How many of ya'll been "bitten" by the Concierge "bug"!

[Cinderella37]

I sent the BWI concierge,as well as the itinerary planners, very large (to ensure there ws enough for everyone) Godiva gift baskets before our trip in December. I was told it was very much appreciated.

 

[spielerin]

We did this on our last visit to AKL concierge. We live very close to Hershey's Chocolate World so we picked up a bunch of giant Hershey's Kisses for them to share.
Chocolate appears to be a very acceptable "tip".

 

[BambiTamby]

As for the tipping the concierge staff....

this is what we've been doing.

Last time, at YC concierge, Travis, who was totally pampering us to oblivion, getting us waters, beer, fresh fruit, extras....etc...
He made us a PS for the Bistro de Paris, got seats by the window and watched the Illuminations as we ate.

When he was making our PM, he mentioned the Chocolate Eclairs at the French bakery, and how they all could live on those!

Well, that was our last night there, and after our wonderful meal, we popped next door to the bakery and got 2 dozen assorted French pastries for the staff, mostly the Eclairs.
Then, I also got an extra box for him, since I knew he would be in the lounge when we returned that evening.

you should have seen his face!
the rest of the staff thanked us the next day, and were just thrilled to get such a treat!

Other stays, we've picked up Cookies from the bakery at Epcot, those CMs LOVE those chocolate chip cookies!
another time, chocolates and other candies from Main Street Confectionary.

So, I'm like some of ya'll....I really do feel that they deserve something "extra" for the "extra magic" they give us!
Because they will NOT acept $$$$$.
DH tried first concierge stay.

As for mousekeeping, or any other hotel housekeeping, valet, etc...we do tip generously!
DH is a big tipper!
but, hey! We can walk in any local restaurant, and we're immediately seated.

I own a boutique, and I wait on my ladies,
and this week, mainly , the gentlemen,
and I know what service is expected from a
"higher end" establishment.....thus, my clients receive all the little extras that one doesn't normally receive at department stores.
I have small, plush sofas and loveseats with a gorgeous coffee table always loaded with little treats. I serve lattes, expressos, tea, chilled water....beautiful gift wrapping.....on and on....
VERY personalized service!

When I was in the hospital, this last month, I received sooo many flowers, candies, cards, little sweet gifts....things that showed me how much I mean to my customers, my friends!

It comes down to the personalized touch!

Hope I didn't bore ya'll ! LOL!
But, JMHO.....


Oh, and the gift basket idea is great idea, Cinderella37 !

 

[dreamflight99]

I'm a HUGE believer in taking care of ANYONE whom helps you with your ressies, and other particulars (concerning your travel plans). Therefore...I always bring GIFTS for EVERYONE (even the staff at the front~desk check~in counter)! I have brought such items as: California SEE'S Candy (& SEE'S gift certificates/catalogs sufficient for a 2# selection!), Mrs. Prindibles apples, caramels, and pretzel rods, Dewar's special peanut butter and caramel chews, Frango's and Godiva chocolates, special Ghirardelli Chocolates and Serendipity cocoas, and...even American Express gift checks (as they are not REALLY cash (LOL), and placed in sealed thank~you cards), Harry & David items, Mrs. Fields cookies, and GIFT CARDS/CERTIFICATES (Everything from Starbucks to Olive Garden/Red Lobster and Outback Steakhouse, etc). All of these are WELL~RECEIVED, and appreciated.

Yet...it is truly better to GIVE than to receive! I LOVE giving somthing to these wonderful, hardworking CM's and associates. They make my life easier, and my vacations more enjoyable. The gift checks are always well received, as I'm quick to point~out...it's not CASH, but can be CASHED at the BANK if desired! LOL...they all laugh, and LOVE it!

I'm so thrilled to read so many others do the same. It's the old aphorism..."ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER." I'm happy to know it is alive and well in us DISers.

TTFN...DF99

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
I'm a HUGE believer in taking care of ANYONE whom helps you with your ressies, and other particulars (concerning your travel plans). Therefore...I always bring GIFTS for EVERYONE (even the staff at the front~desk check~in counter)! I have brought such items as: California SEE'S Candy (& SEE'S gift certificates/catalogs sufficient for a 2# selection!), Mrs. Prindibles apples, caramels, and pretzel rods, Dewar's special peanut butter and caramel chews, Frango's and Godiva chocolates, special Ghirardelli Chocolates and Serendipity cocoas, and...even American Express gift checks (as they are not REALLY cash (LOL), and placed in sealed thank~you cards), Harry & David items, Mrs. Fields cookies, and GIFT CARDS/CERTIFICATES (Everything from Starbucks to Olive Garden/Red Lobster and Outback Steakhouse, etc). All of these are WELL~RECEIVED, and appreciated.

Yet...it is truly better to GIVE than to receive! I LOVE giving somthing to these wonderful, hardworking CM's and associates. They make my life easier, and my vacations more enjoyable. The gift checks are always well received, as I'm quick to point~out...it's not CASH, but can be CASHED at the BANK if desired! LOL...they all laugh, and LOVE it!

I'm so thrilled to read so many others do the same. It's the old aphorism..."ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER." I'm happy to know it is alive and well in us DISers.

That is exactly what I tried to give ....American Express gift checks

TTFN...DF99

 

[LvsTnk]

That is so weird my reply ended up in DF99's quote????

 

[BambiTamby]

LOL, it happens, LvsTnk!(about the post in your quote)

DF99....those are some of the most wonderful ideas I've ever read!

Great gift options, indeed!

Now, LvsTnk, you tried to give AX gift checks at WDW concierge and they refused them?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Well, as expected, they said no more AP concierge at AKL for my dates in April - sniff, sniff!! We'll have to try those great gift ideas another time!

Oh, well, I guess we'll try at check-in, maybe somebody will cancel!! If not, we'll still have a great trip - we looove AKL!!!

BTW - how do you quote somebody in your post? Haven't mastered that yet!!

 

[BambiTamby]

Originally posted by k&a&c'smom
Well, as expected, they said no more AP concierge at AKL for my dates in April - sniff, sniff!! We'll have to try those great gift ideas another time!

Oh, well, I guess we'll try at check-in, maybe somebody will cancel!! If not, we'll still have a great trip - we looove AKL!!!

BTW - how do you quote somebody in your post? Haven't mastered that yet!!

No problem, nothing to be ashamed of, sweetie!
Just click on the poster's bottom right of their post.
It'll say "edit" or "Quote".
Everything comes up already done!
Of course, you can delete some of the stuff, if you want to make a precise point!

Now....DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON APRIL!
I wasn't able to get YC concierge and AKL concierge, at first!
I was originally trying for the Poly Concierge. Nothing.
But, they had a great AP rate at the CR Tower, and we took it for the whole 9 days!
Then, I kept on calling for other resorts, and just sorta "patched" in a couple of really nice WDW deluxe concierges into our itinerary!
Just keep calling, my dear!

PD for you! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks ever so much, Bambi!!!!! I'll keep trying for April (the cm I spoke with wasn't very knowledgeable, bless her heart) - and thank you for the quote tip!!

 

[Majestic]

Gotta put my vote in for WL Concierge. We won't stay anywhere else. Going back in May.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Majestic - I did try today for WL concierge - nothing available w/AP. We have WL on our list of "must stay" resorts - in fact, I was trying to split our stay w/AKL for April, no luck!

 

[MagicPrincess]

we're booked for the WL concierge mid March!
can't wait!!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

K&A&C'smom>> When you call about AP rates/dates try to break up your reservation into date chunks. This is what I did both times. We stayed the entire time in the same room as I requested no room change and I'd stay in my "reg" sav view room but with con priviledges during those concierge days. I had to check in/check out three times, but it was very worth it! If I had concierge on the first "chunk" or last I would have only had to do two reservations. Unfortunately mine the "middle" chunk. It was a wonderful trip! I was staying at AKL, Sav view... concierge for the middle "slower" part of our trip! IT ROCKED! They "blocked" our room so that we'd be able to keep it continuously through our entire stay. If this doesn't make sense, PM me and I'll try again!

Debbie

 

[k&a&c'smom]

#1hockeymom -

I think I get what you are saying - ask cm's to check for avail. day-by-day, and reserve concierge for only those days? I hadn't thought of that, I'll try that next!!! I booked Cirque today, thinking I probably wouldn't have concierge to help me plan. Maybe I will be able to get something, I tried today for Poly, AKL and WL, with no luck.

Thank you so much for the tip!!!

 

[BambiTamby]

k&a&c'smom...... PLEASE....Keep on trying!
Something WILL come through!

I've been reading Fred's thread on the WL, and that WL concierge is starting to call my name, too!

Maybe next trip we'll add the WL concierge!
And then there's Cali, who's trying to still decide where to stay next trip before BWVs, and now he's interested in the Poly concierge, and that is going to drive me crazy! LOL!

But, DH and I are going to celebrate our 10th at the GF RPC and maybe split the stay with BWI concierge this Sept.

I would LOVE to stay at WL concierge for the HOLIDAYS!

Fred made a good point in a thread about how he walks back into WL concierge, and they remember him and his family, etc.
That's a neat feeling, I know!

Have that with the Poly, AKL, and YC concierges.

Soooo many concierges, so little time.

 

[Steffy]

Hi,

I have watched this thread and found it really interesting.
I'm booked Poly GVC in December. Hoping for an AP code.

I just hope my conceirge stay will be as nice as the ones I've seen on this thread.

 

[BambiTamby]

Hi Steffy!

And, in case no one has done this.....

<marquee direction="right">

</marquee>

When in Dec are you planning to stay at the Poly concierge?
(I just LOVE that place!)

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Tried again today, cm did a day-by-day search for AKL and WL - nothing. Didn't ask about Poly - tomorrow I'll remember to ask about that!! Hopefully, after the 45-day mark, there will be some cancellations!!!

I feel for Cali - it's so hard to pick just one resort!!! I have only 4 nights this time, and I have even tried to split our stay!!! I agree, Bambi, so many resorts, so little time!!!

 

[Cinderella37]

I agree that it is a great idea to send items of appreciation to the individuals involved with vacation planning. I have always been a firm believer in rewarding excellent service, not only to insure continued good service but to simply thank the cast members who do so much. The Cms have a lot to live up to and when they (and go beyond) they deserve recognition.

By the way, what a great thread for us crazy concierge goers. I can't imagine going any other way!!

Bambi Tamby - I wished I lived in Texas so I could visit your boutique. Sounds just like the kind of place I shop...