10 Best Hotel Jobs in Malaysia
Malaysia’s hospitality industry — which includes dozens of hotels and resorts — is valued at roughly $4 billion or RM 1.8 billion. It’s also expected to grow by 6.5 percent between now and 2030.
Do you want to be part of this fast-growing industry? If so, there are plenty of hotel and restaurant jobs in Malaysia to choose from.
Not sure which type of job is right for you? This in-depth guide can help.
Below, you’ll learn more about the best hotel jobs in Malaysia, gain insight into the average Malaysia hotel job salary ranges, and figure out how to prepare for a hotel job.
What Kinds of Hotel Jobs Are Out There?
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for hotel and restaurant jobs in Malaysia for foreigners or locals. You can find many options throughout the country, including the following types of jobs:
Like any other business, hotels need managers to keep them running smoothly.
In addition to individuals who manage (or assistant manage) the entire hotel, there’s also a demand for managers of various areas and departments. For example, most hotels have a housekeeping manager, restaurant manager, spa manager, etc.
Depending on your previous job experience, you may qualify for a managerial role even if you’ve never worked in a hotel before.
A housekeeping job is a good option for those who don’t have much work experience. It’s also a good fit for those who don’t speak the country’s most common languages because housekeepers typically don’t have to do much interacting with hotel guests.
Hotels have various customer service-related positions as well. One of the primary examples is the concierge role, but receptionists and managers also contribute to providing guests with a positive experience.
Many hotels and resorts have restaurants attached to them. As a result, there are lots of hotel restaurant positions available, from entry-level hosting positions to chef and kitchen crew jobs that require more experience and skills.
Several Malaysian hotels, especially luxury hotels, have spas attached as well.
The spa needs a manager to run that area of the business. However, there’s also a need for workers who can provide various services, such as massages, hair styling, manicures, pedicures, and skincare treatments.
What Are the Best Hotel Jobs in Malaysia?
As you can see, you have plenty of hotel and restaurant jobs in Malaysia that are worth considering. Want to learn more about some of the top options?
The list below breaks down the top 15 best hotel jobs in Malaysia, complete with Malaysia hotel job salary information.
A housekeeper is responsible for keeping hotels clean and sanitized — both the common areas and individual rooms. This position often doesn’t require previous experience, but if you have worked cleaning or housekeeping jobs before, that’s a bonus that can help you get hired and rise through the ranks faster.
Salary Range: RM 38,244 to RM 51,744 per year
Average Salary: RM 45,000 per year
Also known as a housekeeping supervisor, the housekeeping manager is responsible for overseeing all of the housekeepers who work at a particular hotel. They administer assignments, check people’s work to ensure it’s up to par, handle scheduling, and assist with the actual cleaning tasks as needed.
Salary Range: RM 21,560 to 68,320 per year
Average Salary: RM 45,600 per year
Security guards are stationed throughout the hotel, including outside around the perimeter and in the lobby, to ensure guests feel and stay safe during their stay.
Previous security experience is a plus if you’re interested in this type of job. Still, many also offer on-the-job training, so don’t be afraid to apply even if you’ve never worked in security before.
Salary Range: RM 13,512 to RM 18,288 per year
Average Salary: RM 15,900 per year
The hotel manager is critical to the business’s success. They oversee all employees, including the heads of various departments — all of whom report to them.
The hotel manager’s responsibilities include scheduling, budgeting, addressing customer concerns/complaints, overseeing everyday operations, and collaborating with the hotel’s owners, investors, etc.
Salary Range: RM 43,236 to RM 58,500 per year
Average Salary: RM 50,868 per year
The hotel assistant manager is the manager’s right-hand man (or woman).
The assistant manager works alongside the manager to execute various tasks and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. They also collaborate with and oversee managers and employees from other departments to keep the hotel operating as smoothly as possible.
Salary Range: RM 40,680 to RM 86,724 per year
Average Salary: RM 47,520 per year
A spa manager is responsible for overseeing all matters related to the hotel or resort spa.
They assist with hiring therapists and technicians, manage the spa’s schedule, and ensure guests have a positive experience. Sometimes, they are trained in a specific skill, like doing nails or giving massages, but they don’t have to be an effective manager.
Salary Range: RM 38,256 to RM 51,756 per year
Average Salary: RM 45,000 per year
A massage therapist is a key member of any hotel or resort’s spa staff. Of all the treatments one can receive while on vacation, a massage is easily one of the most popular.
Massage therapists use a variety of techniques to help guests relieve stress, address soreness or stiffness, and feel their best.
Salary Range: RM 27,600 to RM 44,400 per year
Average Salary: RM 36,000 per year
Like the spa manager and housekeeping manager, the restaurant manager supervises all aspects of the hotel restaurant.
They assist with hiring waitstaff, hosts/hostesses, kitchen staff, and other key players. They also handle scheduling, address customer concerns or complaints, and ensure guests have a good time and enjoy their meals.
Salary Range: RM 30,960 to RM 49,104 per year
Average Salary: RM 36,432 per year
Waiters and waitresses in hotel restaurants carry out the same tasks and have the same responsibilities as waiters and waitresses in other restaurants. They take guests’ orders, answer questions about the menu, deliver food and beverages as efficiently as possible, and contribute to the restaurant’s overall atmosphere.
Salary Range: RM 24,480 to RM 33,120 per year
Average Salary: RM 28,800 per year
Hosts and hostesses also play a crucial role in providing a positive restaurant atmosphere. In fact, they often set the scene because they’re the first people guests interact with.
The host or hostess greets guests, looks up reservations, and guides them to their tables. They may also handle reservation scheduling for guests who want to eat at the restaurant.
Salary Range: RM 28,560 to RM 38,640 per year
Average Salary: RM 33,600 per year
Bartenders are often part of the hotel restaurant staff. However, in hotels that only have a bar, they will naturally work alone.
In either case, the bartender takes guests’ drinks orders, prepares drinks to their specifications, and keep the bar area neat and tidy.
Salary Range: RM 11,688 to RM 15,816 per year
Average Salary: RM 13,752 per year
The chef plays the all-important role of preparing guests’ meals according to their needs and expectations. They also create the restaurant menu, oversee the kitchen staff, and provide direction throughout the daily meal services.
Salary Range: RM 16,032 to RM21,684 per year
Average Salary: RM 18,852 per year
The kitchen crew or kitchen staff works alongside the chef to help them prepare guests’ meals. They also assist with prep work, such as chopping vegetables, slicing bread, etc.
Salary Range: RM 20,892 to RM 28,260 per year
Average Salary: RM 24,576 per year
The receptionist is tasked with providing a positive experience for guests and making a great impression as soon as the guests walk through the front door.
Receptionists are responsible for greeting guests, checking them in, giving them their room keys, and arranging for their bags to be taken to their rooms. They also answer questions that guests might have when they first arrive, such as questions about the area or where certain attractions are located.
Salary Range: RM 13,932 to RM 18,840 per year
Average Salary: RM 16,380 per year
A concierge takes the receptionist’s job a step further. They carry out a variety of tasks that help the hotel’s guests have a great trip.
Examples of a concierge’s daily duties include recommending restaurants and attractions to visit, answering questions, addressing complaints, and making special arrangements as needed.
Salary Range: RM 40,896 to RM 55,296 per year
Average Salary: RM 48,096 per year
How to Prepare for a Job in a Hotel?
Whether you’re getting ready to interview for hotel and restaurant jobs in Malaysia for foreigners or if you’ve already been hired and want to make a good impression, these tips and suggestions can help. Give them a try to prepare to nail your new job.
Interview Tips
The first step to take when preparing for a job in a hotel is to make sure you master the interview. Dress professionally, arrive on time, and prepare answers to frequently asked interview questions, including the following:
- What interests you about [hotel position]?
- Do you have any previous [hotel position] experience?
- Do you have any prior hotel industry experience?
- What do you know about [hotel name]?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What are your scheduling expectations?
- What do you think is the most critical part of being a [hotel name] employee?
You will also likely get questions about how you would handle certain challenges. For example, you might be asked to explain how you’ll handle a problematic guest or navigate a complicated request.
Hotel and Industry Research
It’s also helpful to research the specific hotel at which you want to work and the hotel industry in Malaysia as a whole. This information can help you during the interview process and as you prepare for your first day of work.
The more you know about the hotel and industry, the easier it is to understand what kinds of challenges you might run into and the best way to handle them. You’ll also have more insight into the hotel’s company culture, its values, and the kind of experience its guests expect when they arrive.
Be a Great Employee
From your first day onward, there are several steps you can take to be a superior hotel employee. The following are some of the most important ones to keep in mind:
- Arrive early (especially on your first day)
- Take notes so you fully understand your responsibilities and your employer’s expectations.
- Keep your cell phone in your locker.
- Get comfortable accepting criticism and making changes based on the feedback you receive
- Pay attention to what senior employees do and try to emulate them
- Ask for help if you’re confused or concerned about something
- Focus on solutions instead of complaining about problems
- Remember that the guests’ experience is the most important thing
It’s normal to be overwhelmed when you first start a hotel job. If you follow these guidelines, though, you’ll settle in sooner and have a more positive work experience.
Apply for the Best Hotel Jobs in Malaysia Today
Whether you want an entry-level restaurant job or a managerial position, there are lots of ways to break into the Malaysian hospitality industry.
Use the information shared above to find the most suitable job for you and set yourself up for a successful first day (and beyond).
Do you need help finding and applying for the best hotel jobs in Malaysia? GrabJobs’ free tool makes it easier than ever to search for openings and apply within seconds.
