Fairmont Quebec - Flipbook - Page 15
Up Close & Personal
With Maleni Rendon Chavez
Chef Concierge at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
Wh en d i d you d ec i de to bec ome a c onc i erge and h ow di d you start ?
When I was in college, I learned about many job positions in hotels. I love customer service and
interacting with people, so I knew from the very start that a concierge position would really go
well with my personality.
Wh at d oes you r job entai l, and c an you desc ri be a normal day?
Contacting clients prior to their arrival to help them organize their vacation. Suggesting
activities in the area and helping them to live a local experience. A normal day might be to
answer the phone calls and emails, and give maps and ideas on what to do, always asking first
for the client’s preferences.
Wh at i s t h e adva ntage of speaki ng to a c onc i erge over t h e i nt ernet ?
The human interaction and local experience; everybody can look on the internet, but the
suggestion from a local expert makes it more personal because they can always discover a little
extra!
Wh at d o you enj oy t h e most abou t bei ng a c onc i erg e?
Being part of a new experience every day. Organizing vacations or booking activities is amazing;
I feel as though I am the one travelling. You get to live a different life every day.
Wh at are t he b i ggest c h all enges you fac e, and wh at I t he most sat i sf yi ng or unusual
t h i ng you h ave d one for a gu est ?
Working in a region where some things are not always accessible is not easy. For example, things
like finding a charter last minute or renting a luxury car. The most satisfying thing I have lived is
working during the G7 Summit. I was able to meet many important people. Because I was
working the night shift during that time, I got to have interesting conversations with the body
guards of some of the presidents.
Wh at plac es d o you generally rec ommend?
I am a nature lover and I live in the perfect destination for it, so hikes might be my first
suggestion, depending on what the client wants of course. I also tend to recommend discovering
the restaurants I have loved the most and the products of the region.
PRESTIGE | Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
15