Have you ever wondered what the hotel concierge can do for you? The duties of a concierge include making your stay enjoyable, stress-free and unforgettable.
In fact, great concierges know how to get stuff done.
My advice? Get to know the hotel concierge and discover what they can do for you.
Getting to Know the Hotel Concierge
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In November 2018, Chris and I arrived in Aix-en-Provence only to encounter the beginning of the Yellow Vest Protests. Getting stuck in protestor traffic became the norm for the next few days of our vacation.
As we returned to the Renaissance Aix-en-Provence Hotel that first evening after encountering the protestors, Chris spent some time chatting with and getting to know the hotel concierge, Fredrik.
Over the next couple of days, Fredrik and Chris bonded over their shared frustrations. Each night as we returned to the hotel, Chris spent time chatting with Fredrik getting pointers and helpful hints to avoid the protestors and making note of routes to take and places to visit.
Fredrik’s help was most beneficial to us; plus his suggestions for beautiful day trips were spot on.
We spent five spectacular days in the South of France and loved every minute of our vacation. I was excited for all of the photography opportunities and snapped some of my favorite photos of the South of France following the advice Fredrik gave.
25 Helpful Things the Hotel Concierge Can Do For You
As you begin your travels and adventures, you will find that getting to know the hotel concierge is beneficial for a variety of reasons.
Think of them as YOUR safe travel concierge: their goal is to make your stay enjoyable AND safe. Concierges are often the first point of contact for guests who require assistance or information. Their role is to answer questions, gather in-depth knowledge of hotel services, and cultivate relationships with surrounding businesses and venues.
1. Answer General Questions
The hotel concierge has the responsibility to cultivate relationships with local service providers, restaurants, and venues. In doing so, they are able to help hotel guests plan and organize activities and dining options during their stay.
Sometimes the personal concierge service is as simple as answering general questions and pointing YOU in the right direction for your next adventure.
2. Assist with Dinner Suggestions or Reservations
Some nights as Chris and I travel, we don’t always plan ahead for our evening meal.
When Chris and I visited Florence in 2017, we happily made friends with David, the hotel concierge, at the Sina Villa Medici Hotel. The Pensave Peggio, a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, came highly rated. Not only did David call to make reservations for us but he also marked a map of the city, giving us walking directions to the restaurant.
The concierge makes it his business to know the managers at top restaurants and venues and has created relationships with them to help in securing hard-to-get reservations for you as a the hotel guest.
3. Obtain Movie or Show Tickets or Excursions
Planning to see a movie, play, or musical? Your personal concierge service will likely have connections in obtaining the tickets you need. Reserving tickets in advance also helps you avoid waiting in line.
4. Provide Directions and Maps
While many maps are available online, it is often nice to have a map in hand. The concierge will have access to the maps you need and perhaps give you advice on how to avoid construction and delays as you travel. Again, think of them as your safe travel concierge!
Need help getting to the shopping district? Ask the hotel concierge. Some hotels have a car or shuttle service to help you arrive at your destination.
Need advice on the best day trips? The concierge services at the hotel will again offer help to guide you.
5. Book Transportation For a Day Trip
Again, connections.
And you will probably want more than a bike, but the concierge could help you with that too.
The concierge knows whom to call and whom to trust. He or she can save you money so that you don’t overpay.
Need a ride to the airport first thing in the morning? Arrange it with the hotel concierge the night before so that your exit is as smooth as possible.
6. Reserve a Tee Time for You
Do you love to play golf during your travels? Ask your concierge for help in recommending a great course and in reserving a tee time for you.
7. Recommend Nightlife Hotspots
If you enjoy a night on the town, talk to the concierge about local hotspots, evening events, and best places to mingle.
Not only will they direct you to the best events, but as your safe travel concierge, they will also keep your safety in mind for late night activities.
8. Arrange for Spa or Salon Services
Ahhhh, after a long day of being a tourist, wouldn’t a massage feel awesome?
Or maybe you are ready to pamper yourself with a facial or hairstyling. Check with the concierge. You’ll be rejuvenated in no time.
9. Recommend Fitness Facilities
Often the hotel will have a fitness center; but if that is not the case, the concierge can direct you to the closest fitness facilities (sometimes these facilities will offer hotel guests a discount).
However, you might be interested in the best hike in the area. It is part of the concierge’s job to know.
10. Make Recommendations to Keep you Safe
Interested in knowing if a certain section of a city is safe? Need medical attention? Ask the “safe travel” concierge for assistance.
If you are disabled, aren’t feeling well, or have other special needs, a hotel concierge can offer considerable assistance—like calling wheelchair-accessible taxis, finding English-speaking doctors, and recommending restaurants that can accommodate certain food allergies.
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11. Arrange to Hold Your Luggage
Many hotels will offer to store your luggage in a secure area for you prior to check-in if you arrive before your room is ready or after check-out if you still wish to sightsee. Be sure to ask.
You will need to “tag” all of your luggage so that it is easily identifiable.
12. Facilitate Requests for Cleaning or Maintenance
If you have issues or requests with cleaning or maintenance and don’t know who to contact, touch base with the concierge service and they can direct your issue to the appropriate hotel staff.
13. Provide Translation Services
In non-English speaking countries, it is quite common that non-tourist related hotel employees speak very little, if any, English. The hotel concierge often has foreign language skills that can help you order a taxi, explain to the driver exactly where to take you, and negotiate rates.
14. Assist with Celebrations
Great concierges know how to get stuff done. If you arrive in a new city and want to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion, work with the concierge to help make surprises happen. They can also assist with dining arrangements, gift ideas, and floral arrangements.
15. Recommend Special Gift Ideas
16. Help you Tie a Tie
You would be surprised at the crazy, unusual and “out of the box” requests a concierge receives. You may also be surprised to know that they can assist with tying your tie.
17. Suggest Kid-Friendly Play Areas and Services
Need to find babysitting services, find a nearby park, or plan activities with children, tweens and teens in mind? Check with the concierge.
18. Help with Medical Needs
Did you forget a prescription or do you find yourself in need of an emergency dentist visit? A concierge can assist out-of-town guests with health needs too.
19. Share Instagram-Worthy Spots
Influencers often visit a destination searching out the most instagrammable spots. Even if you aren’t an influencer on social media, you may still wish for the best tips on memorable photographic moments.
Who you gonna call? The concierge! That’s who.
20. Arrange for Tailoring and Dry Cleaning
Obviously you don’t plan on needing to have clothing tailored or dry cleaned as you travel, but sometimes circumstances require it.
21. Assist with a Business Retreat
If you’re hosting a retreat with guests arriving from all over the world and at a variety of times, work with the concierge. They may greet your attendees for you as they arrive, provide the schedule, and hand out gift bags to kick things off.
22. Help you Find Pet Sitters and Services
Traveling with your pet? The concierge can help find pet sitters, locate the nearest dog park, and suggest additional services.
23. Call for a Taxi
Follow my husband’s advice for scheduling a taxi when you have a tight schedule in getting to the airport. Ask the concierge to make arrangements the night before for a specific type of vehicle and pick-up time.
24. Navigate Dietary and Allergy Restrictions
Need to know the best gluten-free restaurant close to the hotel? How about where to find lactose-free desserts? You guessed it; ask the hotel’s concierge service.
25. Provide You With Directions to the Hotel
Even before you check-in, a concierge will make your life easier. They can give step-by-step directions for how to reach the hotel, share insider tips for arriving during rush hour, discus how to skip around construction delays, and offer parking tips.
Depending on the level of service the concierge provides for you, you should consider tipping them. If they arrange dinner reservations or a spa treatment, perhaps a tip of $5-$10. If their service goes above and beyond for you, perhaps a tip of $15-$30 or more. For simple questions, no tip is required.
I recommend doing a little research before you arrive at your destination to determine local customs for tipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a concierge and front desk staff?
Front desk staff greet guests when they arrive and check them in. They assign rooms to guests, discribute room keys, explain how to get to their rooms, and share information, such as what time breakfast is served. The concierge job is more about helping you enjoy the area you’re visiting while assisting with any of the 25 helpful services mentioned above.
What WON’T a concierge do for you?
Tell you if VIPs are staying at the hotel
Assist with illegal activities
Spend hours listening to your travelogue
Run errands for you
Book tours or tickets to shows that are sold out
What are some challenging things about being a concierge?
According to Indeed.com, “The most challenging aspect of being a concierge is being flexible enough to have a solution to every problem every guest has.” It means that the concierge must have general knowledge of all hotel processes as well as connections in the community.
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Final Thoughts on Discovering 25 Helpful Things The Hotel Concierge Can Do For You
You may be surprised at all of the benefits you receive from simply talking to the hotel concierge.
It is part of their job to pleasantly welcome guests as they arrive, provide personalized solutions, make dinner reservations, offer recommendations, and help guests feel comfortable in the hotel and the city.
As the hotel guest, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
As someone who spent years working for hotels, I agree this is very important! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the affirmation.
Thanks for the information about appropriate tipping. I’ve always been worried about not knowing how to “pay” the concierge, so never really used one.
I think you’ll find them to be helpful in the future!
This was such an interesting post – you generally do not think about a lot of these things in advance, but a hotel concierge can be a great asset while traveling.
This is so helpful. I often forget what a great resource hotel concierges are!
It’s such a good tip! They have all the insider information to share so makes perfect sense!
I’ve never actually worked with a concierge — I never feel like I want to ‘bother’ them. But I guess they are there to help guests, and they want to make your stay a great one!
Exactly. They are there to help hotel guests.
I am going to start working as a concierge and I found your article very interesting to understand my new job. Thank you
I’ve traveled a lot but I never knew how important it was to get to know the concierge! Would have made my trips a lot easier haha ? because finding last minutes things to do is hard with out a hook up. Great tips in this post!
Hopefully it will help for future travel.
I dont know why i’ve never thought to do this! These are great tips with a lot of benefits!
They can offer a lot of help, especially for dinner reservations!
Hotel concierges are the best! Great list of how they can help in 25 ways! Love their local’s tips and great at transportation and tickets.
I’ve relied on concierges to advise me on the safety of the area many times. Once in Ecuador, the concierge said absolutely not to walk the few blocks, he would make sure I got a safe car instead. I appreciated that they looked out for the guests.