The Jefferson Hotel’s concierge goes above and beyond for guests and hails the virtues of plants.
By Anna Storm
Chris Adcock of the Jefferson Hotel. (Photo by Joseph Allen)
It’s easy to overlook modern concierges in the age of the iPhone: you can’t carry one in your pocket, or stick one on your dashboard as you navigate Georgetown traffic. But as the only professionals trained to know the city better than anyone else, their encyclopedia-meets-personal approach is far from outdated. In our series, D.C.’s Top Concierges, we offer up the city’s top hits — and misses — from D.C.’s very own human Googles.
Name:
Christopher Adcock
Hometown:
Washington, D.C.
How long have you been living in D.C.?
All of my life and seven generations of my family
How long have you been working as a concierge?
27 years
Most bizarre question you’ve ever been asked by a guest:
I was given a week to find either a buyer or anyone willing to take a vile of Bosnian bee venom valued at over $600,000 dollars. I love a challenge! On the last day of the given week I finally found someone to take it. The guest was shocked and thrilled!!
What’s one place tourists should ask about… but never do:
The National Arboretum. It has one of the largest and oldest collections of Bonsai outside of Japan. It also has a collection of thousands of very old Azalea bushes that are tall enough you can walk through, and when they bloom it is magical.
Best off-the-beaten-path site:
Hillwood Estate and Museum, the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the Post Cereal heiress
Most overrated D.C. attraction:
I hate to say this but I feel it is the Washington Monument mainly due to the long lines and difficulty in seeing the view from the top because of the crowds
Which one place/region/go-to destination is most worth the hype?
Mount Vernon/Old Town Alexandria, Va.
If the District wasn’t known for politics, what would be its claim-to-fame?
Its booming restaurant scene
What’s your number-one pick for families?
I recommend a visit to the Newseum. The premise of this museum is all things to do with media, broadcasting, current events, newspapers.
For twenty-somethings?
I suggest a Segway tour of the National Mall area
Most frequently asked question:
Are there tours available of the White House? Prior to 9/11 this was a very easy task. Sadly, since then, citizens are asked to contact their congressman, and international guests need to go through their embassies
A couple is only here for one day, and they’re looking for an experience they can’t get anywhere but D.C. Where would you suggest they go?
I would suggest a behind-the-scenes tour of the U.S. Capitol building and watch a session of Congress, then an evening stroll around the National Mall at sunset
Best job perk?
Every day being a different challenge and meeting new people
