A day in the life of a hostel receptionist during low-season (disposable camera edition)

Welcome to out Disposable Camera Campaign, featuring the heroes of our beloved hostel stays. Today, meet Daniela, receptionist at WOT Ericeira Surf Social hostel!

June, July, and August flew by, and even the shoulder season came to an end. It’s unbelievable for me to think that the travel season of 2025 will be history from next month on. Still, that shouldn’t stop us from exploring charming beach towns and thrilling capitals. The month of November might be overlooked by many but is a true secret to those who wish to escape their daily life and calm down in a quiet atmosphere.

One of the most memorable hostel stays I’ve ever had

I recently went to Ericeira, a lovely surf town close to Lisbon and, of course, right next to the beach. I was left speechless by the cute stores, dramatic cliffs and ocean views. But most importantly, what made my trip unforgettable (and maybe even my favorite of the entire year 2025) was the amazing hostel I stayed in.
WOT Ericeira Surf Social is one of a kind and a hostel I can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone. No matter if you’re a social butterfly or find yourself more of an introvert, you’ll love this place regardless. You can choose between a 12-bed mixed dorm, a private room, and everything in between. The common areas are everything you can ask for. They even have a pool, half-pipe, and billiard table.

As you can see, I could go on for days, but I decided to let the hostel speak for itself. I was lucky enough to talk to Daniela. She works at WOT Ericeira Surf Social as a receptionist and was super kind to answer some of my burning questions.

Meet Daniela, a receptionist at the WOT Ericeira Surf Social hostel, and spot some cool disposable camera pictures she took during her work day

Ever wondered what working in a hostel really is like? Look no further and let Daniela reveal all the secrets. Grab a cup of coffee or your favourite treat to snack on while reading this insightful interview.

How did you start working at this hostel?

I looked for something related to hospitality since I took it in school and I was interested in it. And I already knew WOTs, so I looked it up, and they had an open position at the Ericeira Hotel, and I applied. Later on, I changed from the hotel to this hostel.

Do you think it’s different from working for a big hotel chain instead? 

Yes, it could be. You find people everywhere, and it’s easier to connect with the guests. That’s the best experience for me. You can literally make friends from all over the world and with different backgrounds all within your work hours and work space. 

What do you think makes this hostel special?

The people, for sure. Of course, all the guests are here for different reasons. But I feel like they all come here to experience something. They all get to meet other people, other guests, but also the staff.

I’d say all my colleagues are open-minded. We try to create connections. And that’s what the hostel lives off: the connections you can make here. It’s funny because we have many people who, of course, make friends here, but some people even met their significant other in this hostel. We know of two couples so far who are married now.  That’s just crazy.

What’s one funny or memorable thing you’ve seen while working?

The cats always cause a lot of fun. They’re a bit naughty sometimes. But also the barbecues we do every Wednesday in the summer.

I remember a group of people building an extremely high tower out of beer cans. That was fun for sure – until the thing collapsed.

What keeps you motivated? 

I really like the view over the sea whenever I arrive. It’s always nice, and although I see it every day, I still look forward to it. I always take pictures. And from the rooftop, it’s even better. But then also my colleagues. We’re a really nice group, and it’s fun to work together.

How is working in the off-season different from in the summer? 

In the summer, it’s a rush. If you like it, it’s fun. I always look forward to it. The time in the summer flies by so fast. Even with the guests, the vibe is different; they all go surfing. I really feel like it’s different from the low season. But what comes with the low season are stronger connections. Firstly, there are fewer people, and then also the people that do come tend to stay for longer. We get people that stay for one or two months, which is totally fine. And we get to build stronger connections since they are around longer.

What are your tasks as a receptionist? 

It really depends on whether you’re working the morning, afternoon, or night shift. Myself, I usually work the morning shift. The typical procedures we have to do in the morning are charging the reservations and seeing who’s coming today and who is checking out. For the people who check out, we have to make sure the balance is at zero and they don’t have any open bills.

Then we also check our emails and reply to all of them. We have a group chat on WhatsApp for our guests as well. And we like to keep them informed that way. So each morning I send a message with today’s agenda and activities. Stuff like at what time the surf lesson starts, if there is a yoga session or similar things. We check the common areas as well. We do it 2 times during the morning shift and two times during the afternoon shift. Just to make sure everything is always clean and tidy.

The breakfast is also a big part of the morning. Someone else is in charge of that, but I do help if anything is missing. And then once it’s over, I arrange all the leftovers so people can grab them for free and nothing goes to waste. Sometimes packages arrive for that reason too. As a receptionist, we are also responsible for the coordination of the bedsheets and clean linens.

Afterward, I check the rooms so they are ready for the new guests. We also do the bar here, as there is no bartender. But I really like it. It’s one of my favorite tasks. So we stock the bar in the morning, count the cashier, serve a few people, and see what’s missing. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

The first impression is always the most important for us. Whether it’s good or bad, this is how you’ll remember us. And it really depends on whether your first time staying here is during high or low season. I know many people who prefer a quiet place, and then the low season is perfect. If you’re a social butterfly, then the high season is perfect. Both seasons have something special to offer and are super nice. It just depends on the kind of person you are.

Also, not only our team but also the unit (and I feel like the city in general) really tries their best to offer the best experience for the guests possible. Such as being nice or just taking care of something and paying attention. For example, many people go, “Wow, you remember my name,” or “Wow, you remember me from my last stay.” And we do really try to make that difference because people make our shifts more fun as well.

We do really try to create this atmosphere for the people. Not only because there wouldn’t be work for us without new guests, but we work in hospitality. My approach to hospitality is to try and please others because it brings me joy as well. I take it both ways: if you’re happy, I’m happy.

In the mood for more disposable camera shots and receptionist stories?

Check out our Instagram and TikTok page to see more of our content. Besides our receptionist Daniela, we handed out a disposable camera to guests, bartenders and housekeepers.

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