The requests of some of our guests are unique, but whatever they want, we are here to support them says ROSH chief concierge, Somkiat Laiklang.
by Earth Saiswang.
A honeymooning couple decided to visit Thailand for the last leg of their trip. After checking-in at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers (ROSH), the couple realized that they had forgotten their camera in the taxi. It’s not really about the camera they were concerned about; it’s the memories the camera contained. The couple had taken lots of pictures with it to remind them of their honeymoon, and suddenly it seemed that they had lost them all. So, what should they do? Worry not: Somkiat Laiklang came to the rescue.
Somkiat, chief concierge at ROSH, did everything he could to find the taxi again. It was not easy but to make the long story short, the camera was returned with all the photos in it intact. That made Somkiat, in the couple’s eyes, a “hero.” Before they checked out, the couple gave Somkiat a card and a book contained a coin with the image of Wilhelm Tell, the couple’s national hero, as a token of gratitude. They told Somkiat that for what he went through to get their camera back, “he was now their national hero.” To which Somkiat retorted: “It’s a reward that’s more valuable, more lasting than something monetary.”
Born August 8 1962 in Bangkok, Somkiat has been with ROSH for 30 years. He started as a bellboy and slowly climbed up to his present position. Now 53, Somkiat still enjoys his job to the hilt. “I love helping people,” he says simply. “It makes me happy when a guest returns after his or her trip with a big smile. It encourages me to do my job the best that I can.”
A great concierge is one who provides service that exceeds all expectations, says Somkiat. He or she makes every stay memorable for the guest. “We understand that many of our guests are far away from home and not familiar with the city,” he says.
“We try to make them feel at home as much as possible and assist them in any way, so they have a comfortable and pleasant stay. Sometimes our guests want to do something special, to create a surprising or unforgettable moment. Their requests are unique and we do our best to help them in the best way we can. Whatever they want, we are here to support them and make the impossible possible.” The tips he gives to ROSH guests give us a clue on how he does that:
Where to go for the best Thai restaurant: I always ask the preferences of each guest first. For Thai food, I recommend Blue Elephant Restaurant or Baan Khanitha. I also recommend Thara Thong Restaurant, which is on the first floor of ROSH, as guests can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and a traditional Thai dance performance here at the same time.
Where to bring your friends to chill-out: The Groove at Central World. You can walk around and choose from a large variety of restaurants with a city view. For those celebrating a special occasion, I would say head to the Sky Bar at Lebua.
Where to go for shopping: If time were limited, I would say MBK and Siam Paragon. If they have more time and are staying during a weekend, I would recommend JJ Market.
What’s the easiest way to get back and forth to the hotel: With the ROSH shuttle boat service, which goes every 30 minutes from the hotel pier to Saphan Taksin Pier.
How to avoid pimps, hecklers, and scammers: Be cautious and kindly refuse if you meet them. A simple smile goes a long way in “The Land of Smiles.”
Best way to enjoy your holiday: Just be yourself!
