Hotel porter
Hotel porters welcome guests, carry their luggage and answer their questions.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £14,000 - £19,000
Typical hours (a week): 37 - 39
How to become a hotel porter
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You can take a college course like a Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry.
College (Entry requirements)
You may need:
- 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
Apprenticeship
You can start by doing a hospitality team member intermediate apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly to employers if you've got some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. Experience in customer service will be helpful though not essential. Employers will be interested in your personal qualities and will expect you to be hardworking, honest and a reliable time-keeper.
More info
You can find more details about becoming a hotel porter through the Hospitality Guild.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- the ability to work on your own
- the ability to work well with others
- physical fitness and endurance
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- concentration skills
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- carrying luggage
- answering queries about the hotel and making reservations
- arranging taxis and booking tickets
- running errands, such as picking up dry cleaning
- taking messages
- giving directions
- responding to safety and security issues
Working environment
You could work in a hotel. Your working environment may be physically demanding.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
With experience, you could progress to head porter or concierge. With training, you could move into other areas of hotel work like bar work or reception.
