Shangri-La Vancouver

Stay, eat, shop, explore—Vancouver's best according to Brit Gill.

With their position on the front lines of hospitality, concierges are often privy to unmentionable secrets, while deftly accommodating requests with all the finesse of a magician. The term was born in the French language, originating as commute des cierges or "keeper of the candles." It applied to the servants who tended to French aristocracy, responding to each of their whims and flights of fancy with minimal fuss. Nowadays, a concierge wears many hats — confidante, string-puller, and conjurer — and goes to great lengths to ensure a guest’s happiness. In this week’s blog, seven hotel concierges share their most memorable stories from on the job.

It was once the case that hotels would attempt to dazzle with a list of in-room amenities as long as a guest’s arm. However, today’s increasingly savvy traveler expects a little more than lotions and potions underneath the bathroom vanity. This demand is being met in a plethora of ways, but perhaps the most welcome one is the rise of unique experiences that immerse guests in the local environment. Several Kiwi Collection hotels have crafted particularly noteworthy offerings, and we take a closer look at ten.