5 Things A Concierge Can Do For You

Image of concierge for our article on 5 Things A Concierge Can Do For You

Top Five Benefits of Concierge Services

  • Recommend Restaurants and Arrange Reservations
  • Help With Transportation
  • Help People Cope With Medical Issues
  • Plan Itineraries
  • Help With Business-Related Tasks
There are many things a concierge can do to improve a business trip or vacation. An increasing number of hotels, and even some credit companies and banks, offer concierge services. The main thing that makes concierge services so useful is that they offer local knowledge that can be invaluable to travelers. At home, you know where to find:
  • a good car mechanic
  • dry cleaner
  • pharmacy
  • child-friendly restaurant
  • cash machine
  • dozens of other services you use on a regular basis
But when traveling, you don’t have this familiarity with local retailers and service providers. You can find a list of names by doing an internet search. But it’s difficult to assess quality just by looking at online reviews Besides, you don’t want to waste more time than necessary on a business trip or vacation just trying to find a dry cleaner or replace an umbrella. Some of the top services offered by concierges include the following.

1. Recommend Restaurants and Arrange Reservations

One of the great pleasures of travel is dining out, trying new restaurants and exploring exotic cuisines. Concierges can recommend restaurants to suit every taste, from atmospheric local bistros to elegant haute cuisine. They can point you to street cuisine and toddler-friendly family dining. Concierges can arrange transportation. According to Smarter Travel, they can often obtain reservations or move travelers to the top of waiting lists. This includes even the most crowded and popular restaurants. Credit card concierges can often obtain and hold reservations for card members for top dining spots with week- or month-long waiting lists. Ranking: 30 Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management

2. Help With Transportation

Do you want to save money on airport transportation? Find a remote area renowned for unspoiled scenery? Concierges can find and book transportation that suits travelers’ budgets and needs. This can include help with anything from rental cars to limousine services. They can help find mountain bikes and off-road vehicles. They can even print out a boarding pass.

3. Help People Cope With Medical Issues

If you have a medical issue while traveling, a concierge can recommend medical service providers and arrange transportation. Most concierges can also assist people with special needs, including:
  • finding accessible restaurants
  • selecting sightseeing options
  • obtaining replacement wheelchairs and other assistive devices

4. Plan Itineraries

For travelers with a wish-list of things to do and see, a concierge can help organize an itinerary. This includes:
  • taking into account travel times between sites
  • how long most people stay at different venues
  • the best times to visit specific areas

5. Help With Business-Related Tasks

Business travelers can use concierges to find help with a wide range of tasks such as:
  • making copies
  • printing out documents
  • finding couriers
  • receiving faxes
  • locating other business services.

Making the Most of Concierge Services

There are many things a concierge can do to improve your trip. To make the most of concierge services, talk to a concierge at the start of your stay for tips and suggestions. Don’t wait  until the last moment to try to book a table at a crowded restaurant on a Friday night. The more information you gives a concierge about your needs and tastes, the better they can help out. Source: Smarter Travel

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Brenda Rufener
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Julie McCaulley
Expert

Carrie Sealey-Morris
Editor-in-Chief