Hotel Concierges Share the Secret to Getting VIP Treatment Every Single Time—Without Spending a Penny

In the world of luxury hotels, the concierge can be your golden ticket to VIP treatment—if you play your cards right. These oft-overlooked employees are actually gatekeepers, turning an ordinary stay into a celeb-worthy experience. And you don’t have to be an A-lister to be treated like one. We’ve tapped concierges to share tips and tricks for scoring that soigné experience every single stay.

Plan Ahead (and Politely Confirm)

Isa Ponce, Concierge Manager at Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel in Sedona is a firm believer in planning ahead. “If you wait until your arrival day, it’s less likely the upgrades you’re interested in will be available.”

And April Moore, Les Clefs d’Or Concierge Manager at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain agrees. “We always highly recommend planning your stay in advance. Prior to arriving, guests can communicate with various departments to craft a personalized experience and potential upgrades. Then, follow up upon check-in to make sure all the loose ends are tied.”

Terranea Resort

Acknowledge Excellence

“While tipping is always appreciated in hospitality, thoughtfulness truly stands out. Leaving a handwritten thank you note or voicing appreciation for the pre-arrival team goes a long way,” says Elizabeth Zak, Assistant Guest Services Manager at Terranea Resort. “The real way to win over the concierge is to simply say hello. We are, after all, in the business of making people smile!”

Especially when travel is known to heighten stress and emotions, it’s important to remember that, despite all of the viral videos of customers acting entitled, hospitality workers are humans too. “Kindness receives kindness,” says Ponce. “We also recommend communicating thoroughly when you make your reservations if there is anything specific we can assist you with.”

Moore agrees: “Nothing replaces acknowledgement from guests in the form of a letter to the resort manager or GM showing their appreciation for their above and beyond service.”

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Bring Treats

Much like giving your flight attendant candy or a Starbucks gift card can score you great treatment, small kind gestures can go a long way, especially for service industry workers, who spend their lives dedicated to serving others. “In an environment where concierges might interact with dozens or even hundreds of people each day, these moments of connection create familiarity and recognition with our guests and can lead to loyal relationships,” says Joyce Louie, Director of Hotel Operations at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. “Whether it’s a simple gift, like a specialty candy from your local area or a thoughtful gesture like a handwritten thank-you note, tokens of gratitude make the staff feel appreciated, and their efforts valued, rather than incentivized.”

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Opt for off Days

When it comes to scoring a restaurant reservation, “hot restaurants and bars will most likely be busier Thursday through Saturday, so making reservations as early as possible is key,” says Moore. She suggests tapping into the team for these sorts of requests, even if booking sites are showing reservations aren’t available. “Our Les Clefs d’Or concierge team has many connections with top local establishments, so many times they can arrange something with their fellow well-connected concierge or maître d’ that you wouldn’t get by calling in or booking online.”

The Sky Is the Limit

“From private celebrity chef experiences to workout equipment in a guest room, we have seen it all… VIP guests often have unique requests such as a certain way to turn down their bed, a special brand of beverage, and the types of glassware they prefer to use,” says Zak. “We have also been asked to unwrap the soap, put guards over electrical outlets, add additional blackout drapes, and go grocery shopping prior to arrival.” And since luxury hotels aim to treat all their clients like VIPs, it’s worth it to ask in advance.