Bike Butler equips hotel guests with local cycling knowledge

The Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver is launching a Bike Butler service, giving cyclists help in exploring the local surroundings.

Not all hotels cater for tourists who want to travel in an eco-friendly way, although we have previously seen venues such as The Charles Hotel in Massachusetts offer free cycle classes. Now the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver is launching a Bike Butler service, giving cyclists help in exploring the local surroundings.

After noting the number of travelers arriving at the hotel with their own bikes — or wanting to know where they could hire one — the company launched its first Bike Butler service this summer. A stock of 20 bicycles were available to for members of the Fairmont President’s Club loyalty scheme to borrow, free of charge, to explore the city. On hand was Marc Henley, the hotel’s resident bike concierge, who offered accessories such as helmets, locks, water bottles and maps, and was even available for a quick tuning up of their bike. As well as getting equipment from the Bike Butler, tourists could also get some recommendations from the passionate cyclist, who has 20 years of experience taking his two wheels around Canada.

Bicycles offer a cheap and environmentally-friendly way for tourists to take in a new city and its atmosphere, and Fairmont is adding extra value to its services by providing a tailored experience for guests using a bike. Are there other niche areas that hotels could provide expert assistance on?