Top 40 Hotel General Manager Interview Questions & Expert Answers 

Example answer: “I started my career journey in the hotel industry as a Restaurant Manager at a luxury hotel. This role allowed me to directly apply the customer service and leadership skills I had gained in my previous restaurant management positions to the hotel setting.

Wanting to advance my career, I applied for the role of Food and Beverage Manager at another hotel. There, I leveraged my restaurant experience to handle all aspects of the hotel’s food and beverage operations.

After doing well in this role, I was promoted to Assistant Hotel Manager. This is where I first learned about the strategic side of hotel management like budgeting, staffing and guest experience initiatives.

The next logical step in my career path was transitioning into a Hotel Manager role, where I oversaw all aspects of the hotel’s daily operations. I led my team to achieve higher guest satisfaction scores, which was really rewarding.

Wanting to climb the ladder even further, I then took on the role of Assistant Hotel General Manager. In this position, I worked closely with the Hotel General Manager, playing a key role in strategic decision-making. There, I perfected my leadership skills.

Now, I feel ready to take on the role of Hotel General Manager. My experience in different stages of the hotel industry has equipped me with all the skills to effectively lead a team, ensure exceptional guest experiences and drive the hotel’s profitability.”

Example answer: “Absolutely! My day often began with a walk-through, saying hi to early-bird guests and making sure the lobby, restaurants and meeting spaces were clean and ready for the day ahead. It was a good chance to spot any housekeeping issues too.

After the inspection, I would meet with the department heads to exchange information about overnight occupancy rates, guest feedback, possible maintenance concerns and upcoming events. Between meetings, I caught up on emails and reports.

Afternoons were usually reserved for meetings with staff from different departments, discussing marketing strategies or strategic planning sessions. On some days I also attended special events at the hotel.”

Example answer: “In my previous hotel roles, I worked closely with department heads to create realistic budgets. Moreover, we set up a system that could spot areas where we were going over or under budget. We adjusted budgets based on market fluctuations, changes in occupancy rates and unexpected events.

Besides managing costs, I was also focused on driving revenue. I worked with sales and marketing teams to develop targeted promotions. Together, we explored upselling and cross-selling opportunities.”

Example answer: “I’m very comfortable with hotel management software and technology. In my previous roles, I’ve used revenue management systems to track performance and channel management systems to manage availability and pricing across online travel agencies.

I think technology is vital for streamlining hotel operations and I’m eager to adapt to any new technology you use here.”

Example answer: “My main goal is to create a collaborative and empowering work environment. I believe in building a team where everyone feels valued and heard and not afraid to speak their mind. I highly value open communication, so I encourage open discussions and actively seek feedback.

I motivate my team by setting clear and achievable goals together, so everyone knows how they contribute to the hotel’s success. I make sure to show genuine appreciation and try to acknowledge and celebrate achievements whenever possible. All this contributes to a positive and supportive work environment, which keeps the team motivated and enthusiastic.”

Example answer: “I take the time to understand each team member’s strengths and areas for improvement. This allows me to delegate tasks effectively, making sure the right person is doing the right job at the right time.

When delegating tasks, I clearly communicate the expectations, goals and deadlines. To further empower my team, I equip them with training, tools and support necessary to complete their tasks effectively.”

Example answer: “To measure the success of my leadership as a Hotel General Manager, I look at several factors. First is financial performance, which includes metrics like revenue per available room (RevPAR), occupancy rates and departmental profitability.

Guest satisfaction is equally important, so I monitor reviews, surveys and feedback to ensure we’re meeting guests’ expectations. I also pay close attention to team engagement. Low turnover, high employee satisfaction and positive feedback from employee surveys all indicate that the work environment is healthy and that the team is motivated.

Finally, I track team performance through regular reviews and progress on development goals.”

Example answer: “In case a new hotel opens nearby, I would first conduct thorough market research and do a competitive analysis. Understanding their target market, pricing strategy and service offerings will allow me to identify opportunities to differentiate our hotel.

Next, I would revisit our hotel’s unique value proposition. This analysis would help me identify areas for improvement such as enhancing our amenities, refining our customer service or introducing new features and experiences that could set us apart.

I’d also work with the marketing team to create targeted campaigns to attract new guests and retain existing ones. Partnering with local attractions, offering special packages or loyalty programs and using social media campaigns are some ways to achieve this.”

Example answer: “The first thing I would do is schedule a meeting with housekeeping representatives. I would listen to their concerns, showing genuine empathy. After the meeting, I would investigate the issues they’ve raised to understand the root causes of their dissatisfaction.

Then, I would work with them to come up with solutions that would address their issues effectively. This might include improving working conditions, adjusting workloads, providing additional training or resources and ensuring better communication and support from management.

By involving the housekeeping staff in this process, I would show our commitment to their well-being and job satisfaction. To prevent future issues, I would organize regular meetings and one-on-one discussions.”

Example answer: “First, I would conduct a thorough assessment of the skills and qualifications required for the role. Then, I would identify potential candidates within the team who tick all the boxes but also possess leadership qualities.

After choosing the best fit, I would ensure a smooth transition by having the retiring leader work closely with their successor to transfer knowledge and responsibilities.

I would also provide training and development opportunities, such as mentorship programs, leadership workshops and cross-functional projects to help the new member of the team build their skills.”