Hilton Nashville 2022 - Flipbook - Page 12
Up Close & Personal
With Dawn Kote & Flo McLean
T h e H o t e l C o n c i e r g e Te a m a t H i l t o n N a s h v i l l e D o w n t o w n
When did you decide to become a concierge and how did you start?
I Decided to become a concierge after working 8 years in Public Relations for a restaurant in Nashville. I had developed
relationships with concierge all over this town. The more I talked to the concierge the more I wanted their job!
I made the jump to the concierge desk in 2016. Dawn Kote
Over 12 years ago, I wasn’t really looking for a job as concierge, but the more I found out about it, the more intrigued
I became. Concierge work attracts those of us who wish to share our passion for the city we’ve known and lived in all
our lives. It is also such an interesting job that teaches me something new almost every day. And last, but not least, it’s
a lot of fun! Flo McLean
What does your job entail and can you describe a normal day for us?
What do you enjoy the most about being a concierge?
Bragging about my home town and helping visitors make the best out of their visit to Music City. Dawn Kote
By personality, a concierge loves a challenge. And nothing is more satisfying at the end of the day than knowing we’ve
met or exceeded a guest’s expectations. When they walk through the lobby, look our way and give us a ‘thumb’s up’
we know we’ve chosen the right restaurant, or tour, that pleases the guest. Flo McLean
What are the biggest challenges that you face and what is the most satisfying or unusual thing
you have done for a guest?
Trying to get tickets to SOLD OUT shows are very hard but with a bit of luck, we find them. The most unusual thing I
have done for a guest was finding a play date for a guest pet dog. Dawn Kote
As a concierge there is no such thing as “A Normal Day” and that’s one of the reasons I love what I do! Pointing out
spots in and around the city with a map is something I do every day and social media keeps me up to date on who is
playing gigs in and around Nashville. One of my jobs is to help keep the guest informed on what’s going on in our
great city. Dawn Kote
Securing reservations at popular restaurants, getting event tickets and scheduling tours that often times are booked up
days, even weeks, in advance. Flo McLean
Our typical day is as varied as the requests we receive. Besides speaking with our guests face-to-face at the concierge
desk in the lobby, or by phone, we locate and book tours, make dinner reservations, purchase Grand Ole Opry tickets
and more. We get unusual requests almost every week such as getting a forgotten passport to a guest who is about to
board a plane and finding a formal bowtie within an hour of the guest’s event. Flo McLean
That’s one I have a hard time answering because every guest has different taste and interest levels. I do love the Old
Town Trolley’s Hop On Hop off tours and you can’t leave Nashville without trying our pulled pork barbecue. Peg Leg
Porker Barbecue is near and dear to my heart. I went to Hillsboro (located in Nashville) High School with the owner
and YES… he really does have a peg leg! Dawn Kote
What is the advantage of speaking to a concierge over searching the internet?
Growing up in Nashville as well as living in the city… odds are I have experienced most places first hand. We save our
guest time and we’re sure of our unbiased and knowledgeable recommendations. That’s a true luxury! Dawn Kote
With concierge services at the Hilton, it’s all about you. We want to make suggestions that are focused on your
individual interests and expectations. You are ahead of the game if you contact the concierge team before your arrival,
or at least the beginning of your stay. That gives us the opportunity to check events, make reservations for popular
tours and dining establishments. Flo McLean
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PRESTIGE | Hilton Nashville Downtown
Which places would you recommend to see and do in Nashville?
Visit the Parthenon, home of the Greek goddess Athena, which is in the beautiful Centennial Park; take a trip to
Lynchburg to visit the world renowned Jack Daniels Distillery, and while there, treat yourself to an authentic Southern
lunch at Miss Mary BoBo’s Boarding House; attend the show that made Nashville famous-The Grand Ole Opry! Visit
the home of President Andrew Jackson, the Hermitage; take a tour of the Belle Meade Plantation and Winery; stroll the
beautiful grounds of the Cheekwood Fine Arts Center and Botanical Gardens-a treat year round! And lastly, you can’t
say you’ve visited Nashville without spending an evening HonkyTonking up and down Broadway! Flo McLean
PRESTIGE | HILTON NASHVILLE DOWNTOWN
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