Butler Service - A butler is a senior servant in met, and dealing with any problems that arise during

a well-to-do household. The position and its the stay.

precursors have existed for centuries and have
The valet is always:
evolved. Valet or varlet is a “French Term” that means
• A front-of-house member of staff – they are not
“male servants”. On the other hand, “Housekeeper” is
“back of house‟ staff who work behind the scenes.
for “Woman”. Nowadays, the Hotel Valet/ Butler is an
• A guest contact staff member – as opposed to a
employee who performs personal services for guests.
manager or administration officer.
Butler is also known as “Personal Assistant of Guest”
• A service provider – while they perform some liaison
or (P.A). Butler is usually in a five-star hotel. Butlers
and supervision duties their primary role is one of
have traditionally been male, and this remains the
service provision.
norm. Today female butlers are sometimes preferred,
especially for work within Middle and Far eastern The main duties of a valet
families where it may be culturally problematic for
males to work closely with females in a household. The main duties of a valet refer to the services
they provide to their guests. Services can include, but
The job of the valet - A valet, sometimes also are not limited to:
known as a 'butler', is employed by a hotel to provide • Valet runner
a personalized and specialist service to guests for the • Unpacking and storing guest luggage
duration of their stay. They add a degree of service, • Preparing guest clothes and footwear – ready for
class, and style many people associate with use
indulgence and opulence. • Light pressing of garments – as required or
requested.
The many roles of a valet - Many regards the
• Packing guest luggage – for their departure
valet as providing a combination of roles each with its
• Cleaning and polishing shoes – as required or
demanding level of personalized and individualized
requested.
services.
• Repairing, or organizing the repair of, clothes and
The various roles include:
other guest belongings
• Housekeeper – performing a range of services
• Assisting the organization of guest needs and
normally provided by room attendants in other
requests
rooms.
• Monitoring the provision of establishment services
• Confidant – being a trusted person whom the guest
to the guest – both in-room and throughout the
can confide in when they need to talk or share an
venue.
idea, experience, or opinion.
• Recording services that have been delivered – for
• Guide – informing the guest of what is available
quality control and accounting procedures.
both within and outside the venue, when it is
• Preparing room before the guest arrives
available, how to get there and how to obtain entry,
• Looking after guest laundry and dry-cleaning needs
tickets, preferential treatment.
• Organizing and processing secretarial duties upon
• Concierge – A front office staff member who
request – such as messages, faxes, packages,
operates the concierge desk, providing advice,
translation, postage, and use of the business facilities
direction, and information to guests about all aspects
at the property.
of the venue, the local area, products, services,
• Arranging restaurant bookings, car hire, tours,
facilities, and anything else the guest wishes to know
specified purchases of gifts or other items
about while all valets work together with the
• Organizing activities to meet guest needs – such as
concierge in a venue, many valets often take the role
arranging special functions in the venue, booking local
of concierge for the guests they are looking after.
excursions and tours, and making reservations for the
• Organizer – organizing activities including
theatre, shows, dining, and special events.
reservations, tickets to shows, entry to events,
• Provision of local advice (the concierge‟ function)
meetings with people, daily schedules, on behalf of
• Making, altering, or confirming travel arrangements.
and under the direction of the guest.
Before guest arrival the valet must: Investigate
• Supervisor – overseeing the work of other people
background information and knowledge about guest
(venue employees and outside workers) who provide
preferences and previous history with the
products and service to the guest.
establishment.
• Guest relations – ensuring the guest has a pleasant
stay in the venue, ensuring their expectations are