10 Wacky Concierge Services

The entire concept of concierge service has undergone a remarkable transformation of late. While high-end hotels have always been purveyors of perks like restaurant reservations and balcony seats at the ballet, the new breed of concierge has taken the term “pamper guests” into hyperdrive. So intense is competition in the hospitality industry and high the demand for extras that some luxury hotels have even seen fit to outsource concierge service to firms like London’s Quintessentially. Clearly, mints on the pillow are so yesterday. Here are 10 extreme examples of wacky hotel concierge services.

Snooze service

The Benjamin in New York City has made a good night’s rest the focal point in their attempt to gain an edge in ultra-competitive Manhattan. The posh boutique-style hotel professes to provide the utmost in comfort and guarantees a sleep as good as home, if not better. If otherwise, guests receive a free night.


To ensure that this is not the case, the hotel provides the services of a sleep expert, a choice of 11 pillows - from hypo-allergenic to magnetic therapy to anti-snore, white-noise machines, soundproof rooms and that most motherly of sleep-aid techniques, warm milk and homemade cookies.


Puppy love

Pet spas and special pet services have become all the rage. Not one to be left behind in the service department, hotels like The Benjamin now take the term “puppy love” quite seriously. Dog lovers can bring Rover on vacation secure in the knowledge that his needs will be met. From special beds to fancy food bowls, gourmet chow and even dog-oriented flics to keep your pooch entertained while on the town, pet concierges have left no bone unturned.

The Mandarin Oriental in New York City offers dog walkers around-the-clock. The Soho Grand even has a pet toiletry line if you feel the need to brush your canine’s fangs. The pet trend is taken to absurd levels at the Mondrian in Scottsdale, Arizona however. Master and best friend can receive simultaneous massages on teak daybeds by the pool, with free turndown service of Fiji water and biscuit - for you to share of course.


Pimp my ride

South Beach Florida has a reputation as a decadent party hub and the boutique hotel scene is unlike any other. No stunner that the ante is way up on wacky perks. The De Soleil South Beach on hip Ocean Drive offers a turndown service … for your car. Not just any cars apply however. If you ride a Kia, keep the keys. Only performance wheels apply for this most Miami of services. For a price, the hotel’s auto care specialist will clean, buff, polish and tune your vehicle in time for that midday spin by the beach.



Tailor made

The D2 hotel and resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand takes service up a notch in a number of spectacular ways. Guests not fluent in Thai can request cell phones from the concierge and receive translations as they venture outside of the resort and gab with locals.

Forget to pack your best dinner jacket or need an emergency alteration? Ring up the concierge and he will summon a tailor to your room on the double.


IConcierge

Frequent flyers are gadget-aware and out of dire necessity, so are the hotels they haunt. Enter the iPod-compatible room. The Westin Times Square equips every room with an iHome docking staion/alarm clock. Not good enough? The hotel can upgrade you to a room with an iPod dock station complete with Bose Wave Radio. But the kicker is the availability of a playlist concierge to coordinate the ideal playlist for your stay.

The most Apple-centric hotel however, may be the Tribeca Grand. The luxury hotel in the slick Manhattan ‘hood of the same name features the iStudio suite. Chock-full of the most recent advances in Apple technology - from photo, video and sound-editor software, cameras and wireless peripherals, notably, the room also includes an on-call Mac guru.



Picture perfect

In the quest to meet every possible guest whim in what has become a hectic, complex world, hotels have become creative. Consider the Cavalieri Hilton in Rome. The attentive concierge at the Hilton offers visitors personal MP3 tour guides in their language of choice. The MP3 is also a functional digital camera that one can borrow to sightsee historical Rome. But what to do with the photos? Nessun problema! Upon return to the hotel, the concierge will burn the digital images onto a CD.




Techno-butler

The Sax Hotel in Chicago is a paradise for video gamers. The entire sixth floor is a virtual Microsoft studio, replete with Xbox 360 consoles and games like Halo, Guitar Hero and Madden. The Xbox Live service is available throughout, which enables guests to connect with gamers around the world, exchange work documents in a secure environment, download and listen to tunes or even catch a flic. Need help? Just dial the hotel’s complimentary technology butler, a quasi-concierge with geek cred.



Bronze this

Personal valets who cater to sun-lover’s intimate needs is one of the most wacky concierge developments in recent memory. Yes, these beach butlers actually patrol poolsides and sand with all the gear that a tanner could possibly desire. From creams to oils, water to shade and even offers to moisturize hard-to-reach body parts, these tan-tuners redefine the role of concierges everywhere. If you want to take advantage of this extreme service, check in at the swanky Ritz-Carlton South Beach.




Tub soakers

Hotels have to engage some truly creative minds to remain competitive. So kudos to the Fairmont Chicago employee who thought of the bath sommelier. You read that right - bath sommelier. The hotel has a staff member who is proficient in all aspects of bath comfort and luxury. He will draw a bath on request and provide a wide array of chic products to enhance the experience. Whether you go with bubbles or not is completely up to you.





You scream, I scream

Who would have thought ice cream would be such a crucial ammenity? Many top hotels apparently. Some have gone to extreme measures to satisfy frozen treat pangs for parents and kids alike with a personal ice cream sundae maker. Dial up room service at any reasonable hour and in no time a cart will arrive at the door with butler in tow, ready to prepare your most vile ice cream fantasy. Talk about decadence. Available at the Fairmont Chicago and Four Seasons Chicago.