How did you begin your career in the luxury hotel industry, and
what specifically attracted you to The Lowell Hotel?
I started my career in Hotel Management in Germany and worked in several
luxury properties in Germany and England before I decided to move to New York.
My first hotel was the Pierre where I worked at the Front Desk and was inspired
to become a concierge. At the time there were no female concierges in Europe
but in New York there were women at every Concierge Desk. I eventually started
at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park where I moved up to Chef Concierge
and stayed for twenty years. I left the hotel industry for a couple years but missed
hotels and was excited to hear that the Lowell was looking to fill a concierge
position. The Lowell is a very special hotel because it is small and intimate. In
this environment we are able to get to know the guest, understand their
preferences and create experiences that make a difference in their stay.
Your favourite spots for Spring and Summer in New York City?
Cherry Hill in Central Park is magical in spring: you will see the Yoshino Cherry
trees in bloom. There are a number of other wonderful places to see cherry
blossoms in Central Park: on the east and westside of the reservoir as well as
right behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Once you are there go see the
rooftop of the museum to enjoy the incredible view and seasonal art installation,
open through October. This year’s installation is “Ensemble” by Jennie C. Jones.
Another one of my favorite places, especially in summer are the Cloisters,
located at Fort Tyron Park in Washington Heights on the northern tip of
Manhattan. The museum specializes in medieval art and architecture and is
surrounded by three gardens featuring a variety of rare medieval species and
offering stunning views of the Hudson and New Jersey Palisades.
Your favourite neighbourhood in Manhattan?
All neighborhoods in Manhattan are very different from each other, which makes
the city so special. Walking is the best sightseeing and the best way to
experience the city: turning a corner can transport you to a different world. I do
have a soft spot for the Lower East Side, not only for shopping but also for the
great people watching. Recently (since I started working at the Lowell) I have
come to love the Upper East Side because it is a small community, and vendors
and venues know each other and meet on a regular basis. For us concierges on
the Upper East Side it is easy to reach out to any of them to help elevate our
guest’s experience.
Your favourite dining destinations?
This is a difficult question for a concierge. We all have personal preferences, but
we recommend to our guests what we believe they will like. Some of mine are
The Grill, Manhatta, Minetta Tavern, Santi, Twin Tails, Bungalow and Veau d’Or.
The list goes on and on and changes on a regular basis.
Where would you spend your day off in New York?
On a sunny day in New York City I love to be on the water. One can take the
Roosevelt Island tramway to the island and take the ferry to Wall Street to have
lunch by the water at Industry Kitchen or enjoy oysters at Great Banks on Pier
25. There are also sailboat cruises either during the day or at sunset offering
spectacular views of Manhattan and the statue of liberty and after all these years
in the city those views never get old.
What do you love the most about your job?
I left the industry for a few years and came back to it because I missed it. I enjoy
finding out what guests are looking for and creating an itinerary tailored just for
them. Every guest is different and comes with different expectations and
questions on what they want to do in this wonderful city. Concierges are
ambassadors of the city and representatives of their hotels. We do feel that we
can make or break a guest stay and do not take this responsibility lightly.
What do guests love the most about The Lowell?
Our guests feel “at home” here and taken care of by the staff many of whom
have worked here for years. The Lowell is an oasis in the middle of the hustle
and bustle of the city which is why our guests come back again and again.
What are your favourite spots on the Upper East Side?
There are so many special places and here are just a few: I love the Neue
Galerie, a museum of Austrian and German art and design, and their Viennese
Café Sabarsky and Café Fledermaus. For a nightcap I love Melody’s Piano Bar
serving great cocktails and live music every day in an elegant ambiance. One of
the unique stores on the Upper East Side is Zitomer, an upscale family run New
York pharmacy established in 1950. There you can find everything from a vast
selection of beauty products to hard-to-find items, accessories, home goods,
toys, electronics and snacks. For a break after shopping, one can take a break at
the historical Carl Schurz Park which offers beautiful views of the river, the
Roosevelt Island Lighthouse and the Triborough Bridge. The park also contains
Gracie Mansion, the 18 th century mansion that serves as the official residence of
the Mayor of New York.