Travelers who appreciate the value of cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages, sometimes are not nearly as certain about whether and how to take advantage of the services of a hotel concierge.
Almost half of guest stays at hotels offering concierge service do not take advantage of the service according to a recent survey of concierges.
In larger cities such as Los Angeles and New York, almost 70 percent of hotel guests use concierges. However many do not ask concierges about where to dine, which show to see, or what museum exhibit to visit.
Many guests lack an understanding of what concierges are able to do. Guest reluctance to use concierges sometimes stems from not knowing whether or what to tip.
Common guest requests of concierges include restaurant reservations, guides and tours, transportation and event tickets. Private shopping experiences and in room special services are not unusual.
It is certainly OK to tip concierges but nothing is required. Easy to get reservations do not necessitate a tip, however, snagging a table reservation at a hot restaurant or tickets to a sold out show warrants a $10 to $20 gratuity. Arranging a guests entire day or a special experience should earn an even larger gratuity.
Out of town tourists often find when calling a popular restaurant that the only available reservation times are 5 pm or 10 pm. Often an experienced concierge can call the same restaurant and secure a 8 pm reservation. Also sometimes if a restaurant knows that a guest was directed to its establishment by a concierge, the guest may be treated to a free appetizer, dessert, or cocktail.
Restaurants are well aware that a happy diner can, through word of mouth, encourage a stream of future diners from a hotel.
Guests are encouraged to be open to a concierges recommendations and trust them. A quality concierge will feel out a guest for his or her tastes and style, recommending experiences that he or she will most enjoy. Do not simply ask a concierge what you should do. Only by sharing your personal interests can a concierge recommend things that best suit them.
Guests are encouraged to contact concierges anywhere from a few days to a few weeks prior to arrival to start planning. With advance notice, concierges have a much better chance of getting you a reservation to a hot new restaurant or a sold out play. www.cheapfares.com