Two Concierge Views

I felt a screaming need to respond to your Travel Insider column (“Concierges Offer Priceless Help at Negligible Cost,” Sept. 26).

I am a concierge in the Palm Springs area in one of the most prestigious resorts in the desert. The lead concierge at our hotel is knowledgeable and hard-working.

The problem I have with your article goes to the pay scale. The base salary would be more like $7.35 an hour to start and, maybe after several years, escalating to a whopping $10 to $12 an hour. I have no knowledge of any concierge in the Coachella Valley making $40,000 to $50,000 year.

I would like to think your article will serve as a wake-up call to the hotel industry to reevaluate the contributions of concierges and adjust their pay scales accordingly.

MADELEINE DESJARDINS

Palm Desert

As a hotel concierge and a member of Les Clefs d’Or, I thank you for your article. I can attest to the fact that we are getting busier as guests realize the value of our services.

Any education you can give your readers about our service is greatly appreciated, including the tip to see us in the midafternoon instead of waiting until 6:30 p.m. on a Saturday night to book a table at the hottest restaurant in town.

CONNIE BARTLETT

Portland, Ore.