Hotel concierge says there is one thing travellers often get wrong
Updated . First published
As a luxury hotel concierge, Colin Toomey, is a travel expert. He's been Chief Concierge at Shangri-La Sydney since 1995.
While his job is to advise guests, helping them plan activities and even secure sold-out tickets or bookings at the hottest restaurants, he has also become an expert in navigating hotels.
And he sees one mistake guests making all the time.
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Asian businesswoman opening her hotel room door with a keycard after checking. Getty
Not spending long enough in a destination, thinking they can see it all in a couple of days.
"'I wish we had planned a couple of extra days here' is a common refrain from many of our departing guests," he tells 9Travel.
"If you can devote a little extra time, it would be a wise investment, and one that you're bound to appreciate when reflecting back on your travels."
Meanwhile the age-old question of how to get a better room is also one he has an opinion on.
While taking obvious steps like using a hotel's loyalty program helps, there are also a couple of other simple ways you can improve your chances or securing that prized view or bigger room.
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Chief Concierge, Colin Toomey, who has held the role at Shangri-La Sydney since 1995. Supplied
"Mentioning a special occasion that you might be celebrating, a birthday, anniversary, etc is also a good idea," he says.
"Just be pleasant to the person who is checking you in. A friendly smile for the front desk agent might make all the difference."
Meanwhile, one place he's sending guests in Sydney has just been named one of the best in the world.
Prestigious US magazine TIME has released its annual list of the World's Greatest Places, listing 100 extraordinary destinations to visit this year.
The new Sydney Fish Market, which opened in January, is on it.
"Apart from some great new restaurants, there are guided tours and an exciting array of cooking classes available throughout the day. It is so much more than just a retail space these days and well worth a visit," he says.
The new Sydney Fish Market, which opened in January Supplied/ Sydney Fish Market
However, he says sometimes the "simplest experiences are the best."
"A quick ferry trip over to Manly, a kayak paddle in Manly Cove, a stroll down the Steyne followed by a leisurely lunch by the water. It's an inexpensive, no-fuss outing that perfectly captures our laid-back lifestyle," Colin says.
The most common questions he deals with? 'Where can I see a kangaroo and a koala?'
"We direct most of our guests to Taronga Zoo," he says.
As for the most unusual requests he has dealt with over the years, they are varied.
"Over the years I've arranged a room service delivery to a small village in Thailand, co-ordinated a fleet of horse drawn carriages on our driveway for a wedding party and booked a private sit down lunch on Cockatoo Island for a Mexican honeymoon couple complete with mariachi band," he tells us.
