Hospitality Cover Letter

A strong hospitality cover letter shows hiring managers that you understand the industry's core promise: delivering exceptional guest experiences consistently and under pressure. Whether you are applying for a hotel front desk role, a concierge position, a guest services coordinator job, or an event coordination post, your letter must demonstrate both operational competence and genuine service orientation. This guide covers what employers look for, how to structure your letter, and what to avoid. For a broader overview of cover letter writing, start with our guide on how to write a cover letter.

What employers look for in a hospitality cover letter

Hiring managers in the hotel and hospitality industry evaluate applications quickly. Your letter needs to signal both soft skills and hard credentials within the first few sentences.

• Guest-first mindset. Every metric, every anecdote, and every achievement in your letter should connect back to the guest experience. Mention satisfaction scores, repeat-guest recognition, or positive reviews you contributed to directly.
• Operational proficiency. Familiarity with property management systems such as Opera PMS is a strong differentiator for front desk and reservations roles. Name the systems you have worked with rather than describing them vaguely.
• Revenue awareness. Candidates who understand RevPAR, occupancy rates, and upselling techniques stand out for guest services and front-of-house positions. Even a brief mention signals business maturity.
• Composure under pressure. Hotels operate around the clock with unpredictable demands. Employers look for evidence that you handle disruptions, complaints, and high-volume check-in periods without losing quality.
• Communication across cultures. Multilingual ability, experience with international guests, or cultural sensitivity training adds real value and should be noted if relevant.
• Collaboration. Hospitality roles depend on tight coordination between housekeeping, food and beverage, concierge, and management. Show that you work well across departments.

How to write a hospitality cover letter that gets interviews

1. Open with a guest experience result

Resist the urge to lead with "I am excited to apply." Instead, open with a concrete outcome: a guest satisfaction score you maintained, a challenge you resolved before it reached a manager, or an initiative that improved the check-in experience. One strong, specific detail earns more trust than a full paragraph of enthusiasm.

2. Name the tools and systems you know

Employers in hotel operations scan for software literacy early in the review process. If you have worked with Opera PMS, Sabre, OnQ, or other property management platforms, list them by name. The same applies to event management software or point-of-sale systems if you are applying for food and beverage or event coordination roles. Demonstrating hands-on familiarity signals you can contribute from day one.

3. Quantify your service record

Numbers make vague claims concrete. Reference specific guest satisfaction scores (NPS or post-stay survey results), average daily check-ins you managed, the number of events you coordinated, or revenue generated through upselling room upgrades. If you helped a property improve its RevPAR contribution through targeted package offers, say so clearly. Hiring managers remember numbers; they forget adjectives.

4. Align your letter to the property's positioning

A boutique hotel and a large convention property value different things. Research the employer before you write. A luxury brand wants to see refined communication and attention to personalization; a high-volume conference hotel wants operational scale and efficiency. Mirror the language from the job posting and connect your experience to the specific type of guests and service standards the property maintains. For candidates transitioning into hospitality from another field, our career change cover letter guide provides a clear framework for framing transferable skills.

Hospitality cover letter example

Replace property names, metrics, and details with your own experience.

Subject: Application for the Hospitality position

Dear Ms. Hartley, I am writing to apply for the Guest Services Manager position at The Alderton Hotel. With five years of front desk and concierge experience at full-service properties in Chicago and San Francisco, I have built a track record of delivering measurable improvements in guest satisfaction while supporting the operational goals of the front office. In my current role as Front Desk Supervisor at The Meridian Chicago, I oversee a team of six agents across a 280-room property and serve as the primary point of contact for VIP arrivals, group blocks, and escalated guest concerns. Working within Opera PMS, I manage daily room inventory, coordinate with housekeeping on early arrivals and special requests, and conduct pre-arrival reviews to personalize each guest's stay. Our post-stay satisfaction scores have risen from 82% to 91% over the past two years, a result of structured agent coaching and a revised check-in script our team developed together. I also introduced a concierge upsell program targeting suite upgrades and dining packages for guests booking standard rooms. In its first quarter, the program generated over $24,000 in incremental revenue and contributed a measurable lift in our property's RevPAR against the competitive set. What draws me to The Alderton is your reputation for independent, personality-driven service. I thrive in environments where staff are empowered to make genuine connections with guests rather than following a rigid script. I am confident that my front office background, familiarity with Opera and Sabre, and commitment to the details that create loyal guests would be a strong fit for your team. I would welcome the chance to discuss this role at your convenience. I can be reached at (312) 554-9207 or by email. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Full Name]

Before you send your application

Before submitting, work through this checklist to catch the issues that most frequently cost candidates an interview.

• Confirm the property name, job title, and hiring manager's name are spelled correctly throughout the letter.
• Verify that every claim about your performance is backed by a specific number or outcome.
• Read the letter aloud to identify any sentences that are too long or awkward to follow.
• Check that the tone matches the property's brand — more formal for luxury properties, more energetic for lifestyle or boutique brands.
• Make sure your contact information — phone number, professional email, and LinkedIn if relevant — appears on the document.

For guidance on related roles in the same cluster, see our housekeeping cover letter and flight attendant cover letter guides. If you are transitioning into hospitality from a different industry, our career change cover letter offers strategies that apply directly.

FAQ

How long should a hospitality cover letter be?

Aim for 250 to 350 words — roughly three to four focused paragraphs on a single page. Hiring managers at busy properties do not have time for lengthy letters. Every sentence should add information that is not already visible on your resume. For detailed formatting guidance, see our how to write a cover letter resource.

What if I have no hotel experience?

Lead with transferable skills from customer-facing roles: retail, restaurants, event support, or any position where you resolved problems for people under time pressure. Highlight any exposure to hospitality environments, volunteer event work, or relevant coursework. Connect each skill back to the specific demands listed in the job posting.

Should I mention Opera PMS or other software in my cover letter?

Yes, if you have used it. Property management systems like Opera PMS, OnQ, and Sabre are evaluated early in the screening process at most hotel brands. Naming them specifically tells the reviewer you will not need a long onboarding period for core systems. If you have only trained on a system rather than used it daily, note that distinction honestly.

How do I apply for a cabin crew or airline role instead?

Hospitality skills transfer well to aviation. For airline-specific guidance, see our cabin crew cover letter and flight attendant cover letter pages, which cover service standards, safety framing, and airline application conventions in detail.

Is a cover letter required for hospitality jobs?

Not always required, but almost always beneficial. Many hospitality roles receive a high volume of applications from candidates with similar experience. A well-written cover letter that names the property, cites specific results, and reflects the brand's tone gives you a clear advantage over candidates who submit a resume alone. Always include one unless the posting explicitly asks you not to.