How to Write a Hospitality Cover Letter (+Examples)

Key Takeaways

• A hospitality cover letter introduces you to employers, highlights your people skills, and explains why you’re a strong fit for guest-facing roles.
• Personalizing your letter to the company and role shows you understand the guest experience they expect.
• Each section of your letter should serve a purpose, from a clear introduction to specific examples in the body that align with the employer’s needs.

After months of searching for careers in hospitality, you’ve finally found the perfect job opportunity. Maybe it’s working at a five-star hotel, a cozy boutique resort, or a restaurant with exceptional service. You’re excited and ready to apply, but then you find yourself wondering how to write the perfect hospitality cover letter.

In hospitality, where first impressions and people skills are valuable, your cover letter is your first impression. It showcases your personality, professionalism, experience, and passion for service.

Whether you’re applying for a role in the front desk, concierge, or guest services, the cover letter helps your employers see how you’ll interact with guests and contribute to the team.

What Is a Hospitality Cover Letter?

A hospitality cover letter is a short, personalized letter that you send alongside your resume when applying for a position in the hospitality industry. It serves to introduce you, explain why you are interested in the position, and highlight your best attributes, particularly the aspects that make you a great fit for guest service.

Although many industries use cover letters, hospitality cover letters have a more specific focus. Employers in this industry seek candidates who can effectively relate to visitors, handle issues promptly, and demonstrate professionalism and warmth while representing the business.

Why a Hospitality-Tailored Cover Letter Matters

Personalization is key to everything in hospitality, including your cover letter. A personalized hospitality cover letter shows employers you understand the expectations and values of their workplace.

It signals that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company, guests, and what they expect in a team member. A customized letter speaks specifically to the role, whether it’s a luxury hotel, a busy café, or a travel-based customer role.

You can mention specific hospitality skills and experiences that match what they need, using language similar to the job description. Sending a generic cover letter can give the impression that you’re not interested enough in the job position.

If you are unsure how to personalize your letter, a career coach can help you align your experiences and language with the company’s needs.

Key Sections of a Hospitality Cover Letter

While every cover letter is unique, a strong hospitality cover letter follows a specific structure where each section has a clear purpose:

Header and greeting

Your cover letter header should include your full name, phone number, email address, and location to make it easy for employers to contact you.

Follow this information with a professional greeting, like addressing the letter to a specific person, like the hiring manager, to show attention to detail and professionalism.

If you can’t find a name, use a polite, general greeting such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Hiring Team.”

Example:

Dear Hiring Manager, or Dear Hospitality Recruitment Team.

Introduction

The opening paragraph should clearly state the position you are applying for to avoid any confusion. If you heard about the role through a conversation with a company representative at the International Recruitment Forum (IRF) or through another industry connection, briefly mention their name and how you came across the opportunity.

Make sure the opening statement grabs the recruiters’ attention by clearly expressing your interest in the role.

Example:

I am writing to apply for the [Mention position you’re applying for] position at [Mention name of the business], as listed on your careers page. With a strong passion for service and international guest experience, I am eager to contribute to your team’s reputation for excellence.

Body

The body of your letter is the most important section. Use it to highlight one to three of the main requirements from the job description and show how your skills and experience match what the employer is specifically looking for. Do not just focus on general industry skills, instead be specific and relevant.

Use specific examples from your previous work, internships, or achievements to demonstrate how you’ve applied these skills in real-life situations. Align your experience with the company’s values and service standards to show you understand their expectations.

If you’re a student at Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), mention your participation in the IRF. Through IRF, you may have connected with recruiters, secured an internship or job, or even volunteered with a company, gaining real-world experience.

As SHMS student, Miklós Kálnoky, shared,

At the IRF, the most valuable thing on offer is opportunity. Surrounded by so many recruiters and representatives of huge brands and companies, all looking for capable and motivated "future employees." You can build connections and network with people and businesses that can assist you throughout your career. I've got an internship in a "hotel operations management training" at a Marriott hotel in Richmond, Virginia.

Including something like this in your cover letter shows employers that you’ve already taken initiative to build industry relationships and develop practical skills.

Example:

During my internship at [Mention name of the business], I worked at the front desk, assisting guests from over 30 countries. I learned how to remain calm under pressure, resolve last-minute reservation issues, and make guests feel genuinely welcomed. I also participated in the International Recruitment Forum (IRF) at SHMS, where I met representatives from leading hotel brands. This led to a volunteer opportunity at a corporate event hosted by [Mention name of the business], which gave me first-hand experience in high-end event service.

Conclusion

The conclusion of your hospitality cover letter should end with a strong final impression. Restate your enthusiasm for the role and express interest in discussing your qualifications further to show initiative and professionalism.

Thank the reader politely for their time and consideration, and end the letter with a confident closing line, such as “I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you” or “I would be thrilled to contribute to your team.”

Finish with a formal sign-off like “Yours sincerely” or “Respectfully yours,” followed by your name.

Example:

Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to your guest experience goals. I am excited about the possibility of joining your team and bringing my enthusiasm for hospitality to your property.

Yours sincerely,

Name Surname

Tips for Writing a Strong Hospitality Cover Letter

A great hospitality cover letter shows that you understand the industry’s requirements, including service, adaptability, and guest experience. These quick tips can help you stand out:

• Lead with purpose and personality: Open your letter with enthusiasm and include the company’s name. Let your reader know how interested you are.
• Match the job ad’s language and tone: Choose key words or phrases from the job description and use them naturally in your letter to show that you understand the requirements.
• Use action verbs and results: Say what you did and what happened through sentences like “Trained three new front desk agents during peak season—cut check-in time by 15%.”
• Show soft skills in action: Instead of listing your characteristics, describe moments in which you demonstrated skills, like stepping in for a teammate or calming a frustrated customer.
• End with a service mindset: End your letter by showing how you’ll contribute to guest satisfaction and be a hardworking team member.
• Proofread and personalize: Before submitting, carefully review your letter and personalize it for each application.

Cover Letter Format for Entries With No Experience

When you’re applying for your first job in the hospitality industry, a lack of formal work experience shouldn’t hold you back from trying. Instead, you should focus on creating a strong cover letter.

It should highlight your transferable skills, such as communication, customer service, and teamwork, which you’ve built through internships, school projects, or volunteer work. Students from SHMS are at an advantage, even when starting their careers for the first time.

The school provides a hands-on, practical approach, giving students real-world experiences that reflect industry challenges. Whether it’s coordinating a student-led event, completing a group project, or assisting during internship placements, SHMS graduates have the opportunity to develop key professional skills.

In your cover letter, describe these kinds of experiences with confidence. For example, you can explain how volunteering at a school-hosted event taught you how to handle guests and stay organized under pressure. These experiences are highly valuable in the eyes of employers.

The BA in International Hospitality Management offers students the opportunity to take part in different internships and projects throughout their studies. One graduate from this program, Rytė, shared some of her student stories from her time at SHMS.

She mentions,

My favorite memory was our second-year banquet. We were tasked with creating a banquet from scratch, and it was quite the challenge to pull it off! However, it was a great opportunity to learn how to work together as a team, which was so helpful later when I joined the event sales team at Shangri-La The Shard in London.

Experiences like this show that even as a student, you can take on real responsibilities and develop the kind of teamwork and problem-solving skills employers are often looking for.

Most importantly, express your internship aspirations to show people how eager you are to grow and learn. Hospitality employers are looking for people who are passionate, adaptable, and committed to offering excellent customer service. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a strong cover letter can fall flat if it has common mistakes, such as:

• Using the same template for every job: Employers can tell when a cover letter is generic, but personalizing each letter to the specific role and company leaves a better impression.
• Repeating your resume: Your cover letter should add context, not just give similar information from your CV. Focus on how and why your experience matters.
• Being too casual or too stiff: Aim for a professional but natural tone. Avoid slang, but make sure your language doesn’t sound robotic.
• Ignoring grammatical or spelling errors: Grammatical mistakes suggest a lack of care. Always proofread your letter, as even one mistake can hurt your chances.
• Exaggerating or being vague: Include honest and specific examples throughout your letter, as employers value clarity and originality.

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Hospitality

A strong cover letter for hospitality can help you stand out in the job market. It provides an opportunity to explain your enthusiasm for customer service, your professionalism, and how you enhance the guest experience.

Before submitting your letter, take the time to personalize it for each application. Small details can show employers you’re serious about the company and attentive to their work.

SHMS offers a true Swiss hospitality experience, complete with hands-on projects and global industry exposure, that prepares students for real-world roles. If you want to gain hospitality skills and real-world experience through networking opportunities and internships, consider exploring our programs.

Make your first impression count by starting your career path here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a hospitality cover letter be?

A hospitality cover letter should be concise, no longer than one page or about 3-4 short paragraphs.

Can I reuse the same cover letter for multiple applications?

You can reuse a basic cover letter structure, but it’s essential to customize each letter for a specific job and employer.

Is a PDF or Word file better for my hospitality cover letter?

A PDF version is better as it preserves your formatting and looks professional on any device. However, always check the employer’s instructions first, as some may prefer a Word file. If there are no preferences, stick with PDF.