Hospitality Summer Internship - Project Based

Project-Based Internship Program

About Retro Hospitality:In 2011, Retro Hospitality had one simple goal in mind and that was to help fellow hoteliers put more “heads in beds”. Since that time, Retro has expanded its portfolio to include some of the finest boutique hotels in the south along with signature restaurants, trendy rooftop bars, and the first food hall in central Virginia. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Retro features a team with diverse and highly experienced backgrounds. The company's primary focus is engaging with ownership and operating teams to provide the necessary support they require with a hands-on approach.

Management Portfolio:

• Quirk Hotel – Richmond, VA

• The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center – Staunton, VA

• The Bee Hotel – Danville, VA

• The Holbrook Hotel – Danville, VA

• The Lofts at Downtown Salem – Salem, VA

• Hotel Petersburg – Petersburg, VA

• Hotel Fauna – Bedford, VA (Under Construction)

• The Laurel Hotel – Danville, VA (Under Construction)

• Schoolfield Hotel – Danville, VA (Under Construction)

Learning Goals:

• Gain hands-on operational and leadership experience in the hospitality industry.

• Apply current hospitality trends and techniques to practical work projects.

• Enhance teamwork and communication skills.

• Strengthen problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Increase event knowledge through the execution of various on-site programming and special events.

Overall Skills and Expectations: 

• Be highly motivated and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Think outside the box and be willing to shift direction at a moment’s notice.

• Provide guests witha personalized customer experience.

• Assist each department with a variety of operational functions. 

• Work well with others and perform the job responsibilities in a team setting.

• Follow company policies and procedures for each department in a satisfactory manner.

Overview of Internship Opportunities:

All internship opportunities through Retro Hospitality will be paid positions.

• 10-week program that is more project-based, focusing on specific objectives and the idea of solving a problem to complete by the end of the program. Thisintern will work primarily with one department within the hotel working hands-on with the designated department manager and team.

• Each intern will report to the General Manager along with an assignedproject manager/supervisor. The intern will begin their internship with an orientation where they will complete the appropriate onboarding and training for their position. The assigned supervisor will then meet with the intern on a regular basis to evaluate job performance and assist in project completion and delivery.

Departments that your project may support:

Hotel Operations including Front Desk/Guest Services, and Housekeeping: 

Front Desk / Guest Services

Area Description:

• Standard policies and procedures for operating the front desk.

• Providing personalized customer service to guests.

• Communicate with each department to ensure guest needs and expectations are met. 

• Act as the concierge, engaging with our guests, selling special packages, add-ons, and providing quality recommendations for community-based activities.

• Manage and properly respond to guest reviews on sites like TripAdvisor according to company standards.

Housekeeping

Area Description:

• Standardized cleaning and inspection procedures for rooms and public areas.

• Performing room inspections for daily arrivals.

• Weekly inventories and organizational systems.

Food and Beverage

Area Description:

• Host/hostess, server, kitchen, and supervisor shifts in all food and beverage outlets of the hotel, i.e.the restaurant, conference center, rooftop, café, etc. 

• Food and Beverage inventory, ordering, and creating menu specials on a weekly basis.

• Monitor the retail shop to ensure that it is stocked and labeled properly.

• Managing breakfast and room service each day. 

• Assist the catering department with execution of in-house programming, weddings, and special events.

Sales, Marketing, Events, and Catering

Area Description:

• Director of Salesactivities such as prospecting, competitive research, and networking.

• Assist with special event preparation and day-of execution.

• Creatingmarketing materials according to brand standards.

• Contribute to the content calendar to assist with social media posts andadditionalmarketing opportunities.