French hotel offers art history concierge

Visitors to Paris feeling overwhelmed by the city's cultural offerings can now ask questions and book private tours through the in-house art concierge at Le Royal Monceau hotel.

Hotel guests looking for something more from their hotel stay have already benefitted from services such as an in-house pet psychic and a soap concierge, offering hand-cut locally-made products. Now, Raffles Hotels and Resorts has installed an art concierge at Le Royal Monceau in Paris. The resort was closed in 2008 for a redevelopment headed by French designer Philippe Starck, who made art an integral part of the refurb by inviting artists to display their work in the public areas of the hotel. Print copies of artworks also form part of the decoration of every room while its Art District space serves as an exhibition room and its La Librarie des Arts shop houses numerous books and merchandise related to the subject. Those feeling overwhelmed by the hotel’s offerings, as well as the number of opportunities to see art in Paris, can now contact Domoina de Brantes — the in-house art concierge of Le Royal Monceau. According to reports, de Brantes can organize private tours of exhibitions at Le Centre Georges Pompidou, one of the most popular Paris galleries, and offer her knowledge of art history to better inform visitors during their stay. The concierge does not just stay within the white walls of galleries, however – travelers can also gain insight into the street art of the city through the service. This is only the latest example of hotels offering a niche service in order to distinguish themselves on the market. Those in hospitality – what specialist skills or knowledge could you offer your clientele? Spotted by: Hemanth Chandrasekar