The 9 Most Unusual Hotel Jobs Around The World
In the hospitality world, many key jobs ensure the operations of a hotel run smoothly. You always have a general manager, for example, and usually front desk staff. A hotel typically employs a catering department, doormen, bellmen, housekeepers and more.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, nearly 10% of all jobs globally are supported by travel and tourism. And with the industry projected to grow steadily over the next decade, there continue to be plenty of new (and sometimes unexpected), job opportunities.
Whether you're searching for a wild dream job or are simply seeking hotel inspiration, these are some of the most unusual hospitality jobs in the world.
Water Sommelier
Sommeliers are common at luxury properties. But a water sommelier? Not so much. Yet that's an actual position at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland. Yes, the woman who holds the title is certified by the Doemens Savour Academy (the only recognized water sommelier program in the world) and presents mineral waters to guests to pair with dishes, wines and more. They also introduce guests to the nutritional value of water. For example, water high in magnesium is good for your heart, muscles and brain, while water with a lot of bicarbonate can be great for hangovers and sore throats.
Genealogy Butler
This butler won’t assist with your bags or get you settled in your room, but he will help you track down your ancestors. The Shelbourne in Dublin, Ireland has an on-staff Genealogy Butler who guests can work with to trace their Irish ancestors. Helen Kelly is one of Ireland’s leading genealogists and a member of Accredited Genealogists of Ireland. He develops personalized research plans, genealogical tours throughout Ireland, assessment reports and hosts trips to Dublin’s various genealogical repositories.
S’moreologist
Making the perfect s’more is hard work. That's why the Paws Up Resort in Montana has trained butlers and culinary staff to become master S'moreologists who can help guests perfect their roasting, toasting, melting and assembly skills. S'moreologists knows all the essential s’mores-crafting techniques, such as the optimal chocolate-to-marshmallow ratio, achieving the ideal caramelization of the marshmallow and developing the perfect amount of char. S’moreologists also understand flavor profiles, helping guests assemble unique concoctions with local ingredients (think: fresh fruit, crispy bacon, salted caramel and smoked salmon). Sounds like a pretty sweet job.
Certified Spookmaster
New Orleans is supposedly one of the most haunted cities in the country, and Hilton New Orleans Riverside takes advantage. They have a resident Spookmaster whose job it is to essentially scare guests. How? The Spookmaster tells guests where around town they can go to spot a spirit; sets up local ghost tours and visits to haunted houses such as the Voodoo & Cemetery Tour; and lets guests check out ghost stories for a spooky night in. A key prerequisite for the role? You must be, er, spirited.
Residential Bath Butler
Butlers exist to make lives easier. But there’s one butler gig that’s all about helping travelers destress to the max. Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences in Florida now has a Ritual Bath Butler who will work with Amrit’s Wellness Advisor to determine your optimum sleep time and adjust the room’s lighting to ensure the dimming cycles are perfectly synchronized. From there, a bath will be drawn at the optimum temperature and infused with select aromas and botanicals to ensure you have the most restful night ever.
Archeoastronomy Expert
In Peru, it's not hard to find archeologists or astronomers. But finding someone that’s an expert in both? That's a challenge. So, when Mountain Lodges of Peru heard about Andres Adasme — an architect and design consultant with a passion for astronomy — they knew he needed to be on staff. Now, he’s their chief archeoastronomy expert. Adasme leads tours and conversations with travelers, where he shares his knowledge of Andean wisdom and explains the foundation for sacred sites such as Machu Picchu and their relationship to the skies above. He’ll even teach you how to read an ancient sundial.
Chief Flamingo Officer
All hotel brands have a CFO. But the CFO at the Baha Mar resort complex does not need any financial training. Instead, the position requires a degree and experience within the field of zoology. The CFO, or Chief Flamingo Officer, is charged with leading and maintaining the “Flamingo Mansion,” and educating guests about the role flamingos play in the ecosystems and natural environment of the Bahamas. The job sounds great, but the colleagues can be a little flighty.
Bowtie Butler
Everyone has the jitters on their wedding day. That’s why couples employ planners, florists, stylists and more to handle all the day-of details. Well, Asheville’s newest boutique hotel, The Foundry, decided to add a position that specifically takes care of a particular groom need: tying a bowtie. The property employs a Bowtie Butler who can share proper bow-tying techniques and provide quick lessons to the groomsman on how to master the art of a bowtie on his wedding day. You’re guaranteed to have no lopsided bowties in your wedding album.
Kār t̄h̀āy P̣hāph Insiders
Getting that perfect FOMO-inducing selfie is key when traveling. Tower Club at Lebua, in Bangkok, recognized that need and hired photography experts to snap the best pics from 820 feet above the city at The Dome rooftop. The staff will help you capture the best lighting, angles and sky-high views with precision and ease, guiding guests through different poses. The Lebua team even takes it one step further by providing hand-held lighting (for those must-see lifestyle and foodie shots) as the evening progresses, since The Dome's fine-dining establishments ban flash photography.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.