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Is Four Seasons Phasing Out Its Concierge Services?

July 6, 2009 at 1:06 PM | by Jenna | 4 Comments

UPDATE: The Four Seasons concierge service ain't going nowhere.

Interesting things are coming out of the ol' inbox today: we got a report from a tipster that Four Seasons might be getting rid of their concierges. Yes, we know — like, jigga what?

From our anonymous tipster:

The Four Seasons Company has started to dissolve the Concierge departments in San Francisco, Palm Beach, Santa Barbara, West Lake Village, Aviara and who knows how many others are on the way. Seems like it is only city hotels. This has just recently happened (about 2 weeks now).

Our tipster also mentioned that some of the concierges laid off were members of Les Clefs d'Or, the selective organization of hotel concierges (the ones who wear the crossed gold keys on their lapels). Ostensibly, the front desk staff would assume the roles of concierges — but, uh, we assume they'd have a hell of a lot to learn to keep up with the former concierges' skills.

We weren't able to confirm with Four Seasons just yet, but has anyone else seen this happening in any FS properties recently or is this just a rumor? Hit us up with some details if you've got the scoop.

4 Comments

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  1. globetrotting gourmet

    HotelChatter Member

    Pillow Fights at the Four Seasons

    Here's an interesting read on the current state of affairs with the Four Seasons brand:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/business/global/28four.html?emc=eta1
    July 6, 2009 at 6:55 PM
    #Permalink

  1. Seasonedguru

    HotelChatter Member

    Concierge???

    As someone who is currently employed by FS and in upper management, I can tell you that this story made me laugh and almost choke on my coffee, I get google alerts with anything dealing with FS so I had to read this, nothng could be further from the truth, in fact we have added more concierge at alot of our properties in past 6 months.
    The link someone posted about the NYT article reiterates what I'm sayi g and that is this, FS is unwilling to compromise service to appease a
    owners.
    July 7, 2009 at 8:34 AM
    #Permalink

  1. LostintheSouth

    HotelChatter Member

    I know they are phasing out at some properties

    This time last year, there were 9 concierges, including the chef concierge, at the San Francisco property. The company laid off 3, including one Les Clefs d'Or concierge 3 months ago.  Two weeks ago, they laid off the chef concierge, a Les Clefs d'Or with 20+ years experience.  Management told staff they could accept a transfer to the front desk at reduced pay or take a layoff.  Two accepted the layoff, the assistant chef went on bereavement leave for 5 weeks, and one went on holiday for 2 weeks. The concierge desk is being closed and the remaining staff will work at the front desk (do the math - how many is that?).  

    This is no rumour, this is fact.  You can walk in the front door, up the elevator to the 5th floor lobby and see for yourself.

    Now, for the rumour - the hotel owner is in financial straits and forced this on Four Season...not only in San Francisco but in Miami (both owned by the same company).  So much for stickiing up for standards.

    July 10, 2009 at 8:10 PM
    #Permalink

  1. LostintheSouth

    HotelChatter Member

    Substantiating the statement about Owner

    Substantiating my statement about the Four Seasons SF's owner being in financial trouble:

    http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2009/07/09/four_seasons_san_francisco_in_default.php

    These real estate wizards have a new condo tower 65% unsold and are pinching every penny they can and Four Seasons is buckling to their demands.

    July 11, 2009 at 1:09 PM
    #Permalink

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