Making The Mundane Extraordinary

InterContinental Concierge Service offers visitors to the Chinese capital a way of expediting familiarization with the city, Lindsay Andrews reports.

Beijing has a complex character, and it can take time to get to know and appreciate all its many different aspects. But if you are on a short visit, time is something you just don't have enough to become familiar with the city.

The Forbidden Palace, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, many of the mustsee attractions in Beijing are the legacy of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and as such they embody the grandeur and majesty of imperial power.

Alongside these are the gleaming skyscrapers and futuristic architectural imaginings that dominate the skyline of the modern and vibrant metropolis that Beijing is today.

Dotted among these, are many attractive parks and the endlessly entertaining hutong, the narrow alleyways between the courtyard residences, that create some of the most characterful, and most charming, parts of the city.

And that is not to mention the city's cultural countenance, or its distinctive gastronomic demeanor.

All in all, there is a lot to see and a lot to do, if you want to become familiar with the city.

And if you want to become better acquainted with this beguiling city, you are going to need a little help; assistance from someone who is in the know; someone who not only knows how to get things done, but who knows where and how to give them that little twist to make them special.

That's what the three Inter-Continental hotels in the capital offer with their concierge service. Familiarity with the city is combined with the personal touch that can create for guests an unforgettable journey of discovery tailored to their interests.

Whether that be the gastronomic delights of traditional Beijing cuisine in an elegant courtyard in a secluded hutong area, rounding of the meal with jingbajian - the eight delicate varieties of Chinese pastries that originated in the kitchen of the Imperial Palace - or a helicopter ride along the Great Wall as it threads together watchtowers and peaks like pearls on a string, or something widely outlandish or even something ordinary that you don't know how to do or get in the capital, InterContinental concierges are like genies who will try to meet your every wish - so long as it is moral and legal, or course.

Whatever it is you want to see or do, Intercontinental concierges have the knowledge and contacts to make the mundane extraordinary - and the dedication to their profession to take pride in doing so.

Lu Jun, who is chief concierge at InterContinental Beijing Financial Street, says for him it is "service through friendship".

He wears a pair of crossed gold keys on the lapels of his coat, which signify he is a member of Les Clefs d' Or China. They are confirmation that he has trained and dedicated many years of hard work - in Liu's case 25 - to be among the best in his profession.

Chen Weihua, chief concierge at InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, also wears the crossed keys as a badge of honor. He says his aim is always to "exceed the expectations of guests".

For Beijing local Zhu Kun, chief concierge at InterContinental Beijing Beichen, who has worked in the industry for about 16 years, it is providing that surprise and "getting to know guests", that make being a concierge such a worthwhile occupation.

What characterizes a good concierge is integrity, discretion, ingenuity and friendliness, and whether you are in Beijing for business or vacation, the InterContinental concierge teams are dedicated to being expediters, advisors and confidantes to ensure your stay is memorable for all the right reasons.

Contact the writer at lindsayandrews@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/04/2017 page10)