Canonical URL: https://londonresidency.com/concierge-service/

# London apartment concierge services: bookings and guest support

A concierge can coordinate the practical parts of a London visit: tickets, transport, reservations and introductions to service providers. Building teams and separate lifestyle services have different remits, and neither can guarantee a sold-out table.

## Organising reservations and transport

Give several restaurant preferences and a range of times. That gives the concierge more room to find a suitable booking or cancellation.

For lunch followed by a matinee, the useful brief includes the theatre, curtain time, walking distance and seats you will accept. The meal needs to fit the show as well as the budget.

Tickets should come through the box office or an authorised agent or resale channel. The concierge should identify the source and charges.

An hourly car booking may work for several meetings with waiting between them. Compare the full quote, including parking, waiting time and any road charges, with the needs of the day.

## Childcare introductions, shopping and fees

For childcare introductions, ask who has checked references, training and insurance. The provider should explain the person's registration status and suitability for the care requested.

Department stores including Selfridges have their own personal-shopping teams. A concierge can arrange appointments or coordinate a time-sensitive gift delivery with a florist or wine merchant.

Membership, hourly and bank-account concierge services have different charging models. Compare their current fees and scope, including any service already supplied by your bank, and allow separately for tickets, meals and cars.

## Writing a useful brief

A written brief helps turn a general request into something the concierge can organise. Include the outcome, timing, budget and any firm limits.

- Dates, times and how flexible each one is

- Party size, with children's ages

- A budget ceiling per item, and whether that includes service and booking fees

- Allergies and dietary rules, stated plainly

- What's non-negotiable and what's a nice-to-have

- Where you're staying, so they can judge travel times

- How you want to be contacted, and when not to be

Start with the residence's team for local information, taxis or parcels. More extensive planning may need a separate service and more lead time.

## Understanding the building’s staff cover

Concierge service can mean a staffed desk, a daytime team or remote assistance.

Find out whether someone is physically present overnight. Some desks close in the evening and switch to a telephone service, which changes late-arrival arrangements.

If entrance security matters, look at the visitor process and any CCTV provision. A staffed lobby is one element of the arrangement.

Agree a late-arrival procedure and a number to call if the flight changes. Remote access may use codes or key safes; lost-key callouts can have a charge.

Parcel acceptance is especially useful during a long stay. Ask whether staff can hold groceries and dry cleaning, including chilled deliveries.

The desk may arrange a taxi or airport car. London minicabs require advance booking, and a quoted fare should state what is included.

A building team can often help with local bookings and maintenance reports. Its scope differs from a separate lifestyle concierge, and cleaning still follows the residence's stated schedule.

Get those service details in writing alongside the apartment quotation.

- Is the front desk staffed 24 hours, and if not, what are its hours?

- Who answers the out-of-hours number, and how quickly can they be on site?

- How does a guest get in if they arrive after midnight?

- Will you sign for parcels and grocery deliveries on a guest's behalf?

- Can you book taxis, airport cars and restaurant tables?

- How are faults reported, and what's the usual response time?

- Is there a charge for a replacement key?

## More guides

- [Living in a London serviced apartment for three months or longer](https://londonresidency.com/can-you-live-in-a-serviced-apartment/)

- [Corporate apartments in London: locations, costs and booking terms](https://londonresidency.com/corporate-stay/)

- [Temporary accommodation when moving to London](https://londonresidency.com/moving-to-london-temporary-accommodation/)

- [London accommodation during a home renovation](https://londonresidency.com/temporary-accommodation-london-renovation/)