If you’re currently on the hunt for your next job, you likely know that you should research the companies to which you’re applying. Then if you’re invited to interview, you should dive even deeper into the company research. But you can also learn a lot about a company just from observing the inner workings of their businesses.

In the hospitality industry, that’s to say that a hotel lobby can speak volumes about what it’s like to work at that property. So as you decide where you want to apply for work or prior to an actual interview, plan to spend an hour or two checking out the hotel’s public space. There are a few aspects of the lobby that you’ll want to pay attention to. 

Design Style & Cleanliness

First and foremost, ask yourself if you like the lobby’s interior design and if it’s somewhere you would want to stay or where you would want to meet up with friends to socialize. If the answer is a resounding “no,” a job at the hotel may not be a good fit for you. However, if you find the lobby’s modern or luxury, or avant-garde design scheme appealing, then you may have found a place where you’ll be comfortable and enjoy working.

You should also take note of how dated and how clean the lobby looks. If furniture and carpeting look worn, it’s a sign that the space is due for renovation. Hotels are typically renovated every five to eight years. So without mentioning that you think the lobby seems outdated, you could gently ask in an interview where the hotel is in its renovation cycle and how the role might change during the renovation. For example, are dining facilities temporarily relocated to accommodate renovation work, and is the front desk staff responsible for making sure guests know how to find the new restaurant and bar location? 

If there are no renovations planned and it’s been more than 10 years since the hotel was last updated, that’s a sign of hotel owners who aren’t willing to invest in keeping the property competitive. Hotels that look shabby won’t necessarily be as profitable as their more modern competitors. If owners aren’t investing in their properties, they’re probably not investing in their employees.

The same goes for the cleanliness of the lobby and its restrooms. Successful hotels are typically immaculate or very close to them. If the public spaces look dirty, cleaning and hygiene aren’t likely a priority for management and staff probably don’t take pride in the hotel. Cleanliness should definitely factor into your decision to apply for a job at the hotel or accept a position with it. 

Who Works There

Definitely check out the front desk staff as well as restaurant servers and bartenders, if the hotel has dining facilities. Is everyone making eye contact with you and smiling? Do they seem friendly and make an effort to engage with you? Unfriendly or unsmiling hotel employees may be a symptom of a negative work environment. Like cleanliness, welcoming staff is essential to a successful hotel. So you’ll definitely want to pay attention to how the lobby employees interact with guests and with each other.

Also, are staff interactions with guests and each other formal or informal? Are employees wearing perfectly pressed collared shirts with long sleeves and suit jackets? Do any staff members have facial hair and piercings and wearing short sleeves that show off their tattoos? 

These questions have no right or wrong answers. If you can see yourself working in an environment where guests are formally welcomed with greetings “good evening Mr. Smith,” then the hotel could be a great place for you to work. Alternatively, if you have a tattoo sleeve that you don’t want to have to hide every day at work, then you’ll likely fit right in with hotel staff that proudly shows off their own body art at work.

Who the Guests Are

Most hotels attract a variety of guests, including families and couples on vacation as well as business travelers. But you should still observe who is spending time in the lobby and what they’re doing. 

Are there a lot of people in business attire sitting in front of their laptops or on their phones? That hotel might have a large base of business travelers or group business travel. This is a guest base that will have needs such as wake-up calls, on-site dining reservations, and answers to questions about the hotel business center. If you like the idea of servicing guests who are going to have fairly standard questions and requests, this could be a good working environment for you.

On the other hand, if you like the idea of making children and their parents smile, a hotel with a strong family base might be a better fit for you.

If the lobby has a happy hour crowd that looks like it’s mainly office workers who are still early on in their careers and who appreciate a laid-back vibe, that’s also a good indication of the hotel’s work atmosphere.

Of course, these are just a few examples of how a hotel’s guests will play a part in determining how you may or may not like a potential job at that property.

Available Services & Amenities

This is similar to the section on “Who Works There.” Some hotels are full-service and offer restaurants, spas, and even gift shops. There are limited-service hotels that do not include these services. There is no right or wrong to what is or isn’t available as far as hotel services and amenities. It’s about what appeals to you. 

Do you like the idea of working at a hotel where the focus is on guest room operation and guest service excellence? Then you might want to consider a limited-service hotel.

But if you like a hotel that’s a social scene, where the cocktail menu is always changing, then take a look at what the bar offers.

More importantly, if you’ve ever given any thought to learning another side of the hospitality business, such as meetings and conventions, food and beverage, or spa, you should check out this part of the hotel’s public space. Even if you’re not currently interviewing for a role in that area, the fact that the hotel has those relevant components might mean a learning opportunity for you in the future.

Find your next opportunity here!