LONDON CREATIVE: Theo Dubroy

We caught up with Theo Dubroy, Head Concierge at The Arch London, in this weeks Creative London. 

1. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR DAY TO DAY IS LIKE AT THE ARCH LONDON? 

Working as a concierge in a five-star hotel I find every single day is different. When the hotel is busy with many leisure guests my day is about planning their holiday activities such as theatre tickets, museum entries and exhibitions. When we have business guests, it’s more about organising their schedules to get to their meetings, car services, lunch and dinner bookings and maybe the odd football or concert ticket if they have some free time. On weekends it usually about arranging tables for our guests in the best restaurants and hottest clubs of the moment.

2. ANY ADVICE FOR NEW CONCIERGES TO ACCOMPLISH A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS YOURSELF? 

I think a thirst for knowledge is one of the best skills of a concierge. A good concierge needs to be constantly updating their knowledge on the ever changing social scenes of London, including the latest restaurants, bars, clubs and exhibitions. They need to know what’s hot and what’s not! I also highly recommend becoming an active member of The Society of Golden Keys which is an elite concierge organisation of 3,000 members worldwide in four and five star hotels. The exchange of knowledge between concierges in this association can be invaluable especially when our guests are travelling to different countries and we can pass them onto our colleagues’ who are experts in that city.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE RECOMMENDATIONS YOU GIVE TO GUESTS IN REGARDS TO HAVING A GOOD TINE IN LONDON? 

I always say if you can explore London by walking do it as much as possible as you can see so many things and the distances are not as far as they seem. It’s much better than being underground or stuck in traffic. I also recommend that guests check out all the wonderful street markets London has to offer, such as Portobello, Camden and Borough markets which are all fascinating and give guests a great look into the London lifestyle.  A bit further east takes you to Spitalfields, Columbia Rd Flower Market and Broadway Market in London Fields. These lesser known markets show guests a less touristic side of London that they would normally never see.

Finally I tell our guests to visit the canal system to do some canal walks, and visit the canal museum. The canal walks are an interesting way to see a different side of London. A walk along the Regents Canal will allow guests to take in many London parks, markets and wildlife – it is definitely a walk with a difference. You can start the journey in Angel, Islington and make your way to Kings Cross, Camden and then past the London Zoo and onto little Venice.

4. ANY NEW EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING AT THE ARCH LONDON IN THE NEAR FUTURE? 

At The Arch we are getting ready for Christmas.  We have the annual Winter Wonderland starting on 18 November at Hyde Park which is a five minute walk from us. We are also doing a wonderful Royal Afternoon Tea in our restaurant Hunter 486 and Martini Library.

5. BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN? 

Always show patience and discretion when dealing with guests. Also to be dedicated, as you need to spend many hours researching what your city has to offer.

6. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON TO HANG OUT IN? 

I love hanging out in the east end, walking along the canals to Victoria Park and checking out the ever changing Shoreditch/ Dalston music scene.

The Arch London – www.thearchlondon.com