What are the best practices for greeting and escorting a VIP guest to their room?

It costs nothing to do some online research on your VIPs, especially those who are corporate clients or have the potential to be future clients. If it's clear that it is a business related trip, I have often tried and succeeded in contacting the guest's executive assistant and inquiring about any special requests or no-cost services that could provided. To ensure privacy, I don't recommend starting by saying you know the client has a reservation, but instead inquiring if the guest might need any assistance with future travel plans, without revealing dates or specific location. If you do indeed find the right person, they will self-identify themselves and provide the additional information that would be needed to service the client/guest.

One thing I have found helpful in my methods on operation and supervision in the hospitality industry.When the VIP guest knows that he/she is been recognized it gives much credit to us,as he/she will be going to be the ambassador of the hotel he/she stayed.

I always recommend that any staff that will have specific responsibility for servicing a VIP guest provide the guest with a business card containing all of the methods that the guest can use to communicate with the assigned staff member or team. For the more technically inclined, I offer both a traditional business card and offer to send the same information to them via text or email. Sometimes it's also possible to send this information to the guest and/or executive assistant prior to arrival.

Follow-through on requests is my #1 pet peeve. I always recommend that the person or team responsible for a VIP guest double-or triple-check that any service or special requests have been ACTUALLY completed in a timely manner. Some "rapid response" or PMS systems allow additional notifications to be send as FYI when a guest, typically flagged as a VIP with special service code. You can't assume a VIP will always reach out to the person(s) that were assigned to a VIP guest. Of course, the best method of avoiding issues, especially regarding accommodations is to always verify they are being assigned property and that the room or suite has been thoroughly inspected with enough time before arrival-which means having an ETA is a major objective.

Having worked at many luxury resort properties, I have found a small departure gift is very well received and is like putting a cherry on the top of a sundae. If the VIP is getting turn down service, this is an excellent time to deliver the night before departure. If the guest is getting expedited, express, or personal check out services (reverse greeting), handing the departure gift personally to the VIP guest can give that extra touch of a final remembrance of their stay. The departure gift should be small, easily transported, and preferably non-perishable (unless the property is known for a special item, such as a small box of cookies, etc.). A hand-written note is paramount, and should be signed by the person(s) who assisted the VIP.

There should be a standard/policy regarding gratuities offered to all employees (especially management staff) . Obviously/gratuities should never be solicited from any guest, especially VIPs. That said, employees who are in tip categories should be always compensated for services provided to VIPs, even if it means having the property foot the bill. If a management staff is given a gratuity, the first suggestion is to query whom the tip is intended, saying something like, "may I distribute this to the porters (bell/luggage staff) and housekeepers?" If the guest indicates it is being given as a personal gratuity to management staff, the first response should always be, "that is not necessary". If the guest insists, graciously thank them.

Know your property. This is very important because knowledge is a powerful tool and this tool can make our break a guest's stay. If you find that you do not know the answer, you should know who you can go to to quickly get the answer.