What Does a Concierge do?

Beyond offering guests a friendly greeting and tips on the area, a concierge follows ancient tradition by aiming to fulfill any guest requests that are legally, ethically and morally feasible.

The word "concierge" is derived form the French term "comte des cierges" meaning "keeper of the candles." Keepers were required to stay abreast on all the events going on in the palace and maintain candles for them. As the years progressed, the person occupying this role was the gatekeeper, or keeper of the key, responsible for greeting guests and attending to their needs.

At the beginning of the 20th century, European hotels employed concierges to keep track of their guests' needs. They began meeting and networking in order to improve their services and eventually developed Les Clefs d’Or, the international association of professional hotel concierges.

As a member of Les Clefs d'Or, I wear a gold key on my lapel. The gold key signifies that the wearer is a professionally trained concierge who has built up the skills and contacts to open doors for guests throughout the city.

Not all concierges are members of Les Clefs d’Or. We must obtain five years experience as concierges, acquire sponsors, and pass rigorous testing. I am the only Les Clefs d’Or concierge in the Radisson chain in the U.S. But don’t worry... I'll still let you in on where you can find the best hot dog in Chicago!

Suites for Sweethearts

Doesn't Valentine’s Day in Chicago makes you feel warm all over? Maybe not, since the temperature isn't even in the double digits, but if you stay at the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites with the one you love, you're guaranteed to defrost.

Imagine getting dolled up in one of the overstuffed suites at the Radisson and then exiting the hotel into a horse-drawn carriage. As you ride through the streets viewing city lights, you might begin to think you are in Paris….if not for the 'Go Bears!' Signs left over from football season.

Have your carriage drop you off at one of my favorite restaurants. Volare offers scrumptious Italian food. Rosebud Steakhouse is one of the best steakhouses in the city. Pane Caldo serves northern Italian food at it’s finest and boasts a superb wine list. Le Colonial offers it’s wonderful food in a great atmosphere.

If you stay on Satuday, you can view breathtaking fireworks along the Chicago River.

After the fireworks, work off the meal by going out dancing on Rush Street. If you're over 30, check out Syn, go to Level if you're under 30 or pary at Le Passage if age doesn't matter.

Feel like a little live music? The Back Room has jazz and blues, but if you brought your own musical instrument, head over to Andy’s on Hubbard for a bit of a jazz session.

Make sure you pace yourself because many of the bars and clubs are open until 5:00 am on Sunday mornings. When you've finished paryting, return to the Radisson for chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries and get some much needed rest.

On Sunday, get those juices flowing at Rockit, my favorite place for brunch. Great Bloody Marys!

Then buy your Valentine a present outside on Michicagn Avenue or go to Bucktown/Wicker Park for unique shopping at stores like Apartment No. 9, Akira and City Soles.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chicago River Goes Green on St. Patrick's Day

Due to Chicago's thriving Irish-American community, tourists always enjoy spending St. Patrick's Day in a city that celebrates the holiday with bagpipes, stepdancing and the crowning of "Chicago's Fairest Colleen." However, the most compelling reason to come to Chicago and stay at the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites on March 17 is to see the Chicago River turn Emerald Green due to the magic of a closely guarded secret forumula.

On March 16, come to the Radisson Chicago Hotel and Suites and you can get an early start at celebrating the holiday at nearby pubs restaurants and still get up in time to witness the transformation of the Chicago River. At 10:45 in the morning on March 17, crowds will gather at the upper bridges at Michigan Avenue or Columbus Drive and watch as the River Dyeing Crew unleashes an orange dye into the water which turns the water bright green.

Legend has at that this tradition began over 40 years ago when Stephen Bailey, Business Manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union, was making plans for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and noticed a plumber whose clothing was splotched with fluorescent green spots. Upon hearing that the plumber had been using the dye to detect waste leaks in the Chicago River, Bailey had the idea of turning the whole river green for St. Patrick’s Day.

The first time that the transformation took place, in 1962, over 100 pounds of were used and the Chicago River stayed green for a week. Over the years the formula was down and it was found that 25 pounds of dye would keep the Chicago River for one day.

In 1966, the chemical dye used to color the waters was changed to a vegetable based dye at the request of environmenalits. About 40 pounds of this dye is used to keep the river green for the day.

Chicago claims to be the only city that has the capability of changing its waters green. After you've witnessed this St. Patrick's Day miracle, watch the parade at noon, then come back to the Chicago Hotel and Suites and have some 'bangers in blankets' or 'Guinness Irish Stew' at Elephant and Castle Pub, located in the hotel.