The Quiet Revolution: Telecommuting” This article was on MSNBC.com website in their Future of Business series which focuses on trends and products that can be the next big thing. They ended the article on a good note. It made mention of the Virtual Concierge! Perhaps this is a sign of the next big thing?!
Concierge goes extra mile in Internet age, Gary Stoller, USA Today
The Concierge role is being spotlighted in this week’s USA Today. This is an indication to me that the Concierge role is more important than ever. The Concierge is not just one that mans an information booth, but we are the face to the name, we are the friend at the home away from home, and we are creating loyalty and value to the Hotel and the Brand. The Concierge is important and ever more so with the Internet Age.
Machines will never replace the human being because it is the human that makes the technology work. I like to think that The Virtual Concierge is a blending of the two, the human and the machine. We can make the technology work to better improve our Concierge work and role. We can go above, far beyond and out of the box!
I reinvented the traditional Concierge role with the Virtual Concierge. The Virtual Concierge can still be seen in the lobby of the Hotel but why not be available at the point of need of the guest not just in the Hotel lobby but in the VIP lounge, the business centers, the meeting space, the guest rooms, and even their hand held mobile devices, all at the same time?! That is thinking out of the hotel lobby box.
Any out of the box thoughts or additional comments?
How can we be more environmentally responsible? After all, we are the caretakers of the Earth and in order for our children’s children to have a future on this Earth, we must try to nurture and care for it. One way to begin is to find out how in our daily lives, are we adding to the environments carbon pollution? This recent article comes up with a formula. Let’s begin here………….“What is your Carbon Footprint?”
Dear Dr. A’s Hotel & Resort Management course at Hawaii Pacific University,
Thank you in advance for your participation in thoughtful discussion and dialogue about the many faces of the Hospitality Industry. I am inviting you, my guests, to step into my virtual living room/ think tank. As my virtual guests, I will be serving my imaginary tea/coffee to get the creative juices flowing. Please sit back, get comfortable and feel free to chime in and engage. We may not come up with the answer to the Inconvenient Truth, but in the process, we may help come up with innovative strategies and services for the next generation Hospitality Industry.
My challenge question:
“You are an innovator and can carve out a niche in virtual applications for the Hospitality Industry, what virtual application would it be? How would it work? How would it be better than the traditional process? How would you make it inviting and approachable for those who shy away from technology?”
Do you ever read about a new gadget, a new service or a new business idea that is just so simple yet so innovative, you say, “now why didn’t I think of that?!”
Well this is a list of some of the things I have come across in the recent days that I think, are the next best thing to sliced bread:
Take advantage of a 10 minute manicure while waiting for your next flight at your local airport. 10 minute manicure is the brain child of Lauren O’Niel and her co-founders. While sitting poolside in Florida, they came up with this marvelous idea and are popping up at airports all over the world!
Now if they can bump it up a notch and offer in flight french manicures, I am flying that airline! Hey, pass the bread. I think that is the next big idea!
“ Antioch Mom is a Virtual Concierge ” This article is hot off the press from the Antioch Press. I recently was a guest speaker at the Antich Rotary club and spoke about the Virtual Concierge and other possible virtual work apps. I believe the Virtual Concierge is just one example of a solution to the “work life balance” we all so often crave and search for.
“The Quiet Revolution: Telecommuting” This article was on MSNBC.com website in their Future of Business series whcih focuses on trends and products that can be the next big thing. They ended the article on a good note. It made mention of the Virtual Concierge! Perhaps this is a sign of the next big thing?!
Robots on Reception, is an article out of Front of House magazine in the UK. This article examines the options of having robots, humanoids, computers, or a virtual receptionists in your front lobby. You make the call. 
There’s No Workforce Like Home, By Mary A. Naylor
This article hits home, literally. The last 7 years, I have been an advocate for telework efforts and feel NOW is the tipping point. This is the answer to work life balance! Read more:
Tory Johnson’s Work from Home Tips, shown on ABC’s Good Morning America, has a list of reputable work at home opportunities for all who are interested. A big challenge for those who desire to work from home is finding a reliable and respectable company. There are many out there but there are also many that are pit falls and scams. Please do your research and due diligence. Tory Johnson’s, The Pro’s and Con’s of working from home is a good article to weigh the good, bad and in between of working from home.
The Concierge, the gatekeeper:
In the ancient world it was the gatekeeper who held the keys to the house. It was the gatekeeper that greeted guests as they arrived and attended to their needs. In the 12th century, the concierges appeared in the castles and palaces of Europe where they remained important members of the houshold staff for centuries to come. Then as now, their duties were to welcome and assist the guests throughout their stay. Todays castles and palaces are luxury hotels and inns. Today the concierges continue their ancient traditions…..(reference from Les Clefs d’Or)
Welcome to Virtual Anna’s Palace and Inn. To make you, my guest, feel welcomed and at home, a list of my most favorite recommendations and recent experiences -
The Virtual Anna List or the Virtual A-list for short:
My visit to the Monterey Peninsula
I recently stayed at one of my most favorite resorts in Carmel California, the Park Hyatt Carmel, Highlands Inn. It is a wonderfully relaxing resort with luxuriously appointed suites. Most rooms have wood burning fireplaces, all have feather beds, and binoculars to enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful Big Sur Coast. 
It is a Hyatt property but not to be partial, I have loved this resort long before I ever became a professional Concierge and a Hyatt employee. When staying at the Highlands Inn and for casual outdoor dining, I recommend the California Market. Reservations are not necessary and heat lamps are plenty for that crisp starry evening. Their calamari and clam chowder with a glass of buttery chardonnay is the perfect trio! 
Don’t forget to catch the sunset from the Point Lobos Lounge while listening to live music over an after dinner cocktail.
Park Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn 120 Highlands Dr, Carmel CA 93923 . 831-620-1234
For the Concierge extraordinaire at Hylands Inn, ask for Charlie or Kathleen. They are wonderful!
Roy’s Restaurant, The Inn at Spanish Bay
We have a family tradition when we are at Roy’s at Spanish Bay, and that is to listen to the bagpiper play amazing grace, with the view of the stunning sunset and beach in the background. It is truly amazing! Like clock work, the bagpiper plays everyday, beginning at the 1 st tee and making their way to Roy’s lanai by sunset. Relax at the lanai or next to the fire pits, while enjoying your favorite beverage and appetizers. I recommend Roy’s dragon roll sushi. It is “brok da mout” good! Enjoy Roy’s Hawaiian fusion creations inside the main dining room. Reservations are recommended.
Deear Haven Inn, Pacific Grove CA
Just around the bend from the Inn at Spanish Bay is a very charming Inn called the Deer Haven.We had the pleasure of staying at this delightful little place which was just a block away from Asilomar State Beach. Our room at the Deer Haven Inn was lovely and so cozy. It was spacious enough for the four of us and even had a small kitchenette complete with range, oven, refrigerator, microwave and breakfast nook to dine. This was the ideal place to stay especially for the beach goers and the golfers. The near by golf course is Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course. (1/2 mile away) This course is the best for the value and boasts the same scenic ocean views as Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach. It is perfect for the avid golfers and novice alike.
This is a post where I am asking for Guests to share their experience with my Virtual Concierge service. Your thoughts and feedback are greatly appreciated!
I am starting a daily entry of my work as a Virtual Concierge. I will document my day to day duties, share my thoughts and experiences, and introduce you to the many wonderful people I get to meet. To be a flly on the wall and see through the Virtual Concierge’s eyes….
Monday August 13, 2007
I am winding down my work day with just a few minutes left to my night shift. It has been a very busy day, like many Mondays. My work schedule during the week is 9 am-2 pm and 5:30 pm-8 pm.
I start off my day getting up and making breakfast for my kids. They are home for summer vacation and I have the luxury to have a leisurely breakfast with them. I also have time to feed all of our pets, (3 tropical fish, 2 toads, 2 tortoises, a bearded dragon, and a pet Akita) and throw in a load of laundry. Today the kids will spend the day at Grandpa’s so it will be somewhat quiet around the house.
Shower, Shampoo and Shine……….
I shower and get dressed as if I was going into the office. The real office, that is. I make myself up, fix my hair, brush my teeth and even put on perfume! I wear something nice and professional on top. (The bottom can be comfy like sweats, shorts or a sundress.) Today I wore on top, a crisp white collard shirt, a black blazer, an Hermes scarf, and on the bottom, my favorite pair of shorts!
The Hotel was full of teenage soccer players. They were quite intrigued by my virtual concierge service and made every excuse to come by my desk to talk, wave, smile, etc..
I even had two boys do a dance in front of me as if they were performing in front of a mirror. I know they just wanted some sort of reaction from me. Of course I gave them one. After their little dance, I stood up and gave them a standing ovation. If I had my camera to catch their expression!
Which brings me to the idea of like the fly on the wall- I will catch select guests expression and reactions using my digital camera and upload it onto this blog. I will then invite them to my blog to share their virtual concierge experience. Stay tuned……….
