Fans of John Wick definitely remember Charon, the trusty concierge of the Continental Hotel, New York. It would be misplaced to expect your average concierge to act in that way, but the truth is, concierges automatically improve the outlook of your hotel.
What is the history behind concierges at hotels?
Hotels have been around for centuries in the form of inns, and they initially did not have concierges. The term “concierge” actually originated in the 17th century from the French phrase “Comte Des Cierges,” which means “keeper of the candles.” At this time, concierges were only available in castles. These staff members assisted nobles who came visiting their master’s castle. In other words, the concierge was some sort of an under-butler who took care of managing the needs of visitors.
In the mid-to-late 19th century, as leisure tourism grew and grand hotels emerged across Europe, the modern hotel concierge came into existence. These versatile assistants helped sophisticated travellers navigate unfamiliar cities. A concierge served as a multilingual, all-purpose personal secretary who could assist guests with various needs.
Concierges began to unionise in 1929 when Pierre Quentin, a concierge at the Hotel Ambassador in Paris, organised a meeting of fellow concierges. This gathering led to the formation of a professional society called the Union Professionnelle des Concierges des Grands Hôtels. With this union, concierges were able to share resources and knowledge – the major reasons why they are a must-have at any hotel down to this day.