HAP Holland America Denali Lodge

Welcome Guests to the Heart of the Alaskan Wilderness

Imagine starting your shift with a view of North America’s tallest peak and ending your day watching the midnight sun paint the tundra gold. As a Host/Cashier at HAP Holland America Denali Lodge, you’ll be the friendly first face travellers from around the world meet when they arrive at one of the most iconic destinations on the planet — Denali National Park, Alaska.

This is more than a summer job. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime Work & Travel USA experience where your workplace is surrounded by six million acres of pristine wilderness, grizzly bears, moose, caribou and endless hiking trails.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Greeting and seating guests with genuine Alaskan hospitality
• Managing the host stand, waitlists and reservations during busy meal periods
• Operating the POS system, processing cash and card payments accurately
• Answering guest questions about the menu, the lodge and the national park
• Keeping the entrance and dining areas clean, organized and welcoming
• Working as part of an international team to create memorable guest experiences

Position Details

• Employer: HAP Holland America Denali Lodge
• Position: Host/Cashier
• Location: Denali National Park, Alaska
• Industry: Hospitality
• Pay: $16.00 per hour
• Hours: 40 hours per week (overtime possible during peak season)
• Season: Summer to Fall
• Tips: Not applicable for this position

Why Denali National Park?

Denali is Alaska’s crown jewel. On your days off you can raft the Nenana River, take a flightseeing tour over Mt. Denali, spot wildlife on the park road, hike alpine ridges, try ziplining or simply relax with new friends from a dozen different countries. Long summer daylight hours mean your adventures don’t have to end when your shift does.

The lodge is a hub for international students, so you’ll instantly join a vibrant community of young people living, working and exploring together — the kind of friendships that last long after the season ends.

Benefits of the Program

• Competitive $16/hour wage with guaranteed 40-hour weeks
• Employee housing available on or near the property
• Meal discounts and staff dining options
• Employee recreation programs, staff events and excursion discounts
• Real-world experience with a globally recognized hospitality brand (Holland America)
• Massive improvement in your English and customer-service skills
• A U.S. work reference that stands out on any CV

What We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the J-1 Work & Travel USA program
• Conversational to good English communication skills
• A positive, guest-focused attitude and a big smile
• Reliability, punctuality and the ability to stay calm when it gets busy
• Comfortable standing for extended periods and working weekends/holidays
• Flexibility, teamwork and a genuine sense of adventure
• Availability from early summer through fall

Ready for Alaska?

Positions at Denali are among the most requested in the entire Work & Travel USA program and they fill up fast. If you want a summer of mountains, wildlife, new friends and an unbeatable story to tell, apply for the Host/Cashier role at HAP Holland America Denali Lodge today.