Night Porter – Dartmoor Lodge Hotel
Location: Ashburton, South Devon
Shift Pattern: 4 Nights On / 3 Nights Off
About Dartmoor Lodge
Dartmoor Lodge Hotel is a welcoming, independently run hotel situated at the gateway to Dartmoor.
We pride ourselves on warm, personal hospitality and high standards. Whether it is looking after a guest, checking the security of the building or making sure the hotel is spotless and ready for the morning, we believe in not walking past something that isn't right.
We are looking for a caring, highly conscientious and exceptionally reliable Night Porter to take responsibility for the hotel overnight.
The Role
As Night Porter, you are the eyes and ears of the hotel throughout the night.
Your number-one responsibility is the safety, security and welfare of our guests and the hotel. Alongside this, you will ensure the property is clean, organised and fully prepared for the following day's operation.
This is an active, hands-on position. It is not a role where the night is spent sitting behind reception.
You will often work independently, so we need someone we can completely trust to take ownership, use initiative and maintain our standards without needing to be supervised.
Your Duties & ResponsibilitiesGuest Care & Reception
- Be the main point of contact for guests throughout the night
- Welcome and check in late-arriving guests
- Assist guests with enquiries, requests and problems
- Answer incoming telephone calls professionally
- Deal promptly and courteously with guest concerns or complaints
- Assist guests who may become unwell or require help during the night
- Ensure guests feel safe, comfortable and looked after
- Maintain a calm, friendly and professional manner at all times
Hotel Security
Security is a major part of this position.
You will be expected to:
- Carry out scheduled security walkarounds throughout the night
- Check all entrances, exits, doors and accessible windows
- Ensure external and restricted areas are properly secured
- Monitor CCTV throughout the shift
- Check for suspicious or unusual activity
- Monitor the hotel, car park and immediate external areas
- Challenge or appropriately deal with unauthorised persons
- Ensure only authorised guests and personnel have access to the hotel overnight
- Secure the hotel correctly following the departure of evening customers and staff
- Ensure keys and access points are properly controlled
- Report and record any security concerns or incidents
- Escalate serious incidents immediately in accordance with hotel procedures
You must be naturally security-conscious. If something doesn't look or feel right, we expect you to investigate and take appropriate action.
Fire Safety & Emergency Procedures
- Monitor the hotel's fire alarm and safety systems
- Complete required fire and safety checks
- Ensure fire exits and escape routes remain clear
- Check that fire doors are correctly closed and unobstructed
- Understand the hotel's emergency and evacuation procedures
- Respond immediately and correctly to fire alarms
- Assist with guest evacuation where required
- Contact emergency services when necessary
- Record and report alarms, incidents or safety concerns
- Ensure any hazards identified during the night are made safe or immediately escalated
Cleaning & Presentation
A key part of the night shift is leaving the hotel immaculate and ready for the next day.
Duties will include:
- Clean and tidy the bar
- Clean and reset the restaurant
- Clean designated kitchen and service areas
- Clean reception and hotel entrance areas
- Clean guest toilets and public washrooms
- Vacuum, sweep and mop public areas where required
- Wipe down tables, surfaces and service areas
- Empty bins and dispose of waste correctly
- Check corridors and communal areas
- Replenish supplies where necessary
- Ensure furniture is correctly positioned
- Report any damage, breakages or maintenance issues
- Ensure public areas are clean, tidy and professionally presented before the morning team arrives
Breakfast Preparation
You will help ensure the breakfast team can start service efficiently each morning.
Duties will include:
- Set up the restaurant for breakfast
- Lay and prepare tables
- Prepare breakfast service stations
- Replenish appropriate crockery, cutlery and glassware
- Ensure tea and coffee areas are prepared
- Complete agreed breakfast preparation tasks
- Ensure the breakfast and restaurant areas are clean and fully ready for morning service
End-of-Day & Administration
- Complete the hotel's end-of-day/night procedures
- Update relevant hotel systems
- Check and record required information accurately
- Complete the Night Porter checklist
- Record incidents, guest issues and unusual activity
- Record maintenance or housekeeping issues requiring attention
- Complete required security and safety records
- Prepare a clear handover for the morning management/reception team
General Hotel Duties
Because you are responsible for the hotel overnight, you may also be required to:
- Deal with minor maintenance or operational issues where safe and appropriate
- Assist with moving or setting up furniture
- Prepare rooms or function areas for the following day when required
- Receive authorised deliveries where appropriate
- Deal with noise or disturbances professionally
- Ensure lights and equipment are switched off where appropriate
- Check for water leaks, unusual smells, damage or other potential problems
- Assist with any reasonable hotel duty required during the night
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is:
Caring – Guests matter to you. You want people staying with us to feel safe, welcome and looked after.
Exceptionally conscientious – You check things properly and, when necessary, check them again.
Security-minded – You understand that being responsible for a hotel full of sleeping guests is a serious responsibility.
Meticulous – You notice the door that isn't quite closed, the light that shouldn't be on, the table that hasn't been cleaned or something that simply doesn't look right.
Proactive – You don't wait to be told what needs doing.
Calm under pressure – If something happens at 2am, you can remain composed, assess the situation and take appropriate action.
Customer-focused – Whatever the time of night, our guests should receive friendly and professional service.
Trustworthy – You will be given significant responsibility and expected to work independently.
Proud of your work – When the morning team arrives, you want them to see that the hotel has been properly looked after.
Previous experience in hotels, hospitality, night work or security would be advantageous, but your attitude, reliability and personal standards are equally important to us.
Working Pattern
4 Nights On / 3 Nights Off
The rota includes weekends and bank holidays.
This is an active night position involving guest service, security patrols, cleaning, preparation and administration throughout the shift.
What We Offer
- Friendly and supportive working environment
- Stable 4-on / 3-off shift pattern
- On-site parking
- Staff discounts
- Beautiful location on the edge of Dartmoor
- A responsible role where your contribution genuinely matters
To Apply
If you are someone who cares about people, takes security seriously, notices the smallest details and takes pride in doing things properly, we'd like to hear from you.
Click Apply Now or bring your CV to:
Dartmoor Lodge Hotel
Peartree Cross
Ashburton
TQ13 7JW
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £13.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
