As a receptionist, I have the most contact with the guests. Emails come in regularly with questions about the apartments or availability, and the same questions come in by phone. What I actually enjoy most is when people have lots of extra wishes, because then I can put together a nice solution for them.
Whatever is possible and doable in terms of time, we try to arrange for our guests. For example, someone recently emailed that friends of theirs were coming to the Vlindertuin for a weekend. Could we put a welcome package (a bottle of wine and some treats, with a card) ready for them in the apartment? It was a quiet day and so I could easily do it, so yes! The guests who arrived were really impressed and very happy. Isn’t that nice! I welcome guests who are checking in, give them the key and, while I accompany them to the apartment, tell them about the shared cupboard, breakfast, the sauna, and where they can leave their luggage if they want to enjoy another day on Ameland after checking out in the morning.
I often do the check-outs too, if I am already there, and otherwise the breakfast employee often takes care of that. We work together really well and also step in for each other where needed. I also often do the final checks when someone has finished cleaning an apartment. That’s because four eyes see more than two. Sometimes a window is still open or someone has forgotten to turn the heating down a bit. Then I quickly take care of that.
I also help out when it is very busy with the cleaning; then I do what we call the pre-check: bringing fresh linen right after check-out, checking whether the apartment has been left in good condition and, for example, replacing some plates that may have broken. Even as a receptionist I get plenty of exercise!
