Travel & Leisure

WHAT CAN A HOTEL CONCIERGE HELP YOU WITH?

Helpful hotel staff known as concierges have long been a mainstay of the hotel experience. Typical duties include helping guests with restaurant reservations, recommending activities in the area and arranging transportation to the airport. But these days, concierges are going far beyond that standard. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we spoke with various hotel experts about concierge services. Read on to discover all kinds of unexpected ways a concierge can assist you during your next hotel stay.

▪POPPING THE QUESTION – Many concierges are actively involved in planning marriage proposals – especially for guests who are seeking an unforgettable experience. For example, the concierge team at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Avon, Colorado, helped a groom coordinate a proposal during a mountaintop snowshoe hike. The entire adventure was planned in advance, but when the couple arrived at the desk, the concierge team pretended it was their first conversation and gave them a special set of snowshoes they just happened to have behind the desk. Similarly romantic, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Cedar Creek, Texas, often arranges private horseback rides for couples who are about to get engaged. The experience includes a set stop at a spot that’s perfect for popping the big question.

▪LEARNING LOCAL LINGO – Guests of Cap Mason, a resort on St. Lucia, can learn more about the island’s local creole language during a lesson with the hotel’s concierge staff. “Knowing a few of the popular food dishes in creole really comes in handy when touring the island and enjoying various restaurants in St. Lucia,” says Arron Gwinnett, executive assistant manager of food and beverage for the resort. “Taking interest in the local cuisine and language helps visitors to embrace the island. It also makes locals excited to share more knowledge, and it makes the holiday even more interesting.”

▪CREATING CUSTOM ITINERIES – Need some help figuring out what to do during your trip? Some concierges will go above and beyond cookie-cutter responses by creating a customized itinerary tailored to your interests.

▪LEADING AN ART TOUR – Art lovers heading to Indianapolis should consider staying at the Conrad Indianapolis where they can request a curated tour of the hotel’s artwork with one of the art ambassadors on the concierge team. Guests will see paintings by famed artists like Picasso, Dali and Warhol, as well as a rotating selection in the hotel’s gallery and lobby.

▪PREPPING FOR PETS – Travelers who like to vacation with Fido in tow may be pleasantly surprised by their hotel’s concierge staff. Not only are some petfriendly hotels more than happy to welcome your pups, but they may even roll out the red carpet for them. For example, the concierge team at The RitzCarlton, Bachelor Gulch, sets up Ritz-Carlton dog beds, water dishes and treats for their guests’ furry friends.

Hidden Travel

Gems

AYSEN, PATAGONI – While thrill-seekers may have already added Patagonia to their bucket lists, thanks to famous features like Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park, chances are they haven’t yet heard of Aysen. Described as the region’s final frontier, this remote land is sparsely populated and still very much unexplored. Adventurers will appreciate the area’s dramatic landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, staggering fjords, and temperate rain forests. Splendidly isolated, going off the grid is no challenge and countless adventures await.

TALINN, ESTONIA – Those looking to embark on a European escape to someplace other than tried-andtrue staples like London, Paris, and Rome will be enchanted by Tallinn. Estonia’s capital city looks as if it was plucked from the pages of a fairytale, effortlessly blending the old and the new. Stroll past towering gothic architecture along the cobblestoned streets of Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 13th century, which is lined with picturesque cafes and boutiques.

PALMETTO BLUFF, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Carolinas are undeniably having a moment, with cultural hubs like Asheville and Charleston drawing attention from travelers around the globe. But this year, South Carolina’s Lowcountry is on the rise, with Palmetto Bluff taking center stage. Steeped in history, rich biodiversity, and 32 miles of quiet coastline, this destination is considered by locals to be one of the best-kept secrets in the South. For true Southern hospitality, check into Montage Palmetto Bluff, where you can spend your days on their Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, at the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club, or on an offshore fishing excursion. Its romantic laidback luxury will make any visitor feel right at home.

BOTSWANA, AFRICA – Landlocked Botswana’s landscape is defined by the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, and offers some of the most spectacular safaris on earth. Only two million inhabitants call Botswana home, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. But here, animals roam and rule, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs and more. It’s the ultimate playground for nature lovers. Wilderness Safaris’ brand new Qorokwe Camp is now open with eight elegant tented suites and offers outstanding game viewing year round.

CORK, IRELAND – Ireland’s compact Cork City is giving Dublin a run for its money. The youthful city has been reinventing itself over the past couple of years and is ready to steal the spotlight once and for all. Waterfront views, historic churches, and friendly locals make Cork a favorite spot for in-the-know travelers, but it’s their evolving culinary scene that’s set to position the city as a must-see destination for 2018. Although fiercely rooted in Irish heritage, inventive eateries and pubs in the revitalized city center are bringing a welcome diversity to Cork.

TALKEETNA, ALASKA – Anyone in search of the weird but wonderful should set their sights on America’s largest state. Situated smack-dab in the middle of Anchorage and Mount Denali is the small village of Talkeetna. A gateway to Alaska’s famed Denali National Park, adventurers will be flocking to this eccentric destination for its rich array of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, rafting and flightseeing. In town, expect to come across a healthy mix of brewpubs and weed dispensaries spinkled in with quirky artist studios and shops selling locally made handicrafts. For stellar views of Denali, snag a room at the rustic Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Summertime is your best bet in terms of weather, but you can beat the crowds by planning a winter jaunt for a chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.