Gary Lee
Assistant Chief Concierge
Westin Sydney
1 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
PH: +61 2 8223 1164
FAX:+61 2 8223 1261
Westin Sydney
My hospitality journey began in 1999 whilst still in high school when I did work experience at the Sebel Townhouse in Kings Cross. Following this, a year later, I completed another week of work experience at the Novotel Darling Harbour where I met Jorge Sousa. This was my first encounter with a Les Clefs d’Or member and where I had the idea of becoming a professional Concierge.
After completing high school in 2001, I enrolled in a TAFE course in certificate IV hospitality supervision (front office). This allowed me to start as a casual porter at the Holiday Inn Potts Point in 2002. In 2003, I joined Simon Rose at the Westin Sydney. Over the years at the Westin Sydney, I have worked my way through as a porter, department trainer, commissionaire, senior porter and finally by the age of 20, I achieved one of my personal goals and was promoted to Concierge.
Soon after this promotion, Ron Greedy joined the Westin Sydney as the new Chief Concierge.
In 2006, at the annual Les Clefs d’Or ball I was recognised by my peers in the industry and was the inaugural recipient of the Tony Facciolo award. This award is given out each year to recognise ‘up and coming’ Concierges in Sydney.
With Ron’s nurturing nature and experience over the years, I was accepted into Les Clefs d’Or in early 2009.
My work philosophy comes from a quote in a movie starring Michael J. Fox called, “For Love of Money (otherwise known as the ‘Concierge’)”. Michael J. Fox’s character, Doug Ireland, says over the phone, “Nothing is impossible Albert, impossible just takes a few extra phone calls.”
