How to Become a Hotel Porter

What does a Hotel Porter do?

Hotel porters are often the first people to greet guests at a hotel. They help guests by carrying luggage and showing them to their room; advising on hotel facilities; arranging taxis and parking cars; looking after keys; and running errands, such as taking and picking up dry cleaning. They also take messages, give directions, answer queries and make reservations.

If the hotel has a conference suite, the porter may be responsible for moving and setting up equipment. In a large hotel, duties may be more specialised.

What's the working environment like for a Hotel Porter?

Full-time hotel porters usually work around 40 hours a week on a shift system, depending on the hotel. Part- time or seasonal work may be possible. Split shifts and overtime are common.

Hotel porters spend most of their time on their feet, both indoors and outside. They carry heavy or awkward loads such as luggage, laundry, furniture and conference equipment.

What does it take to become a Hotel Porter?

To be a hotel porter, you should:

• enjoy working with people

• be friendly and welcoming

• have a smart appearance

• have stamina and a reasonable degree of physical fitness

• be able to cope with bending, lifting and carrying

Hotel Porter Job Opportunities

There are plenty of vacancies for porters in hotels throughout the UK, although this varies depending on the region.

Prospects depend on the size of the organisation. There is no career structure in small hotels and you may need to change employers in order to progress. Larger and prestigious hotels are more likely to have a career structure that will allow you to progress to the position of head porter or concierge. There may also be the opportunity to move to a front-of-house job.

Browse our jobs and salaries section for more information on the average salary and job prospects for hotel porters in the UK.