Editing Concierge (section)

==Duties and functions==
{{Unreferenced|section|date= February 2022}}

=== In history ===
In medieval times, the concierge was an officer of the king who was charged with executing justice, with the help of his [[bailiff]]s.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} Initially working as a [[Doorman (profession)|porter]] of a castle, under [[Hugh Capet]] up to [[Louis XI]], the term was transferred to a high official of the kingdom and - after the castles had lost their defensive function and served as prisons - also to prison guards, appointed by the king to maintain order and oversee the police and prisoner records.

=== In apartment or office buildings ===
The concierge serves inhabitants and guests of an apartment or office building with duties similar to those of a [[receptionist]]. The position can also be maintained by a [[security guard]] over the [[shift work|late night shift]].

In 19th-century and early 20th-century apartment buildings, particularly in [[Paris]], the concierge was known as a "Suisse", as the post was often filled by Swiss people. They often had a small apartment on the ground floor, called ''loge'', and were able to monitor all comings and goings. However, such settings are now extremely rare; most concierges in small or middle-sized buildings have been replaced by the part-time services of [[doorman (profession)|door-staff]]. Some larger apartment buildings or groups of buildings retain the use of concierges. The concierge may, for instance, keep the mail of absented dwellers, be entrusted with the apartment keys to deal with emergencies when residents are absent,<ref name="MW def" /> provide information to residents and guests, provide access control, enforce rules, and act as a go-between for residents and management when management is not on-site.

=== In hotels ===
[[File:Two_crossed_black_keys_-_Coat_of_Arms_of_Riga.svg|thumb|150px|The usual sign for a hotel concierge: Two crossed keys.]]A hotel concierge is mainly employed in the [[luxury hotel]] industry and is often located near the [[reception desk]] with their own counter. While the receptionist deals with [[check-in]], check-out and other hotel-related matters in the narrower sense, the concierge is available to guests as a contact person for other inquiries, such as advice and bookings for excursions, transfers and restaurants. They often have special contacts, acting as a “door opener”. They are at the service of guests who usually have the highest expectations and with whom they sometimes build up a close relationship, especially with regular guests.

The international professional association of hotel concierges is the ''Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hotels'' with the distinctive mark ''Les Clefs d'Or'', a kind of insignia in the form of two gold-plated keys crossed over each other, which the concierge wears on his lapel. The association has 4,500 members from 34 countries (2007). Candidates for membership must have reached a minimum age, speak two foreign languages or more, have at least five years of “hall service” in a luxury hotel and provide a recommendation from at least two people.<ref>siehe Weblink Studyrama</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2010-01-10 |language=de |publisher=Clefs d'Or |title=Clefs d'Or - Die Vereinigung |url=https://www.lesclefsdor.ch/de/die-vereinigung}}<!-- auto-translated from German by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

=== In hospitals ===

{{About|hospital settings|physicians providing service on a retainer basis|Concierge medicine}}

In hospitals, concierge services are becoming increasingly available.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Livingston |first1=Shelby |date=18 October 2017 |title=Concierge care taking hold at some large, urban hospitals |url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20171021/NEWS/171019863/concierge-care-taking-hold-at-some-large-urban-hospitals |access-date=8 March 2020 |website=Modern Healthcare}}</ref> A hospital concierge provides similar services to those of a hotel concierge, but serves patients and employees as well. This helps hospital employees who work long shifts and helps to provide work–life balance.{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}}

=== Personal concierge ===
A modern concierge may also serve as a lifestyle manager, like a [[secretary]] or a [[personal assistant]].<ref name="MW def">{{cite web |title=Concierge |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concierge#h1 |publisher=Mierriam Webster |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>

There are numerous independent ''personal concierge'' companies that provide errand services and information services for their members. Services include informational requests, setting dinner reservations, making telephone calls, researching travel arrangements and more. Typically, concierge companies will bill on an hourly rate, and depending upon the type of task, fees can vary drastically. Other companies bill a flat monthly fee based upon the number of requests a member is allowed to place each month. In the United Kingdom, since the year 2000 and as of 2010, concierge has become a key marketing and loyalty tool in the banking sector and offered as a benefit on luxury [[credit card]]s. This service offering is also known as lifestyle management. Concierges also entertain their clients.

Additionally, concierge services are now frequently offered as a service by financial institutions to their most valuable clients as way of retaining and attracting clients. Lifestyle and travel concierge companies  often offer their service as a white-label or semi-branded product on a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) basis.  Banks who currently offer concierge services to clients include [[Coutts]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manager/news/coutts-launches-concierge-service-for-ultra-rich/a831701|title=Coutts launches concierge service for ultra-rich|work=Wealth Manager|access-date=2019-08-16|language=en}}</ref> [[China Merchants Bank]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bulletin/ten-lifestyle-scores-three-year-contract-with-china-merchants-bank--6712004.html|title=Ten Lifestyle scores three-year contract with China Merchants Bank|website=BOLSAMANIA|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref> [[Royal Bank of Canada|RBC]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/LON:TENG/Ten-Lifestyle-Group/rns/LSE20190128070005_13947924|title=Proactive Investors Limited - Leading source of Financial News, Investor Forums, CEO Interviews, Financial Columnists, Stock Information - Companies|website=Proactiveinvestors UK|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref> and [[HSBC]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fmp-tv.co.uk/2018/03/15/ten-lifestyle-group-wins-first-contract-with-hsbc/|title=Ten Lifestyle Group Wins First Contract with HSBC, an investors update|date=2018-03-15|website=Five Minute Pitch TV|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref>

Airport concierge services help travellers make it through security, customs, and immigration faster, and provide lounge access.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/blacklane-acquires-solve-to-add-airport-concierge-services-worldwide|title=Blacklane acquires Solve to add airport concierge services worldwide|work=TravelDailyNews International|access-date=2017-11-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/tav-operation-services-launches-meet-assist-service-at-santiago-international-airport/|title=TAV Operation Services launches 'meet & assist' service at Santiago International Airport - The Moodie Davitt Report|date=2017-10-23|work=The Moodie Davitt Report|access-date=2017-11-09|language=en-GB}}</ref>

The owners and operators of concierge, lifestyle management, and errand service businesses are supported and advocated by the non-profit International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association (ICLMA) and the National Concierge Association.