Chauffeur

A chauffeur is a man or woman employed to drive and look after a car or limousine. A chauffeuse refers in particular to a lady driver.

Not like small hotels who usually book chauffeur service from professional chauffeur companies, many luxury hotels insist on hiring and training their own chauffeurs, maintaining private limousines. The pros and cons are obvious: booking chauffeurs and cars is very convenient; not establishing and maintaining a chauffeur team can save a hotel much money and some problems; chauffeurs rented from a third party may be as experienced and hospitable as a hotel’s and the limousines are same neat, but those chauffeurs don’t know the hotel’s culture, value, standard and procedures, they even wear distinctive uniform at most time, that will be seen as a flaw in perfect service.

History

The term chauffeur is believed comes from the French term for stoker. Because the earliest automobiles, like the railroad and sea vessel counterparts, were steam-powered and required the driver to stoke the engine. Early petrol/gasoline-powered motor cars, before the advent of electric ignition, were ignited by 'hot tubes' in the cylinder head which had to be pre-heated before the engine would start. Hence the term chauffeur which, in this context, means something like "heater-upper". The chauffeur would prime the hot tubes at the start of a journey, after which the natural compression cycle of the engine would keep them at the correct temperature. The chauffeur also maintained the car, including routine maintenance and cleaning, and had to be a skilled mechanic to deal with breakdowns and flat tires, which were very common in the earliest years of the automobile.

Only the very wealthy could afford the first automobiles, and they generally employed chauffeurs rather than driving themselves. A 1906 article in The New York Times reported that "...the chauffeur problem to-day is one of the most serious that the automobilist has to deal with.", and complained that "...young men of no particular ability, who have been earning from $10 to $12 a week, are suddenly elevated to salaried positions paying from $25 to $50..." and recommended the re-training of existing coach drivers.

Essential Duties

• Keep a tab on the vehicle and report to the respective hotel authority in case of maintenance or repair need.
• Transport guests to/from assigned destinations using property vehicle, meet all the comfort requirements of the hotel guests and customer.
• Ensure safe and easy travel for the customers/guests to their destinations or to the hotel.
• Assist the guests in any travel or destination regarding issues by applying his/her knowledge of the local area.
• Comply with all the traffic/road rules and regulation of the state while also following the policies of the hotel authorities.
• Document all trips prior to the start of and at the conclusion of each trip, file the record of the timings for which the vehicle was used and the purpose to his/her superior.
• Park vehicle in designated location when not in use. Inspect property vehicles for damage and cleanliness.
• Check tire pressure and fluid levels for property vehicle, and refuel as necessary.
• Notify appropriate personnel of any vehicle maintenance needs.
• Document all vehicle incidents (i.e., damages, accidents, tickets) and provide reports of incidents to manager/supervisor.
• Report accidents, injuries, and unsafe work conditions to manager; complete safety training and certifications.

Salaries

Driver salaries at Four Seasons can range from $32,079-$36,005. This estimate is based upon 2 Four Seasons Driver salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods.

Driver salaries at Hilton can range from $29,231-$33,540. This estimate is based upon 2 Hilton Driver salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods.

The typical Marriott International Driver salary is $30,672. Driver salaries at Marriott International can range from $29,383 - $32,753. This estimate is based upon 6 Marriott International Driver salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods. When factoring in bonuses and additional compensation, a Driver at Marriott International can expect to make an average total pay of $30,672.

The typical Hyatt Driver salary is $31,963. Driver salaries at Hyatt can range from $29,793 - $36,001. This estimate is based upon 11 Hyatt Driver salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods. When factoring in bonuses and additional compensation, a Driver at Hyatt can expect to make an average total pay of $31,963.

Requirements

• History of safe driving with a valid Driver’s license
• Adhere to all traffic regulations and speed limits
• Skill for building relationships
• Solid communication and organization skills
• Strong interpersonal and team player skills
• Prior customer service skills in a luxury environment
• Strong problem solving and time management skills
• Language skills a plus
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, able to work morning/afternoon shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability up to 50 pounds on a consistent basis