concierge

A concierge is a professional who assists guests or residents by organizing information and coordinating services to meet requests. In hotels, a concierge helps guests with dining reservations, transportation, sightseeing, and other needs; in corporate or private settings, a concierge may arrange personal errands, travel, and lifestyle services.

The term derives from the French concierge, literally "keeper of the gate" or "doorkeeper," historically a staff member responsible for building access and after-hours duties.

Common hotel duties include providing information about the local area, making reservations, obtaining tickets, and arranging tours. Corporate and private concierges tailor services such as errand running, event planning, child or elder care, and travel arrangements, often coordinating with other staff or outside vendors.

Workplaces vary: hotel front desks with concierge desks, luxury apartment buildings, corporate offices, hospitals, and private households.

Key skills include excellent communication, problem solving, knowledge of local services, discretion, and cultural sensitivity. Training may be formal in hospitality programs; many hotel concierges join professional associations such as Les Clefs d'Or, which uses gold keys as a symbol of professional standards.

Technology has changed the field, with digital concierge platforms, mobile apps, and AI tools enabling remote assistance and quick information retrieval; concierges often use property management systems and CRM software.

Concierges must balance service with privacy, handle confidential information responsibly, and avoid conflicts of interest.