

The Concierge
Monocle
Thinking about your next trip? Allow us to be of service. Introducing The Concierge, a travel show that goes the extra mile with tips, tricks and recommendations from around the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2023 • 33min
Sicily, Saint Barths and Bratislava
This week, we speak to Toru Machida, president of Clefs d’Or Great Britain and head concierge at The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Milan correspondent, Ivan Carvalho, takes us to sunny Sicily to explore some of the region’s breathtaking offerings and Mary Holland chats to the general manager of Eden Rock Saint Barths, Fabrice Moizan. Plus, Andrew Mueller writes to us from Bratislava and our correspondents from around the world answer listener questions from Oaxaca to California.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 26, 2023 • 33min
Charleston, Taiwan and Basel
This week we speak to Ali Smith, the general manager of the boutique Pinch Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina and Clarissa Wei reports from the stunning northeastern coast of Taiwan. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Tom Webb explores the world of retail tourism with Sacha Zackariya, CEO of Changegroup and author of ‘Leading Travel & Tourism Retail’. Plus: Jack Simpson writes to us from Basel and our correspondents around the world answer your questions, from Stockholm to Munich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 19, 2023 • 32min
Antibes, Ontario and London’s Carl Friedrik
This week we speak to Gilles Bertolino, concierge of the renowned Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, about summers on the French Riviera. Also in the programme, we speak to the co-founder of London-based luxury luggage brand Carl Friedrik, who tells us how his work goes hand in hand with the world of travel. Plus: Tomos Lewis takes us on a road trip to Picton, Ontario, and our global correspondents answer your questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 12, 2023 • 32min
Tokyo, Timor-Leste and Croatia
This week on the podcast, we hear from Aiko Imaizumi, chief concierge of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, about her summer recommendations in Tokyo. We also meet Eliad Cohen, the Israeli DJ behind the Papa Party club night, and Naomi Xu Elegant tours Timor-Leste. Plus, Raul Leal, CEO of SH Hotels and Resorts, talks about the opening of One Hotel Mayfair in London, and we explore the Rogenich winery and design hotel in Motov, Croatia.

Jul 5, 2023 • 29min
Whistler, Zürich and Taipei
This week, Luc Frieseisen, senior concierge at The Dolder Grand in Zürich and president of Les Clefs d’Or Suisse, tells us about the illustrious organisation. We also speak to hotel furniture designer Pierre-Yves Rochon about his eclectic career and upcoming projects, and Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs journeys to Whistler, British Columbia, to give us the lowdown on the mountain resort’s summer season. Plus: our correspondents around the world answer listeners’ questions on destinations from Taipei to Milan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 28, 2023 • 34min
The Maldives, Delphi and Vienna’s revamped train route
This week, Sean Muir, director of rooms at Kimpton Saint George hotel in Toronto, shines a light on summer in the Canadian city and Monocle’s Alexei Korolyov takes the revamped rail route from Vienna to the Italian port city of Trieste. Also in the programme: we speak to Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of hospitality group Soneva, whose portfolio includes the Maldives’ first luxury resort, Soneva Fushi. Plus: Andrew Mueller gives us the lowdown on Delphi and our correspondents from around the world answer listeners’ questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 21, 2023 • 32min
Santorini, Perugia and Paris’s Hotel Amour
This week we speak to Theodora Minderhoud, hotel manager of Katikies Santorini, who gives us the lowdown on the Greek island, while Monocle’s Tom Webb unearths the finest delights that Perugia has to offer. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco talks to Eddie Megraoui about how Hotel Amour in Paris is giving elevator music a new reputation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 14, 2023 • 32min
Cape Town, Lanzarote and Paris
This week we speak to Eduardo Riestra, co-founder of boutique hotel Palacio Ico, who gives us the lowdown on Lanzarote, while Monocle’s Christopher Cermak boards a sleeper train from Chicago to Washington. Also in the programme: Craig Reid, CEO of Auberge Resorts Collection, joins us in the studio, Laura Kramer takes us on a trip to Paris and our correspondents from around the world answer listeners’ questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 7, 2023 • 33min
Dubai, the Orient Express and Sandals Resorts
This week, Marie Ela Lanzanas, chief concierge at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, shares her top tips for travelling in the UAE and Monocle’s Tomos Lewis gives us the lowdown from Toronto. Also in the programme: we speak to Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, and Charlotte McDonald-Gibson takes a ride on the newly renovated Orient Express. Plus, our correspondents from around the world answer listeners’ questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 2023 • 33min
Milan, Finnair and Portland’s Specialty Coffee Expo
This week, Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, joins us from Milan to give us his top recommendations following Salone del Mobile and Petri Burtsoff speaks to the CEO of Finnair, Topi Manner, who is preparing for his company’s 100th anniversary. Also in the programme, Gregory Scruggs heads to Portland, Oregon, where he visits the Specialty Coffee Expo, and our correspondents from around the world answer listeners’ questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.