As a concierge at the W Hotel in Times Square, Spencer Howard spends his time researching and recommending the newest amenities that the city has to offer. From restaurants to Broadway shows, Howard dedicates himself to finding quality entertainment that is personalized to each guest’s requests.  “I’ve learned that most people already know the parts of the city they want to explore. What they really need help with is what to do near the hotels. In particular, the places they can go to get a break from being “tourists.” Howard says,  “They don’t need to be told to see the Empire State Building, but they do need to be told about the amazing little Italian restaurant around the corner that only locals know about.”

Aside from giving travel advice, Howard admits to being an avid tech lover and felt it would be only right to recommend convenient, travel friendly products that he loves, while also naming his favorite places in the city, and thus, TripKnowledgy: The Science of Suitcase Living was created.

Howard’s travel advice website caters to making the turmoil’s of traveling more bearable. He says the website has given him a lot of insight on what it is like to be a traveler. “I get a true sense of how most people act as “foreigners” in a new city. Based on that, I’ve been able to write some great articles for my site teaching people ways to avoid feeling like a foreigner. Especially when it comes to utilizing their hotel’s Concierge. So many travelers don’t realize how helpful the Concierge can be and just how many discounts we have sitting behind our table.”

Howard believes that the hotel deeply encourages employee personal growth, especially when the hotel is used as a stepping-stone to prosperity and to following their goals of personal success. “ I’d even say they were excited to hear that a big part of my personality is related to the travel industry.” Howard claims “my co-workers are now all followers of TripKnowledgy and spread the word whenever they can. The W Hotel is unique in that it encourages their employees to pursue their outside passions.”

Amber Jones, who has been in the concierge industry for 12 years, was so deeply influenced by her work environment that in 2011, she decided to make something out of it, literally, and compose her own children’s book called “New York Phew York, A Scratch-N-Sniff Adventure.”

The premise of the story is a young boy traveling to New York for the first time with his family, and through the advice of his trusty hotel concierge, gets to explore New York City while having the reader smell through the journey along with him.

“I wanted to do something different, and I felt this premise not only could be a hit with young kids, but with tourists and even local New Yorkers because it’s something they can all relate to,” Jones says.

Jones says that she will always be so grateful for the support from her bosses and fellow employees, “There would be times where during my shift I would have to make an appointment for a phone interview or leave work early for a reading and every time my boss and coworkers would say ‘Go! Please go, do your thing!’ and I will always be so grateful for that sort of flexibility and support.”

“New York Phew York” has made its way to various stores around the city, including the hotel’s very own boutique, The W Store.

“We are all so proud of Amber and we’re honored to carry such a unique and fun book. Its great to promote something that was based on the hotel itself and it makes us that much prouder to sell it,” said Amy Siladu, the store’s assistant manager.

Lauren Diamond, a cocktail waitress for the bar in the lobby, says she feels that because of the economic stability of her job, it has enabled her to promote her singing career. She has even performed in the hotel. “They were very open to my band and I performing in their Open Mic Night and I think it’s great that I feel supported by my workplace and can get exposure through it. It really means a lot to me. It feels like they actually care and want to see me do well and succeed and that in turn makes me want to do my best for them.”