Question about hotel

[pivotfreaker]

I have a question about a phone call I got just a little bit a go.A concierge person called me and said he has someone that would like a massage at 10pm. First of all, I don't like to give massages much less outcalls, that late at night. I told him I wasn't comfortable wilth going to an outcall so late. I told him to call the potential client and tell him I do medium to deep touch massage and that draping is required. He told me some therapist say they will give him a commission. I haven't worked that much in hotels so I don't know it that is normal. He said if I wanted my card moved up to top of the list I would need to give him a commission. This is a really nice hotel, The Westin, and the guy did sound young. I'm wondering more about the concierce having a little side business going on than I am about the client wanting something extra. He told me he would call the guest and call me back guess what he hasn't yet.  I guess that means the guest must have wanted the something extra and  the concierge was worried about his commission. I know its not kosher to ask for a tip so is he really supposed to ask for a commission like that.  Like I said, I haven't worked much in hotels.So any of you guys that have worked hotels whats the protocol. I think I'm ok with him not callng back that is probably a good thing. Maybe its a full moon or something. Or jupiter and mars maybe they are not lined up.  Maybe I got lucky and didn't have to deal with two freaks. Trish

 

[The Stubborn One]

It's normal to tip a concierge but it's not normal that he is the one telling you.  If you don't care to do business with this place, I certainly wouldn't bother with anything else.  If you do, I would make sure that the concierge is familiar with who you are, what hours you are willing to work, what kind of massage you offer (and do not offer) and then if he does get you business, I would give him a "gratuity" that YOU think is acceptable.  

 

[Abigael]

Question about hotel

Thank you Terab,I just found his whole behavior a bit odd. Oh Well. It seems they have quite a turnover in concierge at that hotel, maybe that's the reason.Thanks again.Trish

 

[Tay B]

Question about hotel

I would've had "Have a read of this thread" here but the thread seems to have vanished in the move.....

In your case, if he was young, he might be new at it and a bit uncertain of how to make it clear what was expected.

Personally, I think same day appointments from unknown males is bound to result in requests for a bit extra more often than not.

 

[Carlii]

Thanks melb!That was a good thread and great reading!!Wow, the concierge can really rake in the money especially in the nicer hotels.   I still don't like that he asked me point blank about a commission when I told him I charged $125 for hotels and then he said oh is that including gratuity and commission.  Maybe he used to be a car salesman before this job.  Thanks for the info.Trish

 

[MissTee]

Wow!!!!  Great info in that link.  One more question:  What would my chances be of convincing them to let me set up at the hotel?  I really hate the thought of outcalls and being in strangers hotel rooms.  I'd rather have a space there.  I'm thinking the cleaning people could leave my business card/brochure when they clean the rooms.  I could offer them free massage ow something.I'm thinking Holiday Inn or some other chain.  Thanks so much.  I'm working on a business proposal as week speak and you shed some light on the direction it is going.  Thank you!!!!!

 

[Carla Rawr]

Question about hotel

Using a hotel room for massage1) Most owners hate to give up potential revenue. Find the "worst room in the house" which they only sell in emergencies. Otherwise, your service is offered only when it is convenient for them - they want something consistent they can advertise and feature.2) Perverts are most likely found at the tops and bottoms of the hotel food chain - Ritz Carltons and Holiday Inns. The middle national brands tend to attract more upstanding folks.3) Your best advertising bet is to invest in tent cards. Anything stuck in a drawer or folder will never be seen. Business cards are too small, will get thrown out and don't have enough space to communicate effectively.4) It is easier to charge more at the nicer hotels. Holiday Inn clients won't pay the outcall surcharge - the massage will cost more than the room!5) If you get a room to use, you will have to get premises insurance, and if you have anyone work with you, Worker's Comp, even if they are an IC. The hotel won't want to deal with two separate entities, so the contract is with you, all others IC to you.6) Set your expectations accordingly. Even with tent cards, an in-room menu page, romance package including massage and a four year track record, our best 4-star hotels sell 1.5 massages per guest room per year - and that is offering services 8AM - 10pm, 363 days a year.

 

[funnyarmor]

R&R you make some great points.Would you still leave your card with the concierge or front desk or just rely on the table tent advertising?TrishWhy do guys have to make our life so complicated!  I guess its their job in life.Thanks R&R

 

[pam]

RelaxandRejuvenate, you are the bomb!! آ Thank you! آ Another question: آ Do you have any more statistics on massage in hotels? آ I had no idea about the 1.5 massages per room per year. آ In fact, I've not been able to locate any data that wasn't spa related. آ Thanks again.KarenP.S. آ Do you think I've have better luck if the Holiday Inn was also a convention center right off the turnpike? P.P.S.  Do all hotels (mid range) have a concergie.  (sp?)  

 

[Pompal 09.]

Simplybeemassage Great questions!!!Its a shame we are not in the same area we could work together  ;DAnyways Kudos to you!Trish

 

[Molly Smith]

Question about hotel

That is our data. We have been doing this over 4 years and are expanding nationwide through a partnership with a hotel chain. Their guests love our services and they are helping us promote this as part of their Mind Body Spa initiative - press release, web site pages ( http://development.argonauthotel.com/argspa/index.html is a sample of the menu), our own tv channel in the guest rooms.

So our best business traveler hotels do 1.5. But that is only a handful. One of our resort hotels in South Beach does over 3 per room.  Sadly, most are like one of the Hyatts we have tent cards with which only does 4 or 5 appts per month, and they have 200+ rooms! And the tent cards have to be replaced every few months.

You can leave a card with the front desk/concierge - even the bellman gets requests. But remember, they are likely to call the person who puts the most money in their pocket, and are not going to think twice about not telling you the guest asked for a young, blonde massage therapist. They also like to make you jump through hoops to impress their guest to try to get a tip - so expect lots of last minute calls. Combine that with the greed factor, and they will call the people who pay them most first, give them until about an hour before the requested appointment time for them to return the call. If they don't , they call reliable old you in a panic, expecting you to come in a hurry because their high paying friend never called back.

Since 2003, we stopped adding hotels that were "concierge-level relationships". If we are not dealing with the general manager, we are not interested in playing their games. We also insist the accounting department no longer allow guest charges to be turned into cash by the front desk. This prevents them from calling their friends - none of whom will bill the hotel and wait 30 days to get paid.

 

[Ahmad Sheikh Aljoofri]

Question about hotel

Wow, you can get some really high rates.  The only hotel in town that offers any type of spa or massage therapy services is only getting $60.00-$75.00 per hour and this is in our upper class historic downtown hotel.  I was hoping to charge $65.00 hoping that $5.00 would cover my credit card processing fees.  Hmmm, interesting.  Massage in Texas:  I wish I had someone around to do this with me.  I'm winging it...big time.  lol  Karen

 

[subtleanarchy]

Simplybee I feel your pain. I really do. I know how it is to wing it. I've been doing that for the past year I just now took 2 part time jobs with 2 different chiropractors in 2 different towns. I hope I can keep my schedule straight.  Going to hotels is a bird within itself. I do charge $125 which is normal for hotel visits. Just make sure you don't undercharge yourself. R&R has some great advice and I love her website. I think she will be a big help to you.  Call on her expertise to help you through this tough time. You will make it. I have faith in you. You have the desire  Good luck.Trish

 

[Suz C]

my experience with mobile massage and hotel calls is screening. most clients call on their own behalf. therefore, your 'pitch' must be clear, concise, and the emphasis must be on professionalism. your boundries are there for a reason. i will not massage after hours, unless booked well in advance for a repeat client only. period.in my experience, most calls after 9pm are looking for more than just a massage.....relax is always a wealth of information. thanks  

 

[Kent]

Question about hotel

R&R has some great advice and I love her website. I think she will be a big help to you.  Call on her expertise to help you through this tough time.

R&R is a woman?

 

[Erika USAF Mom]

AKB,If not, oops I did it again!! If not I am so sorry.That reminds me just the other day I had insert foot syndrome. It was the first time for me to meet this client and I had just started working at the Chiro's place. I can't believe I did this.  I actually asked this woman if she was pregnant!Guess what, she wasn't she said she was just built that way very thick in the middle. She is the first (and only) person I have asked that I was so embarrassed afterwards and backtracking trying to give her compliments after that.  I told her how pretty her eyes are and how long her eye lashes  are. Her hair looked great! Luckily, she had a sense of humor about it all.Trish

 

[Pompal 09.]

Question about hotel

We - R&R - are a couple. You don't know which of us you are getting with each post!She developed, opened and ran spas/salons and ran education for one of the Estee Lauder Co. brands and started R&R 4 years ago.He is a former business consultant who spent half his life in hotels.Neither are practitioners of massage or any other spa service. This is our business and our livelihood.

 

[KingRolfRocks]

ROFLWell, am I the only one that finds that particularly funny? ;D Maybe R&R could put a "couple pic" up like Mike and Gina (Gutehands). LOL  That way we'll know it's a special 2 for the price of 1 deal.    Plus I think Mike usually "Signs" his posts and we know it's usually Gina hanging 'round here most often.

 

[dolphin]

Question about hotel

We - R&R - are a couple. You don't know which of us you are getting with each post!

at some point i think you had a male symbol in your post profile. so i always thought you were a he. hahaha

needless to say, i/we are a couple too. mr. mush never posts. so, you'll see me write, "mr. mush says..." occasionally.

 

[Cee-Cee]

Question about hotel

I think he set up the account initially, but never changed it after I started using it.