Minute on the clock: Didzis Neimanis, head concierge, Amba Hotel Charing Cross

Didzis Neimanis is the head concierge at Amba Hotel Charing Cross, London. He talks to Lisa Jenkins about how his passion for his role led him to create Instagram network @askyourconciergeLondon

 

What does the role of head concierge entail?

 

I do everything one would expect from any head of department in addition to ensuring my team and I are constantly keeping up to date with London and everything it has to offer. It is a task that can never be completed, which is exactly what I love about it. We then transform our knowledge into memorable experiences for our guests. I also manage and create content for my hotel's social media platforms.

 

How has this role helped you develop your career?

 

For me, being a concierge is not just a career. It is my hobby, my passion and my way of life. Any success of mine is only due to the fact I absolutely love what I do.

 

Why are you so passionate about promoting this job function in particular?

 

 

What awards have you won recognising your role?

 

In 2017 I won the Young Concierge of the Year for Great Britain and the Commonwealth, and this year I received the Rising Star Award from the Business Travel Awards.

 

Can you tell us about your ultimate career goal?

 

Being a head concierge is definitely where I see myself for the next 10 years at least. I absolutely love my current hotel and have an amazing team and the most wonderful guests, but ultimately I would like to take over a bigger, five-star property. Furthermore, with the help of my social media project, I want to gain more exposure for the role of the concierge and, at the same time, increase my industry contacts as a modern-day influencer.

 

Can you tell us a bit more about your Instagram project?

 

When people that are not associated with the hotel industry ask me what I do for a living, my answer mostly brings slight confusion. Most of the time their understanding of my role is rather basic.

 

Ask Your Concierge is an answer to that question. Through it, I'm trying to highlight how concierges can be a vital help for travellers and tourists. I share photographs of some of the restaurants, landmarks, pubs, bars and attractions that I recommend to my guests, and encourage my audience to ask their own concierge for more tips.

 

Concierges can provide anything from tips on the best local chippy to tracking down a rare Indian tea blend, an overnight tailoring service, a walking tour of Shoreditch or a place to buy an 1840 Penny Black postage stamp.

 

Why Instagram?

 

The profile is particularly useful as it reaches the younger, millennial hotel guest, and informs them that no request is too big or too small for their concierge.