, you could become a head porter (concierge), and then go on to supervisory and front of house management posts. An additional SVQ in Hospitality Services at SCQF Level 5 might help your promotion chances.
• You might have to move around to get more senior positions, particularly with smaller employers.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.