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Why you should ignore the hotel concierge’s recommendations

<p>When you arrive in a new city and you’re looking for things to see and do, or the best place in town to grab a bite to eat, the hotel concierge is often your first point of call.</p> <p>As Isabelle Hogan, chef concierge at prestigious hotel The Carlyle in New York City, the concierge is billed to be the city’s ultimate insider at your complete disposal.</p> <p>“The concierge makes the impossible possible,” says Hogan.</p> <p>“The concierge can do anything.”</p> <p>But one travel expert has suggested that there are plenty of circumstances where you’re probably better off taking the concierge’s recommendations with a grain of salt.</p> <p>“When you're asking around for sightseeing or dining advice, avoid hotel staffers. They're often on the take,” says Time Magazine’s travel expert Brad Tuttle.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1xyDWkfcYc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>“In fact, many hotels license out their concierge operations to companies that get commissions on bookings for certain attractions and restaurants. Instead, find establishments — shops, cafés, restaurants, galleries — that match your taste, and ask the folks there.”</p> <p>What do you think? Will you continue to seek out the concierge’s recommendations? Or do you think you’re ultimately better off finding your own way?</p>

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5-star hotel “hires” pug as concierge

<p>Truly exceptional staff members are enough to ensure return customers in the hospitality industry. Especially when those staff members show a unique “breed” of customer service.</p> <p>Meet Parker, the one-eyed rescue pug that has just been “hired” as the new concierge of an upmarket hotel.</p> <p>Walter Brindall, the general manager of The Park Hyatt on Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile, rescued Parker from animal welfare group PAWS. The five-year-old pooch was rescued in Tennessee, suffering from an irreparably damaged eye, painful skin tags, rotting teeth and a urinary tract infection. The poor bub!</p> <p>Now, Parker is enjoying a new life as a working pug. Her duties include sleeping behind the front desk, following staff to meetings, riding the elevators and even escorting guests to their rooms.</p> <p>Brindell said she was the perfect dog for the hotel because she was friendly without being overly excitable.</p> <p>“She’s a very quiet, reserved pup, and she loves everybody,” Brindell told the Chicago Tribune.</p> <p>Parker does serve a very important purpose in the hotel however, bringing joy to guests and staff members alike. Decked out in a Burberry bandana that puts everyone else’s work uniform to shame, Parker is happy to pose for many a picture. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see a few of the precious snaps.</p> <p>Does your pet have an important “job”? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related link:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/funny-cat-commercials/">The funniest cat commercials ever</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/09/9-foods-you-should-never-feed-your-pet/">9 foods you should NEVER feed your pet</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><em><span><span><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/30-common-plants-that-are-harmful-to-pets/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>30 common plants that are harmful to pets</strong></span><br /></a></span></span></em></p> <div class="share-links"> <div class="addthis_native_toolbox" data-url="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/06/amputee-penguin-gets-new-prosthetic-foot/" data-title="Amputee penguin gets new prosthetic foot | OverSixty" data-description="A penguin named Bagpipes, who's currently under the care of the International Antarctic Centre, has recently been fitted with a 3-D printed prosthetic foot."> <div id="atstbx2" class="at-share-tbx-element addthis_default_style addthis_20x20_style addthis-smartlayers addthis-animated at4-show"> <div></div> <a class="addthis_button_pinterest_pinit at300b"></a></div> </div> </div>

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