Different Hotel Careers

A concierge is an employee who lives on the premises and serves as a janitor and general caretaker.

In medieval times, the concierge was an officer of the King who was charged with executing justice, with the help of his bailiffs. The term concierge evolved from the French Comte Des Cierge, The Keeper of the Candles, who tended to visiting nobles in castles of the medieval era.

In 19th century and early 20th century apartment buildings, particularly in Paris, the concierge, often a middle-aged woman, had a small apartment on the ground floor and was able to monitor all comings and goings. However, such settings are now extremely rare; most concierges in small or middle-sized buildings have been replaced by the part-time services of janitors. These are less costly and less intrusive.

Some larger apartment buildings or groups of buildings retain the use of a concierge, without the traditional disposition whereas the concierge saw all comings and goings. The concierge may, for instance, keep the mail of absented dwellers; be entrusted with the keys of apartments in cases of emergencies in the absence of the inhabitant; and other services.

In hotels and certain other facilities, a concierge assists guests with various tasks like finding taxicabs, restaurants, and interesting places to visit. In upscale establishments, a concierge is often expected to "achieve the impossible", dealing with any request a guest may have, no matter how apocryphal or strange, relying on an extensive list of personal contacts with various local merchants and service providers.

Additionally there are private concierge service companies, that cater to individuals or organizations and provide a whole range of services. Typically provided services include travel arrangement, event planning, vacation planning, homewatch management and errand services to name a few. These independent concierges generally charge a fee on top of the cost of the service, to cover their time and expenses.

The owners and operators of concierge and errand service businesses are supported and advocated by the non-profit International Concierge and Errand Association and the National Concierge Association. These associations serve their members through essential resources, continuing education, networking opportunities and other professional endeavors.

Hotel concierge staffs in the US have their own professional association - Les Clefs d'Or. Members can be distinguished by the gold keys they display on their lapels.

Bathroom attendants are workers stationed in a bathroom that provide tap water, soap, towels and an assortment of toiletries. They are a relatively recent phenomenon. Previously confined to extravagant restaurants or bars, bathroom attendants have begun to creep into mainstream society and can be found in moderately priced bars across metropolitan cities.

It is often the case that these bathroom attendants can seem presumptuous, pressuring clientele to accept a spray of aftershave or an array of personal grooming services, in exchange for a tip.

It is thought by some that such services apply implied pressure to offer financial reward for a fairly limited service, and as such have seen the discussion of social etiquette in such situations.

Chef is a term commonly used to refer to an individual who cooks professionally. Within a restaurant however, chef (French for chief or head) is often only used to refer to one person: the one in charge of everyone else in the kitchen. This is usually the Executive Chef. There are many kinds of kitchen organizations, with the titles and duties for each position varying depending on the particular restaurant. In general, the hierarchy in a classical kitchen brigade is as follows:

The Chef de Cuisine's placement within the kitchen can vary depending on the individual restaurants hierarchy setup. Generally, it is either equivalent to an Executive Chef position, or a position equivalent to a Sous Chef, under the command of an Executive Sous Chef.

The sous chef (pronounced "soo-shef" -- French for "under chef") is the direct assistant of the Executive Chef. The Sous Chef often shares some duties with the executive chef, such as menu planning, costing and ordering. Larger kitchens often have more than one sous chef, with each covering a certain shift or having his or her own area of responsibility, such as the banquet sous chef, in charge of all banquets, or the executive sous chef, in charge of all other sous chefs.

Generally done by the sous chef, the expediter serves as the liaison between the customers in the dining room and the line cooks. With the help of proper coordination and timing, they make sure that the food gets to the wait staff in a timely fashion, so that everyone sitting at a particular table is served simultaneously.

A chef de partie, also known as a "station chef" or "line cook", is in charge of a particular area of production. In large kitchens, each station chef might have several cooks and/or assistants. In most kitchens however, the station chef is the only worker in that department. Line cooks are often divided into a hierarchy of their own, starting with "First Cook", then "Second Cook", and so on as needed.

In larger kitchens, each station chef would have cooks and assistants (commis) that help with the particular duties that are assigned to that area. With experience, assistants may be promoted to station cooks and then to station chefs.

A valet or gentleman's gentleman is a gentleman's male servant. The valet performs personal services such as maintaining his employer's clothes, running his bath and perhaps (especially in the past) shaving his employer. In a great house the master of the house had his own valet, in the grandest the same would go for other adult members of the employing family (e.g. master's sons), at a court even minor princes and high officials may be assigned one, but in a smaller household the butler (the majordomo in charge of the household staff) might have to double as his employer's valet. In a bachelor's household the valet might perform light housekeeping duties as well. Valets, like butlers and most specialized domestic staff, have become relatively rare, and a more common — though still infrequent — arrangement is the general servant performing combined roles.

Traditionally, valets did much more than merely lay out clothes and take care of personal items. He was also responsible for making travel arrangements, dealing with any bills and handling all money matters concerning his master or his master's household.

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Staying in B & B Accommodation   by S Wander

Copyright 2005 S Wander

Bed and Breakfast accommodation can be a wonderful alternative to staying in a hotel while on your vacation or traveling in general. Almost any destination town you select within the UK will have some sort of B & B accommodation option that you can choose to spend your stay.

A definite advantage and draw to a Bed and Breakfast, is that your stay will feel more like that of visiting friends in their home rather than staying in a hotel. Hotels tend to be extremely formal, and often extremely uniform. A Bed and Breakfast has more of a home like atmosphere, often because the B & B is someone's home. In many cases the proprietors of the Bed and Breakfast will also live in it. They will simply own a larger house than meets their personal needs, and will rent out rooms to travelers who are in need of a place to stay while they are in town. Bed and Breakfasts are generally decorated like they are someone's home, and have much more character to them than your traditional travel accommodations.

A guest house can offer you all of the comforts and luxuries of staying in some of the finest hotels, while keeping your stay small and intimate in a home like atmosphere of a Bed and Breakfast. Guest houses are often preferred by vacationers for their home like appearance. Especially, if you plan on staying in a particular location for several weeks, a Bed and Breakfast can often be a much more comfortable stay than a stay in a hotel for which you would pay a comparable rate.

At a guest house you also have the opportunity to dine on a home cooked meal. B & B's are sometimes famous for the great cooking which is prepared usually by a visitor's request by the proprietor of the Bed and Breakfast or in some cases the guest house's cook. Unlike other establishments that are cooking for a great number of people, a Bed and Breakfast is only preparing food in some cases for you and your travel companions. Depending on the Bed and Breakfast you choose mealtime can often be a time where you can get to know other people who are traveling and staying in the B & B as well, and can be a good time for you to sit down and get to know the people behind the house that you are currently staying in.

Many guest house's will also allow you to bring you pets along with you. If you're traveling with a pet companion then this can often be invaluable. Bed and Breakfast's since they are located in a home, will often have a decent amount of yard space in addition to their home that would allow you to allow you pet some access to the outdoors and exercise rather than spending their days cooped up in a small hotel room.

A Bed and Breakfast can make where you stay during your travel a personal affair. At a B & B you are going to have direct contact with the people who operate where you are staying. Since the guest list at a Bed and Breakfast is almost always small you will be able to get more specialized attention for your needs, and have less people to worry about dealing with within your accommodations. Often times you will become friends with the owners and proprietors of your favorite guest house, contact them on the off season while your at home, and look forward to coming back to visit them during your other travels to the area.

Volcano Hospitality   by Gayle Olson

Kilauea volcano has for quite some time has enticed and fascinated visitors. Since the mid-1800s, The Volcano House Hotel has sat on the edge of Kilauea caldera. Between the years of 1865-1955 the hotel maintained a register which has recorded the experience and wonder of Pele's domain. A lesson in geology and human nature, the amusing entries chronicle the lengths an adventurer might go to experience a natural wonder.

The guest book first appeared in 1865. Volcano house was no more than a grass hut when O.H. Gluck donated the first blank guest book.

Travelers and passerby are requested by the donor of this book to record their names in it and to note all, or any, volcanic phenomena that may come under their notice during their stay at the time of their visit. By so doing, this record may become of great value, some years hence, to the scientific world... O.H. Gulick, 2 Feb 1865

In 1865 Volcano House was located between two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. As there was no official observatory at the time, Gulick proposed the original log book would be a means to record volcanic activity. The Volcano House eventually became a hotel which was rebuilt over the years. As one logbook was filled a new register was donated.

In 1866 an improved hotel was constructed by Julius Richardson of frame, bamboo and thatch. There was a furnished parlor, a fireplace, and two sleeping rooms.

Having visited Kilauea in the days when the old shed with its open door and hole in the center, for a fireplace, were all the accommodation for poor weary chilled travelers; how great is our appreciation and admiration of the present delightful dwelling which well deserves the name of hotel. Well may Madame Pele now light up her fires and advertise for visitors since she can receive them with hospitality. M.A. Chamberlain, Honolulu, 19 July 1866

In 1877, William H. Lentz was hired to assist in building an improved hotel. he took over as proprietor until 1883. The 1877 building now houses the Volcano Art Center.

The management of the Volcano House is second to none in the kingdom, and could be well copied by a house in Honolulu of far greater pretensions. I reckon that all who come here will be pleased, the combination of a cool atmosphere, a genial host, a table thoroughly supplied with various delicacies which could not be expected here and last though not least good beds and warm fires make it a place where one would like to remain for a week. signature illegible, Louisiana, 6 Dec 1882

In 1883 O.T. Shipman took over managing the hotel until 1885. Guests were pleased with the new management. However, the main attraction continued to be Madame Pele.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH The Great Craters OF HALE-MAU-MAU and KALEAU! Billows of liquid fire! Waves of molten lava!! Fiery fountains!!! UNPARALLELED PYROTECHNIC DISPLAYS!!!! Day and Night Goddess Pele, Propreitress Geo. D. Dorrin, Berkeley, Cal., 19-21 April 1884

In 1885 the Volcano House came under the new ownership of the "Wilder Steamship Company," with John Maby as manager.

I came to the Volcano House for the benefit of my health and must say that the climate, the comfortable and clean beds, the good well prepared food, the sulfur baths and the kind treatment I have received at the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Maby have made me feel like a new man. I can not help but feel surprised that people from Honolulu especially and the different islands also don't come here to the Volcano House when they need a rest, because everything that can be done for them is certainly done by the manager and his good lady. Only regret is that Madame Pele was not at home when we called on her, but the grand and awe inspiring sights we saw repaid us quite for any hardships we had to go through, if any, on our return home. The weather during the time I have been here has not been such as one would call favorable but the open hearted welcome which I invariably received after a tramp in the surrounding woods has always cheered me up. John G. Eckardt, 24 Jan 1887

1891 saw new owners, the Volcano House Company. A new and larger hotel was constructed under the direction of George A. Howard. The new manager of the house was Peter Lee, he ran the Volcano House until 1898.

Four A.M. visited crater. Twenty-eight fountains were playing. Combined light from lanterns and crater formed an awe inspiring sight. Visitors are strongly recommended to visit Madame Pele by night. Mr. Lee's opposition may be overcome by strategy. Hide lamps and sticks in your beds. no signature, 2 April 1894

In 1898, Fred Waldron took over management of Volcano House for about two years.

We made a trip to the crater by day and one by night - both of which were interesting. At night the cracks burned a fiery red and we amused ourselves cooking eggs, baking bananas and burning sticks. We went into the hot cone and felt the heat of 130 degrees, and charmed by the interesting wonders and moonlight, almost forgot to come back - so, much to our surprise when we were coming through the moonlit forest of ferns we met a search party - fearful that the edge had caved in and that we were no more. The relief of our host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Waldron) at our return, was shown in a very charming midnight repast and a hot crackling wood fire. Mrs., Edith Maling, 19 June 1902

After Mr. Waldron left, St. Clair Bidgood became manager until 1904.

For snow capped mountain peaks, rugged rocks, fiery pits, bracing air, complete cuisine, good service and the most congenial of hosts, visit the Volcano House. C.K. Maguire, Manila P.I., 5 July 1904

In 1904 George Lycurgus and his nephew Demosthenes Lycurgus arrived to manage the hotel. Demosthenes ran the Volcano House between 1905 and 1919.

For the admirer of the marvelous; for the over of Nature in one of her most picturesque garbs; for the seeker after health for the bob-vivant; for the botanist, the geologist, and the seismologist; here is to be found something or other to interest, to enjoy, and to satisfy. Singular must be the human being who cannot be happy amidst such charming surroundings. Edward Armitage, Palikani, 2 Dec 1905

In 1919 Demosthenes went to Greece for a visit and Peter Anastasopoulous took over as manager. While in Greece Demosthenes became ill and died in 1921. The Inter-Island Steamship Company then gained control of Volcano House and made extensive alterations. Peter T. Phillips managed for awhile, and was replaced in 1923 by Channing J. Lovejoy who managed until 1927.

I shall remember my days here with great pleasure. The first time in traveling (India, China, Japan) I have been able to sit in the woods, enjoy peacefully the birds, the ferns. It reminds me of my own Dorset homeland. Beautiful Hawaii. Wm. George, Dorset, England, 28 Aug 1927

Mr. and Mrs. James N. Gandy ran the Volcano House from 1927 to 1932.

The most spectacular sight I ever hope to see - came to spend a weekend, decided to stay two weeks. Clare Bennett, 27 July 1929

No better comforts. No better scenery and atmosphere. A home within a hotel. Lady Florence, 10 May 1931

Only two years after the Inter-Island Company purchased and invested $150,000 in renovations in the hotel Halemaumau ceased activity. Revenues fell due to fewer visitors. The Volcano House went into receivership following the depression, stock market crash and financial difficulties. At a sheriff's sale in 1932, George Lycurgus became owner of the hotel once more. The only bidder he purchased Volcano House for $300.

The Volcano House became world famous, partly because of the unique location and beautiful country and partly because of Mr. Lycurgus himself.

The Volcano House and Hawaiian National Park is indeed a garden of Eden in Paradise. The exterior and interior of the Volcano House has all the sophistication of the most deluxe Hotel in the world, and yet, by the flickering firelight encircling the cheery hearth, you will find the happy family attitude of a small abode. The engaging smile of welcome and true hospitality, from the most pleasing countenance of Mr. George Lycurgus, greets you each morning, noon and evening. To me this gorgeous spot is like "love" - to describe it makes it but the less. It is something we feel yet can not define. It is something we know, yet can not express. Fay Frances King, Honolulu, no date

In 1940 a fire in the kitchen ignited the entire hotel and everything within the hotel was lost. The 1877 building was spared and made into a temporary hotel. By 1941, Lycurgus had built a new hotel, the Volcano House which still stands today.

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