Imagine a well-travelled friend, mixed with a super P.R, a discerning restaurant critic and party thrower extraordinaire and you have Quintessentially.com. Curious as ever to know what's going on globally - we tapped them for their very (very) insider knowledge.

1.

THE STRANGEST REQUEST?
Retrieving a tuxedo lost on a train for a member in time for his gala dinner that evening

2.

THE MOST POPULAR REQUESTS?
Restaurant and Hotel reservations, Nightclub access

3.

THE CURRENT GLOBAL DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR YOUR CLIENTS?
Courchevel, St Tropez, Ile de la Réunion

4.

IF MONEY WERE NO PROBLEM - WHAT/HOW/WHERE WOULD SUGGEST AS A TRAVEL IDEA?
Tailor-made travel to remote areas – we are currently putting together a treasure hunt on a private island

5.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY TRAVEL TRENDS (MORE OF YOUR CLIENTS WANTING TO GO TREKKING/CAMPING/SURFING)?
More discretion where big spending is concerned

6.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE SPA OF THE MOMENT?
The new Dior spa at Plaza Athénée Paris with exclusive services not offered anywhere else

7.

THE RESTAURANT YOUR CLIENTS MOST WANT TO VISIT?
Jules Verne Paris (Eiffel Towel) and Maison Blanche (featured above)

8.

IS THERE A NEW FOOD STYLE YOU SEE EMERGING?
Molecular cuisine is popping up everywhere, but it’s not new, just newly prominent. On the flip side, there is a great deal of exploration being done with classics and simpler foods, expanding on the original concepts to make them new again.

9.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE CONCEPT LUXURY WILL DEVELOP IN 2009?
Sustainable development in the luxury sector through advancement in technology; harnessed to create new means of enjoying the finest things in life whilst respecting the environment.

10.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY TRENDS IN TERMS OF CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES?
Lots of bespoke parties in innovative locations (we've just organized a circus party in the middle of a mountain in Courchevel)

11.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PARTY?
The right guests and a consistent theme

12.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT GIFT? DO YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT SOMEONE ORGANISING A "MEMORABLE" BIRTHDAY GIFT?
Tailor-made and bespoke items or travels

13.

WHAT ARE THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER MUSIC CONCERTS?
Tina Turner, Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, Bob Dylan

14.

THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER ARTIST/S RIGHT NOW?
In every artistic domain there has been a real revival of all that was hot in the 1970’s/80’s; whether it be fashion with Balmain’s Glam Rock-inspired fashions, Madonna’s resurgence to the top of the charts, or Andy Warhol’s pieces back at the forefront of the pop-art trend.

15.

WHAT TIME OF THE DAY DO YOU RECEIVE THE MOST CALLS?
Between 10h-10h30 and 15h-19h30

16.

WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR DO YOU RECEIVE THE MOST CALLS?
Paris is busy year-round, the high season in the Alps is from November to March, the French Riviera March to September, and French Wine regions (such as Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy) from March to June
 

If you enjoyed reading these take a look at Hong Kong's latest lifestyle trends at www.swide.com/Ask-the-concierge--Hong-Kong

Coming soon: Up and coming lifestyle trends, the hotels, the holiday spots and the food spots to know in Italy, New York, Greece, Hong Kong, UK, and USA PLUS Quintessentially's strangest ever requests.

Quintessentially is a private members' club with a 24-hour global concierge service. With offices in almost every major destination and thousands of suppliers worldwide, Quintessentially can hand you the virtual keys to any city. Whether it be travel, music, art, food, drink, hotels, clubs, spas, restaurants, tickets or - most particularly - service, a Quintessentially membership is your passport to the very best that life has to offer.

Source: Quintessentially.com

Photo Credit: Maison Blanche