Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

From RPTSWiki

Stacey Smith

Front Desk Intern

Summer 2007

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Organization Overview: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has a vision of being the Southeast's premier resort destination. The mission of the resort is to create memories for their guests and colleagues again and again.

Sandestin is a 2,400 acre resort located on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, between Pensacola and Panama City. It is the largest resort in the area and the only resort located on the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay. Sandestin offers 1,800 accommodations ranging from studios to four bedroom homes. With accommodations on the beach side, bay side, golf course, lake, and 28-acre Village of Baytowne Wharf, guests of Sandestin are sure to find something that suits their desires. Aside from Sandestin's beautiful beaches, the resort offers four golf courses, a marina, tennis center, spa, salon, fitness center, shopping, dining, children's programs, special events, nightlife and more.

Intern Responsibilities: As a front desk intern, my primary responsibility was to perform the check-in and check-out process for guests of the resort. This required me to learn Sandestin's computer system known as SMS Host. Front desk agents are also expected to build a reservation, perform room moves, handle cash, and print reports. This type of position requires excellent communication and customer service skills due to the amount of interaction with guests of the resort. Due to the size of the resort, there are three front desks on property. Interns work at all three desks at the beginning of the internship to get a feel for the entire resort. Management then decides which desk each intern will fit best and places them there for the remainder of the internship.

Front desk interns are paid $8.50 an hour and enjoy many discounts resort wide, including rooms, restaurants, and retail. Sandestin offers employee housing off-site at an affordable rate - $12 per day for a room with a single bed or $8 for a room with two beds. This amount is automatically deducted from the employee's pay check each pay period. Housing is dorm-style with a commom living area and kitchen, four or six bedrooms, and two or three bathrooms.

After working the front desk at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, I have developed and improved upon many skills and knowledge areas. My communication and people skills have improved and I have learned how to deal with issues when guests are not satisfied. I faced many challenges at the front desk and have learned valuable lessons from them. Since the front desk receives complaints resort wide, we have to know who to contact and how to handle problems that are not directly related to the front desk. I have learned about housekeeping, engineering, and property management due to the issues that are brought to our attention in these departments.

Contact Information:

Sandestin Human Resources Department: 850.267.8169 or e-mail employment@sandestin.com

Visit Sandestin.com and click on careers for more information

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