Head Concierge Deon Prinsloo bids Palazzo Hotel farewell after 15 years

This ends his 15-year-long career as head concierge and guest relations manager at the award-winning luxury hotel

Deon Prinsloo worked as head concierge and guest relations manager at the Palazzo Hotel in Johannesburg for nearly 15 years and is leaving the hotel to pursue his long-term dream.

Prinsloo has worked in the hospitality sectors locally and internationally in Belgium and Dubai for almost 38 years. During this time, he has interacted with people from all walks of life: from royalty to heads of state, celebrities to business people, world travellers and ordinary people. They have all shaped his career and enriched his experiences.

It is through these interactions and passion to create unrivalled guest experiences that he has been prompted to step off the familiar path and venture into something new.

On 10 October 2010, Prinsloo launched a first-of-its-kind in the country: the South African Concierge Forum, a platform that enables South African concierges/guest relations personnel to share their experiences and expertise. His motto “Inspire, Share and Shine” continues to underlie this initiative years later with the hosting of Annual Concierge Conferences in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Additional educational days have been held quarterly through the Concierge Forums.

The global health pandemic of 2020, which resulted in many people leaving the industry in droves, ignited Prinsloo’s desire to realise his dream of becoming a consultant.

“After the Covid-19 pandemic, I saw the need for training in this area as many people were forced to leave the sector they loved during the hard lockdown periods – and many never returned,” says Prinsloo.

Prinsloo says his new venture entails concierge consulting, motivational speaking, SA Concierge Forum networking, personalised travel arrangements, philanthropy orphanage ventures and floral arrangements, among other focus areas. Further details will be announced in due course.

“Interacting with hotel guests and people in the industry is not just a passion – it is an obsession – and I intend fully sharing my knowledge and expertise of nearly four decades with the industry while building much needed skills and training.”

“As I close this chapter and open a new one, I am grateful to colleagues, guests and friends for your support – and I look forward to collaborating with you on this new venture,” adds Deon.

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Deon Prinsloo Bio

Deon has 38 years in the hospitality sector – locally and internationally in Belgium and Dubai - with the last 15 years spent working as head concierge and guest relations manager at the Palazzo Hotel in Johannesburg.

He has interacted with guests from all walks of life including royalty, heads of states and other dignitaries, celebrities, business people and ordinary travellers.

On 10 October 2010, he started the very first of its kind in the country - the South African Concierge Forum, a platform that enables South African concierges/guest relations personnel to share their experiences and expertise. His motto themed: Inspire, Share and Shine continues years later with the hosting of Annual Concierge Conferences hosted in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg with additional educational days held quarterly through the Concierge Forums. He aims to leave behind a valuable legacy on experiences and knowledge that shaped his career. 

When he is not serving guests and spending time with friends, Deon is actively involved in helping disadvantaged children in various communities within Johannesburg.

Several years ago, he answered an inner philanthropic call, and now works with various orphanages to collect much-needed items from stationery, to toiletries and clothes. The highlight of these events is the annual, Christmas Charity Drive whereby some of the items collected including Christmas related gifts are handed over to children at homes in townships.

What makes Deon successful in his work is his daily commitment to service excellence that ensures he is remembered for the way he made guests feel and not what he said or did.