This is how our Front Office Agents make a stay at Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel extra special

Front Office Agents Kimberly and Anna always give the guests of Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel a world-class welcome with their enormous smiles. Because, what projects a warmer and welcoming appearance than a simple smile? It not only makes you feel valued but is also a great beginning of your holiday at Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel. Curious about their Front Desk secrets and how they experience working as Front Office Agents? Please check it out below!

Meet #teamtoucan: Who are Kimberly and Anna?

Kimberly (25) is Assistant Front Office Manager at Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel. “I was searching for a new job as a receptionist and saw a vacancy on a job search website. I decided to apply and that same day, I received a phone call to come in for an interview. Now, I have been working here for three months already.” Anna (23) started working as a Front Office Agent at Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel in the beginning of March 2021. She had just finished her Front Office internship and was looking for a new job. “In the Netherlands, COVID-19 peaked again in March 2021. During this period, there were just a few vacancies available in the hotel industry, but I was determined to continue working in this sector. Luckily, Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel was looking for a new Front Office Agent. When I saw this vacancy at its website, I did not know how quickly I had to apply for this position.” 

How do you make sure that guests have a good first impression of the hotel when they arrive at the lobby?

Kimberly: “I always try to fully engage with the guests and to treat all guests as individuals. For example, I create a personalized welcome. If I know it is someone birthday, I arrange something like a decorated table and an extra drink in Restaurant Amstelle.” Anna created a memorable and personalized service in her own way: “I always welcome guests by name at check-in and thank them for their stay at check-out. I also interact with the guests about their interests. This allows me to explore whether I have certain things in common with them. Like the other day, when I found out that the guests lived in the same residence as me. I started talking about this and noticed that they appreciated it and became enthusiastic.”

What makes you enjoy going to work every day?

Kimberly and Anna unanimously agree: their colleagues make work even more fun. Anna: “It is a strong team, and we laugh a lot together. That makes me feel completely at home.” Kimberly adds. “We are always honest and give each other feedback regularly. This way we can learn from each other and stay motivated.” They say that successes are celebrated regularly. Kimberly: “Once in a while we have a company outing to reward the team for their hard work. That is always so much fun!”

What do you still want to achieve in your careers?

Kimberly says she would like to work abroad. “It would be a great challenge to work as an Assistant Front Office Manager abroad, without speaking the local language yet. For instance, I would like to work in a boutique hotel as General Manager.” However, she emphasizes that she wants to grow into Front Office Manager at Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel and develop herself first. “I still like it here so much to seriously think about that already.” Anna, on the other hand, has no ambitions to become a Shift leader of Front Office Manager yet: “I would like to acquire more knowledge and learn all the ins and outs as a Front Office Agent, before I would like to take the next step.”

Would you like to be warmly greeted by our Front Office Agents Kimberly and Anna with a smile on their face? Then do not hesitate to book a room at Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam - Amstel. Or do you want to become part of #teamtoucan? Then please send an e-mail to hr@amsterdam.valk.com.