Posts Tagged ‘Concierge’

 

A League of Her Own

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

KandiceThink you’re busy? Try juggling a job at M and a budding career in football; Lingerie Football to be specific. Our resort is home to our very own Lingerie Football League (LFL) player, Kandice Golar. By day she’s a star concierge at our resort helping guests create memorable getaways and on her days off she’s hitting the turf with the ladies of the Las Vegas Sin. We caught up with our concierge Kandice to get the full nine yards on her hospitality and sports careers.

How long have you worked at the M?

I‘ve been working for M for a little over a year now.

What’s your favorite part of being a concierge?

Being a concierge is such a rewarding job. It gives me the chance to interact with and help people from all walks of life and people from all over the world. I’m able to assist guests with fantastic ways to celebrate a special event or meaningful occasion in their life.  Whether it’s ordering chocolate strawberries and champagne to flowers and balloons, I enjoy assisting our guests with making their stay at M special, romantic and more memorable.

What’s the most unique request you’ve gotten so far?

Shaquille O’Neal needed long, black dress socks within hours.  Not realizing until after I spoke with him that he wore a size 23 shoe, I knew I had some calling around to do.  It was a daunting task but I was able to get him his socks just in the nick of time with the help of a seamstress.

How do you juggle playing for the LFL and working at M?

I’m able to handle both jobs with the help of my very understanding and awesome Management Team and Team Members at M!

tackle

Kandice (left) tackles an opponent on the Chicago Bliss.

How did you get in to playing for the LFL?

A friend of mine thought I would be interested in the LFL after she received an email about tryouts for the team they were forming in Las Vegas.  At first I the thought the LFL was going to be similar to powder puff football that I had played in high school.  But after doing some research on the league, I saw that it was full contact, tackle football.  I was very excited about the opportunity and decided to tryout. I haven’t looked back since!

Did you always have an interest in playing sports?

I’ve always been interested in sports even at a young age. My parents always kept me very active in various types of sports while growing up. I played club, high school and college soccer. After college I began competing in figure competitions. I really enjoy being active and I just love to compete.

What’s your LFL position?

I play both wide receiver and corner for the Las Vegas Sin.

How long have you been playing for the LFL?

This is my first year playing in the LFL and I LOVE it!  This is also the first year for Las Vegas to have a LFL team. It’s a great feeling to be part of a team especially during their first year!

What tips would you give to girls wanting to play for the LFL?

Anyone can be taught the basics of football.  Just make sure that you have some type of athleticism. It’s important to be in-shape and be prepared to train hard.

Do you have any other unique hobbies?

Aside from the LFL, I compete in figure competitions and I also enjoy snowboarding.

On the heels of their first victory, Kandice’s team the Las Vegas Sin beat the Chicago Bliss 32-20 in their debut game. You can see Kandice and the other ladies of the Las Vegas Sin play in their first home game on November 11 at the Orleans Arena against the L.A. Temptation.

 
 

A Q&A with Nancy J. – M Resort Concierge

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

NancyJConciergeblog“Can’t we just ask the concierge?” Have you ever heard that question or asked that question yourself while on vacation and staying at a hotel or resort? The answer is “yes.” Here at M Resort, we have a concierge that is absolutely one of the best you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet – not just because she can help you with just about anything, has incredible experience and knows Vegas like you know your own home, but well, she’s just the kind of person you’re happy to know. So here she is, Nancy Jeskey, Concierge:

Q:  Tell us what a concierge does.
A:   Concierges are here to serve every guest – to help them with anything they need as long as it is not illegal, immoral or unkind. We help guests plan their day, provide information and make arrangements for them.

Q:  How did you decide you wanted to be a concierge?
A:   I love to travel and I truly love to help people.

Q:  How many years have you been a concierge?
A:   17 years – I entered the concierge profession in 1993 in Indian Wells, California and became a Les Clefs d’Or member in 1998. I was a concierge in California for 10 years and was Palm Springs Life Concierge of the Year in 1996.

Q:  So, what’s “Les Clefs d’Or”?
A:   Les Clefs d’Or is an international organization of professional hotel concierges. To join an applicant must have five years experience in the hotel industry and be sponsored by two current members. The application process is so stringent that the organization has just 450 members in the United States.

Q:  What kind of training did you have?
A:   Your training is really on your knowledge of the city. I am a member of the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association and a past president of the Desert Resorts Concierge Association in the Palm Springs area.

Q:  What, in your opinion, are the “must-have” characteristics to be a good concierge?
A:   Knowledge of the city you live in is key. I’d also say the ability to multi-task, a genuine desire to help others and good ethics and conduct – remember you represent your hotel. 

Q:  Where did you work prior to coming to the M Resort?
A:   I’ve worked at Renaissance in Las Vegas, Esmeralda Renaissance in Palm Springs and the Hyatt Grand Champion. I’ve been with the M Resort since its opening.

  Q:  What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
A:   The people. They are so grateful for your help. I can make them feel at home and comfortable. Guests trust concierges and expect concierges to know the ins and outs of the city. It’s rewarding when I can help them navigate the city. This is my most favorite job by far. I hope to be a concierge for many more years.  

Q:  How do you stay on top of what is happening around the city?
A:   I belong to professional associations so we are able to network and share what’s happening in the city with each other. Networking is so important. I read everything I can, experience as much as I possibly and drive around constantly.  

Q:  What is a typical day like for you?
A:   A typical day is helping people with anything from shopping recommendations, to purchasing tickets for shows to helping them with transportation.  

Q:  What has been one of the most unique things that someone/a guest has asked you to help with?
A:   I had a guest in Palm Springs ask me to get two live camels and stage them in front of his friend’s room as a practical joke. If you can believe it, it only took me 20 minutes to get them rented. It was so much fun.

 I also once had a Sultan whose entourage called down and asked me to get him and his entire entourage on a plane to Paris that same day. His entourage took up two entire floors of the property so you can imagine how many of them there were. I called around, spoke to my counterparts in Paris and had them all on a plane within three hours.  

Q:  What are your favorite places in Vegas?
A:   I love the M – it’s a beautiful property and definitely one of my favorites. If guests are looking for places on the Strip to eat I tell them Joel Robuchon or Fleur de Lys. One of my most favorite shows is Human Nature. It’s lively and just a great show. I also really enjoy Le Rêve.  

Q:  What do you recommend guests at the M do while they’re here?
A:   Veloce is an absolute must – it’s romantic and has one of the best views of the city. Spa treatments are another must while you’re here. Hostile Grape is my favorite place – I love the entertainment and the wine, of course! And now that pool season is here, a cabana by the pool is another must-do.  

Q:  Favorite place that you’ve traveled
A:  Traveling has certainly helped me to be a better concierge. Hawaii is my favorite place, but if I could live anywhere I’d live 4 months in Hong Kong, 4 months in Paris, 4 months here in Vegas and 4 months in Hawaii. 

Q:  Interesting celebrities/ people you’ve helped or met
A:   George Hamilton was one of my favorites and just the nicest person. I also enjoyed helping Pamela Anderson and Frank Sinatra. I knew Frank personally and was there for the christening of his grandkids.