Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Hotel Manager
What hotel managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review occupancy, revenue and guest feedback. From there, the day usually includes oversee daily hotel operations, lead department managers and staff, and set room rates and manage revenue. Managers usually work long hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a hotel manager working full time.
- Review occupancy, revenue and guest feedback.
- Lead the department heads meeting.
- Walk the property and inspect rooms.
- Adjust rates for a busy weekend with the revenue manager.
- Meet a group client planning a conference.
- Review the budget and labor.
- Personally resolve a VIP guest’s complaint.
Where hotel managers work
Hotel managers work in hotels and resorts, moving between offices and guest areas. They are often on call.
Hours and schedule
Managers usually work long hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Oversee daily hotel operations
- Lead department managers and staff
- Set room rates and manage revenue
- Manage budgets and expenses
- Ensure guest satisfaction
- Maintain brand and quality standards
- Coordinate maintenance and renovations
Tools you’ll use every day
- Property management systems
- Revenue management software
- Spreadsheets
- Guest feedback platforms
- Scheduling software
- Maintenance systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Leadership and variety
- Travel perks
- Paths to regional management
- Promote from within culture
What’s hard
- Long hours and on-call duty
- Guest and staffing issues
- Revenue pressure
- Holiday work
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love hospitality
- I like leading teams
- I’m comfortable with numbers
- I can handle long hours
- I stay calm with guest problems
- I want a management career
Not sure? Take the free Hotel Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain fire and life safety systems
- Train staff on emergencies
- Protect guest data
- Address safety hazards promptly