Concierge Tips?

[bonniejoy03]

Hello. Any suggestions on how to thank your concierge? I am not an expert and would appreciate any suggestions for our future visits. What services would you consider standard? Which services would you do something special? What is "something special? Thanks.

[omegaet]

bonniejoy 03....the ageless question of tipping the Concierge!

Just my opinion....

Most guidelines say tipping varies with the level of service provided. For simple requests like directions or restaurant recommendations, no tipping is required. If the concierge arranges show tickets or restaurant reservations, tip $2-$10. If he goes above and beyond (a table at the hottest restaurant in town or a sold out show), tip $15-$50.

On the other hand, I stay at a hotel regularly on business trips, and have known a concierge there for a number of years. He still takes care of items for me frequently during my stays. I typically hand him $20 at the end of my stay.

He and I would agree, for the most part, we have passed the monetary tip stage. Now its about trading information on restaurants (I have several clients who are real foodies and know restaurants even the concierge hasnt heard about). Remember, information and the ability to make things happen by calling a contact is the only reason the positions exist today.

Also, we talk about wines each time I stay there. During my last visit before the holidays, I discretely drop a bottle of unusual red by his desk.hopefully, something he hasnt tasted.

Real concierges (not staff that sit behind tour desks) at better hotels and resorts are generally compensated well...tips of course, are still appreciated.......but recognition and a genuine "thank you," for their abilities to accomplish the "impossible," does wonders to bolster their egos!

As I said at the beginning, just my opinion.....

[CMDAVILACLI]

and further to these good suggestions is always a letter to Corporate that praises any staff member who goes above and beyond their "job". These letters usually end up in the staff member's personnel file and helps when it comes time to raises and/or promotions.

cmdavilacli

[omegaet]

CMDAVILACI....absolutely! Good point! A "smile" and "thank you" even works in Paris!



So often, letters of complaint are fired off....so infrequently, acknowledgments of services rendered, especially those above and beyond the normal, are overlooked! Why that tendency even creeps into the Luxury Link web site occasionally.

[lhbrown]

Hi,

Here is my rule of thumb I go by when it comes to tipping for concierge services.

I use the hotel concierge or hotel receptionist as much as possible. They are usually quite willing to help. Ten percent up front of your first booking request sounds about right, but only if you get excellent service. After that, you can ease off. Many of the concierges will be happy to give information and make reservations without expecting to be paid, but will be more than pleased to receive a little extra at the end. This is the rule of thumb we followed..... If you are in a very fancy hotel like let's say the hotel Russie in Rome, the concierge there might be used to more generous tips but use your own judgement, tip if you get outstanding service above and beyond the call, don't if the service is so so... A lot of the information is available for free in the booklets you can get free of charge from the hotel or from the tourist office. Use them to inform yourself, but ask for help when you need it.
We recently used the concierge at the Hotel Hoffmeister in Prague to get us opera tickets to Nabucco. She got us front row seats at a fully packed house. Obviously, we felt a generous tip was more than warranted.

[bonniejoy03]

Great ideas everyone. I did send an email on our last visit with the employees names that had assisted us. I was then asked to do a hotel survey and passed on the same info. This time, I sent a thank you to the concierge directly. I was thinking of a gc to barnes & noble or $20 bill for our next visit. The concierge was very nice and proactive. Had some snacks in the room for us and reserved our favorite room. Only corresponded through email because person didn't work on weekends. Thanks for the tips.

[omegaet]

LL-Travelfan....did you take advantage of your "spa perks" at the Hoffmeister? We found their steam cave to be a bit unique!

[lhbrown]

Hi O,
Yes, I did a double dipping of the spa perk at the Hoffmeister Hotel in Prague since my husband declined. You are right, the cave is somewhat unique, nothing I had ever seen before. The first time I was allowed all the time in the world to rest and relax in the adjoining lounge, since no one used the cave after me. The second time, I was asked to leave the resting area since another couple was using the Stone Cave steam bath. The roof of the cave is a totally natural stone formation. I guess the stones hold the heat reall well and the steam mechanism was something right out of the middle ages.... I don't know if you noticed the same kind of strata outside on the hill right next to the entrance of the hotel. Most interesting stone formation. Here is a copy of the Stone Cave from the Hoffmeister Hotel brochure.










Message Edited by lhbrown on 08-05-2008 07:20 PM

[omegaet]

LL-Travelfan....did the Manager of The Hotel Hoffmeister tell you how the original family utilized the cave(s) [there are several caves not open to the public] when the place was a private residence?

[lhbrown]

Hi O,
No he did not. I was directed to it by the lady who tended the spa and her English was quite poor, so we did not talk much. The subject of the caves never came up with the manager. Tell me what I missed or what the Manager told you. Did you get to see the other caves?