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29 June, 2023
Introducing Cemone and Jessica, the Concierges at The Silo Hotel
The Silo Hotel
Cape Town secrets at their fingertips - and yours
Being a Concierge at The Silo Hotel is all about ensuring that every guest gets to enjoy the complete experience and the perfect stay. In other words, it’s about adding those little personal touches and solving the occasional problem – or meeting an unusual request. Given that their roles involve going the extra mile, we wanted to know all about the journeys that brought Jessica and Cemone into this challenging yet rewarding career.
Both Jessica and Cemone describe themselves as social beings and people’s people, so you might think the front desk was where they would automatically end up. That wasn’t quite the case, however – after hotel school (for Jessica) and a childhood spent visiting hotels with her family (Cemone), they both started off in other roles before finding their natural habitat.
Pictured: The Silo Hotel Reception
Gratitude is a winning attitude
Both Jessica and Cemone clearly love what they do, and say that it’s the gratitude of guests that makes all the work worthwhile – those moments when a guest says a simple thank you for a restaurant recommendation or reservation, or for making the impossible possible.
If they had one piece of advice to share, both would tell you that the ability to anticipate – to read and understand each guest – is vital. In this way, they can curate bespoke experiences that take the guests’ stays to an entirely new level.
Pictured: Jessica Pohl
Hidden gems
Of course, being a Concierge also involves knowing secrets about your city – in this case, the Mother City, Cape Town! These can be viewpoints, bars, or rooftops, and both Jessica and Cemone have a veritable treasure trove of hidden gems.
So, ladies, if we asked you nicely, would you share just one of your secrets with us? Please? It seems we did indeed ask nicely enough, because Cemone revealed that some of the best sunsets in the Cape can be watched from Melkbosstrand beyond Bloubergstrand, while for more heavenly delights, the craft beer at Noordhoek’s Aegir Project Brewery apparently tastes like clouds on your tongue! Jessica, in contrast, whispered that we should head inland and investigate the similarly divine Durbanville Wine Route.
As for staying in the loop with all the latest happenings and openings in one of Africa’s vibiest cities, both of the Concierges at The Silo Hotel tap into their social media networks, while Cemone also adds to her knowledge by being a tourist in her own city.
Pictured: Table Mountain
Unusual requests
It seems that these ladies can take pretty much any requirement a guest may spring on them – from sourcing a brand of shampoo that’s only available in Germany, to persuading (with the help of our Group Sommelier, Wayve Kolevsohn ) winemakers to take time out from the harvest to meet with an oenophile guest and ensure that their trip was one to remember.
These of course are just some of the more memorable guest requests that Jessica and Cemone have successfully dealt with. When it comes to setting The Silo Hotel apart from other luxury accommodation options in Cape Town, both of them believe that the secret is the people skills need to build relationships with guests and suppliers, and the genuineness with which they are simply themselves, every moment of every day.
Pictured: Cemone Harrod
Memorable moments
Being a Concierge at The Silo Hotel means that you build up a significant store of knowledge and memories. You also sometimes receive tangible reminders of the service you’ve been able to render to guests. For Jessica, these mementoes include a small bottle of genuine Irish whiskey from one gentleman, and a unique honeypot necklace from the family of an elderly lady who had slipped and broken her arm, and who Jessica accompanied to the local X-ray department.
All in a day’s work for the amazing Concierges at The Silo Hotel!
Pictured: The Silo Hotel
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Art & Culture
The experience at The Silo Hotel is focused on the art, food and culture of Cape Town while celebrating the exquisite natural beauty of South Africa’s Mother City.
The Silo Spa
An oasis of peace and relaxation offering a regenerative journey towards healing your physical and spiritual well-being.
Cape Town
Surrounded by dramatic mountains and sandy beaches, Cape Town is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Art & Culture
The experience at The Silo Hotel is focused on the art, food and culture of Cape Town while celebrating the exquisite natural beauty of South Africa’s Mother City.
The Silo Spa
An oasis of peace and relaxation offering a regenerative journey towards healing your physical and spiritual well-being.
Cape Town
Surrounded by dramatic mountains and sandy beaches, Cape Town is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Art & Culture
The experience at The Silo Hotel is focused on the art, food and culture of Cape Town while celebrating the exquisite natural beauty of South Africa’s Mother City.