Theme Song – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, Diana Ross
You know, even the most pampered cat, with a lifetime supply of gourmet tuna and a personal masseuse, still thinks it deserves more. And honestly, if I’m shelling out $2,800 a night for a posh overwater suite at a private island resort, I expect my stay to be nothing short of celestial!
Now, let’s talk about the term “butler service.” It sounds like something you might see on Downton Abbey. It’s a bit stuffy for my taste, but the idea behind it? Timeless! Who doesn’t love a little pampering every now and then?
Our Situation
At Nayara Bocas Del Toro, we’re about to unveil our first premium overwater suite, complete with a 24-foot indoor/outdoor lap pool. Yes, you read that right—24 feet! When you’re paying $2,800 a night, we aim to provide the most stellar “butler” service on the planet—though we might call it something a bit more fun. Any ideas? “Personal Concierge Extraordinaire,” perhaps?
What Does a Personal Concierge Do?
So, what’s a Personal Concierge, you ask? Well, an AI search tells me it’s a fancy way of saying someone who manages arrivals and departures, handles luggage, makes reservations, and fulfills those special requests. They’re like the Swiss Army knife of hospitality—stocking your room with your favorite snacks, serving meals, and even drawing baths! (Just don’t expect them to join you in the tub. That’s a whole different service!)
My Experience
Let me share a couple of experiences that shaped my vision for our Personal Concierge service. Picture this: I’m at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California, sipping a glass of red wine like a sophisticated adult. A lovely waitress offers me complimentary snacks, which happen to include Wasabi green peas. I rave about them, and lo and behold, 15 minutes later, she returns with a whole can! I mean, who knew that wasabi peas could become the highlight of my trip? I’m still talking about it two decades later—meanwhile, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast!
Fast forward to a fishing trip with my buddies at El Castillo, a hotel I own in Ojochal, Costa Rica. They were lamenting the lack of cigars on the deck. Little did they know, our former GM of El Castillo, Scott Dinsmore (and current GM of Nayara Bocas del Toro), just happened to be within hearing distance. Twenty minutes later, Scott showed up with Costa Rican cigars, saying, “Give these a whirl; I hear they’re pretty good.” My friends were thrilled, and it wasn’t until the next day that they realized Scott had sent someone to the store to fetch those cigars. Now that’s what I call service!
The Framework for Our Personal Concierge Service
To create our Personal Concierge service, we need to ensure every guest enjoys at least one “Wasabi green pea” or “Costa Rican cigar” moment during their stay. And we want our website to hint at the magic without revealing all our tricks—because who doesn’t love a good surprise?
Think of hospitality as a movie—full of emotions like excitement, anticipation, and joy. We want to create a script for our Personal Concierge service that’s both authentic and personal.
Planning and Interaction
At Nayara Bocas, we’re considering having a dedicated Personal Concierge available 24/7 for each couple. Yes, you heard that right! Imagine having someone solely focused on your every whim. Before guests even arrive, our concierge will assist with all of the planning to make the travel logistics seamless. They will get to know their preferences, interests, travel goals—you name it! Once all the planning is done, the concierge will check in from time to time to see if there’s anything else we can do.
Arrival Day
On the day of their international arrival at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, our guests enjoy a seamless VIP Meet and Assist service. They bypass customs lines, have their luggage collected for them, and are swiftly transferred to a regional airport for a 50-minute flight to Bocas Town. Upon arrival, they are welcomed by our concierge and escorted to our nearby dock just five minutes away. There, a private boat awaits—stocked with champagne and ready to begin a scenic, guided 20-minute journey to our resort.
Upon arrival at Nayara Bocas, guests will be treated to a refreshing towel and a welcome drink. Then, they’ll be shown to their suite, where the concierge will explain how everything works.
Guest Orientation
During orientation, the concierge will discuss how best to serve guests. Coffee or tea in bed? Check! A specific time for housekeeping? Check! And of course, they’ll cover how to communicate—text or call.
Service Execution
Throughout the stay, our Personal Concierge will anticipate needs and provide the best possible service without being overbearing. Think of them as your personal hospitality superhero—always ready to swoop in and save the day!
Imagine lounging by the pool, sipping a cocktail, when suddenly a familiar face appears, holding a tray of freshly made piña coladas and a surprise dessert that could make even the grumpiest guest crack a smile. Seriously, who doesn’t want to be surprised with chocolate lava cake?
Our service offerings could include anything from unpacking and repacking your luggage (because who wants to deal with that?) to laundering and pressing your clothes. We’ll also handle spa appointments, create personalized cocktail parties in your suite, and deliver surprise desserts with ice cream. Because let’s be honest: ice cream is the answer to almost every problem!
Success in the Details
Our success will be measured by your happiness. If we earn anything less than an eleven on a scale of one to ten, we’ll consider it a flop. Think of us as the cheerleaders of your vacation, ready to make your stay as fabulous as possible!
Reader Input: Your Turn to Shine!
What do you think is the most important aspect of a butler service? Got any wild ideas for us to elevate our service to legendary levels?
Maybe you think we should offer a “make your own s’mores” kit at the beach or a “sing along with the concierge” karaoke night?
Your input could help us create the most epic concierge experience in the world! So, go ahead and share your thoughts in the comments below! Let’s make some magic happen together, one “Wasabi green pea” moment at a time.