AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwired - May 29, 2013) - The talent of a hotel concierge, much like that of a writer or an athlete, isn't something that can be learned, according to Ben Voogd, concierge at the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel. "It's just got to be in you," he says.
That skill-set has been in Voogd since he was a young boy growing up in Amsterdam, and today, after 31 years at this Amsterdam luxury hotel , it's what makes him one of this year's recipients of a Marriott Award of Excellence.
The award, established to recognize the "best of the best" at Marriott, was given to 10 associates and two properties this year, among them Voogd of this Amsterdam hotel in the historic Jordaan.
Voogd's success at this central Amsterdam hotel starts with his hometown connection. "You have to love your city, your country and your hotel," he says. "If you have that love, it is so easy to take care of your guests."
Taking care of guests can take all forms, from helping them get oriented and recommending restaurants to arranging tours and procuring tickets. However, Voogd's help doesn't stop at the hotel doors. On one occasion a guest called the front desk for an ambulance to take her husband, who was having a heart attack, to the hospital. The wife stayed with her husband in the hospital for more than a week, during which Voogd visited them after his shift. "I just wanted to provide them with a friendly face," he says. "It can be overwhelming to be in a foreign country while having such health concerns."
When he's not helping guests, Voogd is one himself. Through travel he sees how other Marriott associates take care of their guests and recommends other concierges do the same. Voogd has been able to travel to every country in Europe and the U.S. with his associate discount, and that exposure to other cultures is part of what he says makes him a successful concierge.
About the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel The Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel may be connected to the 17 th -century Koepelkerk, but its facilities are made for the modern traveler. Set in the heart of the city centre and within walking distance of the area's biggest attractions, this boutique hotel offers accommodations that are as comfortable as home and as well-equipped as the office. Amenities include air-conditioning, an HDTV, luxurious bedding, spacious work area, high-speed Internet access and a safe. Suites offer additional space and separate areas for working, living and sleeping while club-level accommodations include access to the exclusive lounge and its complimentary breakfast and snacks. Connect with new friends or clients in the lobby, where inviting spaces can accommodate business meetings and social gatherings alike. Active guests can get their workout in at the 24-hour gym or head outside of this hotel near Amsterdam's canals for a bike ride along the water, stroll amidst colorful flowers in the market or take a tour of the city's modern art galleries and museums. This downtown hotel features three distinct dining venues including Italian cuisine at Scossa, casual, all-day fare at the street-side Koepelcafé and specialty cocktails, bites and chilled-out music at 2B Lounge Bar. Guests looking for a special venue for their meeting or event will find 16,000 square feet, custom catering and a location near Central Station all at the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel.
CONTACT: Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel Kattengat 1, Amsterdam, 1012 SZ Netherlands 31-20-621 2223 www.renaissanceamsterdam.com
