June 26, 2014 
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In This Week's Issue:
Alejandro Noya

Concierge's Tips - Buenos Aires

From the Alvear Palace's Chief of Golden Keys 

 

Part 1 of 2

By Mark Holston
 

In his book "Across the River and into the Trees," Ernest Hemingway wrote: "The concierge was light, fast, sharp-faced, intelligent and polite, always, without subservience. He wore the crossed keys of his office on the lapels of his blue uniform without ostentation... He was the concierge..."

 

It is that high standard of professionalism that has guided the Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hoteles -- also known as the Les Clefs d'Or, or "The Golden Keys" -- since its founding France in 1952. Argentina was accepted in 2008 as the organization's 40th member. Mexico and Brazil are the two other members in Latin America, while Chile is represented by Argentina.

 

Alejandro Noya wears the golden keys of his profession with justifiable pride. As the head concierge of Buenos Aires' legendary Alvear Palace, one of the continent's elite hotels, his career has spanned 28 years. He began as a bellman before graduating to the reception desk and eventually to the concierge staff. Today, he also serves as the hotel's weekend manager-on-duty. Like all of the members of his team, he speaks Spanish, Portuguese and English. Many are also fluent in French, Italian, German and other languages.

 

"Everyday, we get different questions," he says. "The most common one is when a guest approaches the concierge station with a city map in-hand, asking us to point out the hotel's location. But we often get more difficult questions, and what I always tell my team is that a concierge can never just say 'no.' Even if you don't know the answer, take your time, do the research and get back to the guest with the correct answer."

 

Security and Transportation Issues

"At the moment, Buenos Aires is not a very dangerous city," Noya says. "The only people who ask for bodyguards are Russians," he adds, commenting that today more of the hotel's guests are in Argentina for leisure than for business. As a matter of routine, if asked, the concierge staff advises guests not to leave the hotel flaunting expensive watches or big cameras. "And," Noya adds, "we always tell people to try to pay for taxi rides with exact change, rather than using large bills. Sometimes, they will not get the proper change in return."

 

Buenos Aires

Regarding transportation around the city, Noya and his staff can offer guests a number of options, from private cars of the hotel, the most expensive choice, to recommended taxis, where fixed prices can be negotiated.

 

Places for a Perfect Business Lunch and Cocktail

Other than the Alvear Palace's many in-house options, Noya recommends Tomo Uno, a cocina autor (signature chef) eatery located in the Panamericano Hotel in the city center. "It's a very quiet place with good international fare," he says. He also likes La Brigada in the historic neighborhood of San Telmo. "It's a great steakhouse with thousands of bottles of exceptional wine in their cellar," he says. "Their special steak can be cut with a spoon. If it's required, we can ask Hugo, the owner, to provide a separate room for our guests."

 

When it comes to Happy Hour, cocktails are becoming quite popular in this bastion of wine lovers. "Today, many hotel bars are striving to serve interesting cocktails," Noya says. "One that I suggest is the Pony Line Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel. Two others are the Library Lounge of the Faena Hotel and Isabel, a bar and restaurant in the Palermo neighborhood." 

 

Next month, LBT will share Alejandro Noya's tips for sightseeing, shopping and getting the most for your money in Argentina. 

 

What has been your experience while in Buenos Aires? Click to share your comments.

 

Alejandro Noya by Mark Holston; Buenos Aires by blmurch
News from our Partners
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  Delta

Delta launches non-stop service between Seattle and Hong Kong: Delta hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport gets fifth new international destination of the past year

 

Delta's new BusinessElite is in the air between New York-JFK and Los Angeles: Updated Boeing 757-200 aircraft now offer full flat-bed seats; all Delta flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle will have flat-bed seats by summer 2015
Travel News

Security and Safety Updates

World Cup fan clashes on the streets of Belo Horizonte, Brazil have brought out an increased police presence. Travelers are encouraged to stay alert and follow guidance from local authorities.

 

New Airline Routes and Route Changes

South America

American Airlines is the latest airline to reduce flights to Venezuela from the current 48 to 10 (all departing from Miami), beginning July 2. The cuts come as a result of a revenue dispute with the Venezuelan government. Air Canada and Ailitalia have suspended flights to the country, and other international airlines have also suspended or cut service.

 

Mexico

Aeromexico will add more than 100 domestic and international flights per week to its connectivity network for the summer season. Destinations include Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Miami and Orlando.

 

Royal Air Maroc

International Connections

United Airlines will begin the first nonstop service from the U.S. to mainland China outside of Beijing and Shanghai with three weekly flights from San Francisco to Chengdu.

 

Dynamic Airways will offer four nonstop flights per week from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Georgetown, Guyana, beginning June 26.

 

Royal Air Maroc will reduce weekly flights between Casablanca and São Paulo from three to two, canceling Wednesday service from August 1 to September 11.

 

Royal Jordanian has increased service between New York-JFK and Amman, Jordan, with six weekly flights through July 31.

 

Other Airline News

The U.S. Congress approved an increase in Transportation Security Administration fees on passenger airline tickets, bringing the charges up to US$5.60 each way.

 

LAN Airlines is facing a possible strike by 70% of its Lima-based LAN Peru mechanics beginning June 26. The strike, by mechanics maintaining planes for both LAN and TAM airlines, is expected to affect operations across all of Latin America.

 

Virgin America will offer faster Wi-Fi service on all flights beginning in fall 2014.

 

As of July 28, Turkish Airlines will service its daily Istantbul Ataturk - Sao Paulo - Buenos Aires route with a Boeing 777-300ER, replacing the Airbus A340-300. 

 

China Eastern plans to begin codeshare service with Virgin America on 17 Virgin-operated routes.

Los Angeles International Airport

 

Airport News

Air Canada moved into the new Terminal 2 at Heathrow, joining United Airlines, Air China and ANA.

 

Los Angles International Airport launched LAXishappening.com to keep travelers informed of airport upgrades, restaurant and shop openings, tips and traffic information, particularly during the disruptive construction currently going on at the airport.

 

Loyalty Program News

Travelers can earn double airline miles and an up to 25 percent discount for stays at participating Fairmont hotels through September 30. Miles are available via several airline programs, including AAdvantage, Aeroplan, United MileagePlus and Emirates.

 

Club Carlson members can earn double points for qualifying stays at Radisson hotels in the Caribbean.

 

Hotel News

The Hilton Cabana Miami Beach opened in Miami (Florida, U.S.) at Collins and 62nd Street, with 231 new rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and large work desks with ergonomic chairs. It also features a semi-private beach, two pools, business center and three event spaces.

 

Intercontinental Hotels Group opened the 94-room Holiday Inn Express Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary breakfast bar, business center and complimentary high-speed Internet access.

 

SLS Hotels signed an agreement with Baha Mar gaming resort in the Bahamas to manage the resort's 300-room luxury hotel and residences. It will be SLS's first international venture.

 

The beachfront Sheraton Rio Hotel and Resort in Rio de Janeiro completed the first phase of its $50 million renovation. Included in this phase are a new lobby, spa, fitness center and  fine-dining restaurant.

 

The 730-room Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, Jamaica will close for renovations September 1. New owner Palace Resorts plans to reopen the resort as the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande early next year.

 

Travel Services

White Mountains Insurance Group entered into a joint venture with DavidShield to offer worldwide travel insurance based on the PassportCard platform. The platform allows customers to access worldwide health care and other insurance coverage through a renewable debit card.

 

The Prime Fraction Club added an eight-seat Embraer Phenom 300 to its lineup of jets for rental. The Brazil-based club allows member to share luxury goods such as planes, helicopters, boats and sports cars.

 

Royal Air Maroc by abdallahh; Los Angeles International Airport by sfxeric
 
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