The Most Unique Hotel Jobs

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort's Surfing Chef

Located along the beautiful Pacific Coast with year-round sunshine, the Park Hyatt Aviara takes advantage of its oceanside setting with the Surfing with the Chef Program. Guided by the Surfing Chef himself, Executive Chef Pierre Albaladejo, guests are able to experience chef's love for two passions -- cooking and surfing -- offering a one-of-a-kind, interactive culinary experience. The day begins with Chef preparing breakfast, followed by surf lessons at one of the local Carlsbad beaches, and concluding with a "toes in the sand" meal on the beach, prepared by Chef Pierre himself. Afterwards, guests will be presented with their own customized longboard, conveniently shipped back home to use for their next visit to the resort. A quintessential Southern California summer activity, the Surfing with the Chef program is a perfect way to experience Carlsbad through the eyes of a local.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ La Hacienda Tequila Goddess At Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ top rated Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda, Katie Schnurr, the restaurant’s Tequila Goddess, can curate the ultimate tequila experience for all guests. As the tequila sommelier and supervisor, she manages all spirits, wine and tequila offerings for the restaurant. Despite tradition, she will advise guests to sip the tequila but only before prompting them to smell the liquor using their nose and mouth. After slowly sipping the tequila she advises to exhale to fully experience all the flavors the tequila has to offer. She also creates special activities and events to enhance the dinner offerings, including tequila tastings, Mixology classes and Tequila 101

Hawaiian Cultural Advisor at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – Maui, HI

An invaluable member of the The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua team since the resort's opening in 1992, Clifford Nae'ole has served as the resident cultural expert. A native Hawaiian himself, Clifford's passion is to capture and share the native island and local culture to guests of the property. The resort seeks to immerse guests in authentic experiences through unique programming, such as the Sense of Place Film and Tour, where guests are invited to watch an award-winning documentary about the Hawaiian people and then embark on a walking tour through the Honokaua Preservation Site, a sacred site, led by Clifford. Serving as the first cultural advisor for The Ritz-Carlton brand and the Hawaiian Islands, Clifford is an integral part of the resort's identity, using his knowledge and desire to share the Hawaiian people's traditions to enlighten and delight guests.

Sunset Bagpiper at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay – Half Moon Bay, CA

A tradition since the inception of the resort in 2001, the Bagpiper at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay brings the sounds of Scotland to the bluffs of Northern California. Playing traditional piping music an hour and a half before sunset (Thursday-Sunday and Tuesday every week, year-round), he begins his performance at the front of the resort adjacent to the 1st hole of the Ocean Course and the 9th hole of the Old Course; continuing to play as he walks around the hotel, past the 18th hole of the Ocean Course and finishes on the Ocean Lawn adjacent to the green of the Old Course 18th Hole. The bagpipe music echoes along the coast – which is often said to resemble the cliffs of Scotland – as the sun dips into the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Guests can relax on the Ocean Terrace with a glass of wine or cozy up around the cliffside fire pits as they take in the music and stunning sunset views of this oceanfront resort.

Resident Naturalist at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch– Beaver Creek, CO

The Resident Naturalists at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch are experts in nature and give guests the opportunity to learn about and explore the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the resort. The naturalists’ primary job is to share their expertise about the wilderness with resort guests. From guiding nature hikes where they help guests identify different animal tracks and the thousands of wildflower varietals, to private stargazing hikes and snowshoeing in the winter, to mountainside ice cream making, bird watching, and geocatching, guests can actively relish in all the beauty and adventure Colorado has to offer with the resident naturalists.

Digital Detox Concierge at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami

With work emails and social media weighing heavily on the mind of travelers, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami has announced the appointment of a Digital Detox Concierge to combat the excessive use of technology for guests hoping for a detox. The Digital Detox Concierge is on hand to advise guests on the best ways to unwind and embrace island life, and encourages the opportunity to ‘digitally detox’ and fully unwind in Miami’s only tropical island oasis. The concierge acts as an expert on everything the island and resort have to offer and consults with guest to tailor experiences designed to suit individual tastes and needs for all guests to swim, sun, and enjoy screen- and worry-free. Whether for families looking to reconnect with their social media-obsessed teens and tweens, busy couples seeking a romantic escape, or old friends on a girls’/gentlemens’ getaway, they have just the answer.

Master Gardener Suzuki—san at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

First developed during the 8th century to mimic the gardens of China's Song Dynasty, Japanese Zen gardens combine the basic elements of moss, rocks, and white stones, representing the pure beauty of Japan and a place of quiet contemplation. Surrounded by many of these gardens, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto features a special white gravel garden neighboring the oldest lantern on site – a nod to the past blended with a contemporary minimalist aesthetic. To ensure the gravel garden is kept in its pristine appearance, Master Gardner, Suzuki-san meticulously rakes the white gravel each week, taking one-hour every time to complete the task with expert precision. Learning from the master himself, guests are also invited to discover the art of garden-making by participating in his class, ‘Your Own Zen Garden,’ and create a miniature Zen garden – allowing their creativity to draw the lines of their own personal landscape.

BBQ Butler at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee – Georgia

The BBQ Butler is offered at the lakeside resort in Greensboro, Georgia and is a signature culinary program only offered in the private Cottages by the Lake and the four-bedroom Lake House. The BBQ Butler offers a variety of menus perfect for families or entertaining that incorporate the flavors of the South by offering the quintessential Southern cuisine — barbecue — in one’s home-away-from-home.

Guacamologist and Tequila Vault at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

Enjoy a bit of Texas with the hotel's Guacamologist, who prepares fresh guacamole every evening at 6 p.m. in the hotel lobby. The guacamole is served along with selections from the Tequila Vault in addition to a mini version of Dean's Signature Margaritas. The Tequila Vault is also open nightly at 6 p.m. and focuses on prized tequilas and tequila education. The new, one-of-a-kind Tequila Vault opened in May and is a cache of rare spirits, including a prized Patrón en Lalique valued at more than $8,000. Only 100 bottles of Patrón en Lalique were ever produced.

Aloeologist at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Kick off the weekend at Après Beach. Revel and relax as you bask in your South Beach glow with fresh aloe muddled cocktails and our hand-crafted after sun elixir, exclusively curated by our Aloeologist, to sooth your sun-kissed skin. Offered Thursday – Saturday 5 pm to 7 pm at the Starr Bar.

Coffee Man and Omani Ambassador at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel – Oman

Guests at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, are welcomed by the “coffee man”, Mohammed Al Wahaibi, as they come in. The legendary cultural host at Al Bustan Palace offers them a cup of traditional Omani coffee and dates in his majlis (lounge), while sharing local stories and anecdotes, or telling them about his favorite Omani recipe. Additionally, Zuweina is the property’s Omani ambassador, greeting guests upon arrival in her traditional hand-crafted attire. A pillar in their Proudly Omani scenography, Zuweina stands in the magnificent Atrium Lobby Lounge and shares coffee and halwa, a traditional sweet that delights guests of all ages.