Little-known jobs in the hotel industry

Picture the people working in a hotel, and your mind will flash to the usual receptionists, bell-boys, and cleaning staff. Hidden in the shadows, however, are a plethora of equally-important roles not many will expect to see in the hotel industry like babysitters and even robots. 

Together with the Singapore Tourism Board, we’ve shed light on 6 of these hidden jobs.

1. Babysitter

Hey, we get it. Nothing’s more important than spending time with the fam during a vacay but sometimes, mommy and daddy need some time to themselves. Before you plan a quick getaway during your getaway, be sure to check into hotels like The St. Regis Singapore, where a babysitter is available upon request for $40/hour, which is a steal given how most childcare centres charge an average of $80/hour. 

Give the concierge a head’s up that you’re coming with a little one and you’ll even have access to necessities like bottle sterilizers, diapers, and a baby cot.

2. Robot Service Staff

Robots are taking over! The roles of service staff, at least. To ease Singapore’s labour shortage, some hotels are utilising robot service staff in their operations. During our recent staycay at Yotel Singapore, we were pleasantly surprised to see robots carrying out room service, and that they’ll deliver toiletries straight to your doorstep.

And they’re not the only hotel to welcome the future. At M Social, there’s even a robot egg chef that can prepare your eggs however you want – sunny-side up or scrambled.

3. Design Manager for Artwork

Rock Wall by Charlie Albone & Children Dabbling In The Water by Yi Hwan Kwon
Image credit: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

You’d think Aang the last Airbender worked in Shangri-la Hotel’s Tower Wing, given how beautifully all 4 elements come together in the art installations here. From the rock wall that forms the lobby’s backdrop, to the shower of metallic leaves on the ceiling, you can thank their Design Manager for Artwork for the aesthetically-pleasing pieces you see.

Tree Canopy by Studio Sawada Design
Image credit: @shangrilasg

Although she didn’t create the pieces, she still played a huge part in conceptualising them. This meant travelling all the way to Nagoya to meet sculptors, examine local materials, and study the craftsmanship. As a result of this dedication, the sculptors got a better understanding of her vision, and guests can now lounge in serenity.

4. 3D Cake Maker

3D cakes used to be something you can only see on Cake Boss or your basic friend’s birthday party. Head to the Shophouse bakery at Shangri-La Hotel, and you’ll see display cases filled with 3D cakes from the likes of Ninjago to My Little Pony. 

Turns out, they have their own in-house 3D cake maker who can even customise cakes for customers. Since all cake makers here need at least 2 years of experience to make 3D cakes, you know that you’re gonna get a good slice.

5. Social Media Manager

In an age where every feedback, good or bad, can be publicly aired with the push of a button, it’s important for hotels to have a social media manager to handle their presence on channels like Facebook and Twitter. 

And if the hotel has strong USPs, it’s even more important for that manager highlights them. Take JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach for example. They are one of the few hotels here to have Japanese bidets, automated curtains, and in-room functions that can be controlled through a TV. 

To showcase this innovative technology, their social media manager guides a property tour, and promotes it on social media.

6. Personal Trainer/Yoga Instructor

You can find a gym at almost any hotel here, but gyms with their own personal trainers? Those are a rarity. Some even offer yoga classes conducted by trained yoga instructors. To get in on this, check into hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Marina Bay Sands where sessions can start from $29/hour, which is comparable to market rates of $30/hour.

Hidden roles in Singapore’s hotels

Image credit: @businessofhappiness

Check-in, check the amenities, and check-out. For most of us, that’s the SOP whenever we’re at a hotel. But take the time to look beyond the infinity pool and clean sheets, and you’ll see that are supporting the industry is an army of dedicated individuals, working round the clock to provide guests with the best possible experience. 

And for most of these roles, their presence has been hidden  – until now. As part of Singapore Tourism Board’s Business of Happiness initiative, you’ll finally learn about the inner goings of the hotel industry. From reading feature pieces on the bartender, serving you that heavenly cocktail to exploring the wealth of career options in this industry, a trip to this site will give you a greater appreciation the peeps behind your getaways.

Find out more about Business of Happiness here!

This post was brought to you by Singapore Tourism Board.