Ask the Concierge: Gran Meliá in Caracas

Tips from concierge July Fonda at the Gran Meliá in Caracas, Venezuela. Fonda was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador but moved to Venezuela at the age of five. She started out five years ago as a receptionist at the Meliá, and has been a concierge at the hotel for nearly three years.

What restaurant would you recommend for a business lunch or dinner outside your hotel?

If it’s a business dinner, and you like beef, we often recommend El Alazán. If it’s Italian, Aprile. For fusion cuisine, Alto in Los Palos Grandes. For a slightly more intimate dinner, I could recommend Mezzanotte for its spectacular terrace in the Mirador shopping mall in Lomas de San Román.

I have only 24 hours to spend in Caracas. What itinerary would you suggest I take in order to impress a client?

The strategy is to do a circle. Go see the cultural district in Bellas Artes, the historic sites downtown, such as the Capitolio, the Plaza Bolívar, the emblematic home of Simón Bolívar’s birth, which is a can’t-miss and one of our greatest prides. Visit the Panteón Nacional and then get a panoramic view of the city from the Cota Mil highway; even drop by the cable car station. At the end of the Cota Mil, you can come back by way of Francisco de Miranda Avenue so you can visit some malls, especially the attractive and chic Tolón Mall. I also like recommending the San Ignacio Mall for its cafes, terraces and safety.

Can you recommend a shopping district or two?

If it’s Venezuelan arts and crafts or souvenirs, go to the village of El Hatillo, where you’ll find Hannsi, a very well-known store. It sells arts and crafts from all regions of Venezuela. It’s also a colonial area, so it’s nice to walk and look around. For more exclusive shopping, we normally send people to Tolón or San Ignacio malls. If they are looking for hard-to-find brands, the Casablanca store in Las Mercedes. If they want something more routine, the Sambil mall is very complete.

What are must-buy items for me to take home?

Many people come to Venezuela and can’t leave without buying rum. Everyone asks where they can buy a good Aniversario or Santa Teresa rum. And hammocks – people really like hammocks.

What safety precautions do you suggest I take during my stay in Caracas?

We recommend that guests use our taxis to get around because drivers are professionally trained to attend to any emergency and they offer comfortable and safe taxis approved by the chain. We recommend taking copies of documents such as passports and visas. If you get lost, it’s best not to be wearing clothing or accessories that draw attention. Whenever you need help, you should try reaching the hotel or one of the authorities.

I have several meetings around town. What’s the best way for me to get around?

If your company isn’t paying for transportation and a hotel taxi is outside your budget, the subway system could be an option as long as you take precautions as in any big city. Our subway system is very simple, saves time and money and can take you to Altamira in five to 10 minutes. Taxis, which are our first option because of safety, have the advantage of allowing guests to charge the fare to the room, thus avoiding having to carry cash.

What’s the most unusual request from a hotel guest?

Chewing gum. I had to run out of the hotel and look for some.