
Why being a reservation manager is more than managing bookings
Not every career begins with certainty, but sometimes, the smallest nudge can spark something extraordinary. For Laura Wahl, that spark came from her mother, who saw her natural people skills and booked a meeting at the Mövenpick Hotel Berlin.
What followed was a career full of heart, growth, and purpose.
Today, Laura is a proud Reservation Manager at Accor, where she brings her passion for people and precision to every booking, every guest, and every moment.
What does a reservation manager actually do?
A reservation manager is the strategic heartbeat of a hotel’s booking operations. From ensuring guests’ needs are met before they even arrive, to managing availability and optimizing revenue, the role blends hospitality, organisation, and communication.
For Laura, it’s a role where empathy meets efficiency, where every detail matters because every guest matters. It’s not just about filling rooms; it’s about creating seamless experiences that begin long before check-in.
Becoming a reservation manager in hospitality
There’s no one-size-fits-all route, but Laura’s story proves that passion, curiosity, and persistence can take you far. She started as a trainee, moved through the front desk, and explored different positions before stepping into reservations.
Each experience, from administration to guest service, equipped her with the skills and perspective she now uses daily.
Her advice? Don’t wait to feel ready. Say yes to opportunities, grow through experience, and trust that your unique path matters.
The power of connection through communication
At the heart of every great reservation manager is the ability to connect. Whether it's helping a guest feel heard in a different language or coordinating with teams behind the scenes, clear communication is key.
Laura’s favourite moments often involve going the extra mile, like using a translation app and hand-drawn sketches to help a guest who spoke only Russian. That guest left a heartfelt note, reminding her that effort and empathy speak louder than words.
Skills needed to thrive as a reservation manager
This role demands a unique mix of precision and people skills. You need to manage systems and numbers, but also emotions, expectations, and relationships.
Laura has grown into her role by mastering tools, staying organised, and leading with empathy. She highlights how working with diverse guests and teams helps you grow personally and professionally.
It teaches you to stay flexible, be culturally aware, and turn challenges into moments of connection.
A place where growth feels personal
For Laura, the answer is a resounding yes. Returning to Mövenpick after gaining experience elsewhere felt like coming home and reaffirmed just how many doors Accor can open.
With a global presence and a strong commitment to people development, Accor is a place where your role is valued and your future is supported.
As a reservation manager, Laura feels empowered, seen, and part of something bigger: a community of Heartists® who lead with compassion and purpose.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in reservations?
“Don’t be shy, just start,” says Laura. “Grow through your daily experiences and try everything. You’re important enough to create something big.”
Her advice reflects what makes the hospitality industry so powerful: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to care, stay curious, and keep learning. Whether you’re just starting out or ready for a new challenge, there’s room for you in this world, and your voice matters.
Start your journey as a reservation manager
Laura’s story is proof that you don’t need to follow a straight line to find your purpose. With passion, people skills, and a bit of courage, you can build a career that grows with you, just like she did.
Explore opportunities to become a reservation manager with Accor and be part of a movement that celebrates individuality, empowers growth, and leads with heart.
Discover our latest news!
Latest thinking

Teaser
Housekeeping jobsContent Type
Heartists®’ insightsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
What does it take to thrive in hospitality? For Halima Chelkha, the answer is passion. Now an Assistant Housekeeping Manager at Mercure Rif Nador in Morocco, Halima’s journey shows how a role in h

Teaser
Culinary jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Working in an Accor kitchen means stepping into a world where every moment counts and every skill matters. It’s fast, it’s challenging, it’s full of energy, and it’s where you transform raw ingred
+(2).jpeg)
Teaser
Food and Beverage jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Not every career begins at a desk. Some start behind a bar, where creativity flows as freely as conversation, and every shift is a chance to make someone’s day. At Accor, bar jobs are more than ju
.jpeg)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, every Heartist® plays a part in creating exceptional experiences for our guests — and the Maintenance Technician is no exception. As the backbone of hotel operations, Maintenance Technic
.jpeg)
Teaser
HR jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, our Heartists® are at the heart of everything we do, and our Human Resources (HR) teams play an important role in shaping that success. Behind every thriving team and engaged Heartist® i
.jpeg)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
Step into any Accor hotel, and you’ll notice the polished floors, the perfect lighting, and the quiet hum of everything working just as it should. What you won’t always see is the team making that
.jpeg)
Teaser
Food and Beverage jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
There’s something special about the way a great meal can bring people together. At Accor, food and drink go far beyond the plate, they’re an experience, a connection, and a chance to make someone’s

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
BlogsPublish date
03/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, we believe that a fulfilling career goes hand in hand with making a positive impact on the world. Sustainability in hospitality is at the heart of our values, and we’re proud to be leadin
__original+(1).jpeg)
Teaser
Revenue Management jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
03/27/2025
Summary
What is a Hotel Revenue Manager? A hotel revenue manager at Accor is a strategic leader who drives profitability and shapes the future of the hotel’s financial success. This role goes beyond numb
.jpeg)
Teaser
Culinary jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
03/27/2025
Summary
Are you passionate about creating unforgettable dining experiences? Do you dream of honing your skills in a dynamic and inspiring kitchen? At Accor, being a Commis Chef is more than just a job—it’s
Latest jobs
Salary
Location
Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Montebello, Canada
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
FAIRMONT
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Montebello
Job Category
Rooms
Description
Anticipation et accueil des clients : Mettre en œuvre des stratégies personnalisées pour anticiper les besoins des clients, notamment les VIP, en coordonnant les accueils, les aménités et les programm
Reference
f0bcc908-e9fd-499f-90ec-09ebf47a2b47
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
MOVENPICK RESORT & SPA BINTAN LAGOON, MOVENPICK RESORT & SPA BINTAN LAGOON, Lagoi, Indonesia
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
MOVENPICK
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Indonesia
Job Category
Rooms
Description
We are seeking a detail-oriented and efficient Night Auditor to join our team. As a Night Auditor, you will play a crucial role in ensuring smooth overnight operations and maintaining exceptional gues
Reference
5f88446a-5667-47d7-986a-d19707c97ef5
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, Carolina, Puerto Rico
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
FAIRMONT
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Carolina
Job Category
Revenue Management & Pricing
Description
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel Assistant Reservations Manager assist with the optimization of the Reservations Team by ensuring quality reservation service to all customers in a timely manner. The positio
Reference
07c5be49-5063-49a2-8aa1-8de99e56e887
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
21c Museum Hotel Durham, Durham, United States
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
21C MUSEUM HOTELS
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Durham
Job Category
Rooms
Description
Specific Responsibilities:Retrieves items from shelves and storerooms, set up cleaning cart with supplies for daily use, constantly organizing carts, and storerooms in a clean and orderly fashion.Clea
Reference
b879ffcf-f90d-4f20-99cb-ba48a3037809
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
21c Museum Hotel Durham, Durham, United States
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
21C MUSEUM HOTELS
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Durham
Job Category
Rooms
Description
Reports To: Housekeeping Manager or Housekeeping Supervisor General Purpose: Cleans and prepares public areas according to an established standard of cleaning to assure guest satisfaction and the ove
Reference
e5224073-631b-433b-9d42-0f9ec4899273
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
21c Museum Hotel Durham, Durham, United States
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
21C MUSEUM HOTELS
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Durham
Job Category
Rooms
Description
Reports To: Night Manager/Front Office Manager General Purpose: Audit, balance, and report on the various areas of the hotel (e.g., food and beverage outlets, rooms/front desk, gift shop, etc.) to pro
Reference
15579ee9-b6f7-4a3d-9614-f94a72048fcd
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
21c Museum Hotel Bentonville, Bentonville, United States
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
21C MUSEUM HOTELS
Job type
Permanent
Locations
United States
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
Reports To: Food & Beverage DirectorSupervises: Event staff of approximately 20 peopleGeneral Purpose: The Event Manager coordinates the overall planning and execution of events that are scheduled in
Reference
a2ccaa26-4478-495e-86ca-2c997acf4ff5
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Grand Mercure Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, Rio de Contas, Brazil
Experience Level
Student
Job Schedule
Part-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Internship
Locations
Brazil
Job Category
Engineering & Maintenance
Description
Elaboração de relatórios, atendimento telefônico e controles do estoque de material auxiliando na organização e pedidos.
Reference
8449a3f6-4181-42c0-8813-7f5b966a9ef7
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
21c Museum Hotel Durham, Durham, United States
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
21C MUSEUM HOTELS
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Durham
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
Reports To: Restaurant Managers, Food & Beverage DirectorGeneral Purpose: The AM Restaurant Server is an engaging and enthusiastic ambassador for the restaurant, intuiting the guest's appetites throug
Reference
db8d53e8-a778-4f31-ad94-6a1ae592c8e4
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
21c Museum Hotel Durham, Durham, United States
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
21C MUSEUM HOTELS
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Durham
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
Reports To: Restaurant Managers, Food & Beverage DirectorGeneral Purpose: The Restaurant Server is an engaging and enthusiastic ambassador for the restaurant, intuiting the guest's appetites through v
Reference
1bdb933a-42bb-4895-9575-0954c7f8bedc
Expiry Date
01/01/0001