Host
Welcome Guests to One of Michigan’s Most Iconic Dining Spots
Imagine starting your workday in a beautifully restored railroad depot, just minutes from the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The Historic Depot, managed by Mackinaw Hotel Management, is looking for energetic and friendly international students to join its front-of-house team as Hosts for the Summer to Fall season in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
As a Host, you are the very first person guests meet – and the reason they’ll remember their visit. If you love meeting new people, enjoy a fast-paced atmosphere and want to seriously upgrade your English, this is the Work & Travel USA job for you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Greeting guests with a warm smile and seating them promptly and efficiently
- Managing the waiting list and quoting accurate wait times during busy tourist hours
- Presenting menus, answering basic questions about the restaurant and the area
- Coordinating with servers and managers to keep the dining room flowing smoothly
- Answering phone calls and helping with reservations
- Keeping the entrance, host stand and menus clean, organized and inviting
- Assisting with light side duties such as resetting tables and helping teammates during peak times
Compensation & Schedule
- Hourly rate: $13.00 per hour
- Average hours: 32 hours per week (with the possibility of extra shifts during peak season)
- Season: Summer through Fall – one of the busiest and most beautiful times in Northern Michigan
- Tips: Not included in this position – your steady hourly wage is guaranteed
Why Mackinaw City?
Mackinaw City is a classic American summer town sitting right where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron, at the foot of the famous Mackinac Bridge. It is the gateway to Mackinac Island – a car-free island famous for horse-drawn carriages, fudge shops and Victorian hotels, reachable by a short ferry ride.
In your free time you can cycle along the lakeshore, watch spectacular sunsets over the Straits, explore Historic Mill Creek and Colonial Michilimackinac, swim from sandy public beaches, or simply hang out with your international coworkers at a beachside bonfire. In the fall, the forests explode into red and gold – Michigan’s autumn colors are world famous.
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 with a valid J-1 Work & Travel visa
- Conversational to good English – you’ll be speaking with guests all day
- A friendly, outgoing personality and genuine hospitality mindset
- Ability to stand and move around during your shift
- Reliability, punctuality and a neat, professional appearance
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays – the busiest tourist times
- Team spirit and a positive attitude; no previous experience required, full training provided
Program Benefits
- Guaranteed hourly pay with a professional, student-friendly employer
- Real customer-service and communication experience for your CV
- Rapid English improvement in a native-speaking environment
- A large international student community – friends from all over the world
- Free time to travel the Great Lakes region and the option to explore the USA after your program
Ready to spend your best summer welcoming guests to a piece of American history? Apply now – places for The Historic Depot fill up fast!
About Michigan
Michigan's Great Lakes shores, Mackinac Island and resort towns make for a classic lakeside summer. Students work in island hotels, resorts and restaurants surrounded by beaches and forests.
Other Host / Hostess offers in Michigan
Host/Food Runner @ Pancake Chef Restaurant
Host @ Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and Pink Pony Restaurant
