What is your name and official title? How long have you been a concierge with the property? If elsewhere prior, where and for how long?

My name is George Moore – everyone calls me “Mr. George” – and I’m the concierge at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa in Mobile, Alabama. I’ve been here for 15 years, since this historic property reopened. Before that, I opened our sister hotel, the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, back in 1983 and remained there until 2007, when I came to the Battle House.

What do you love best about the city in which you work?

I work in Mobile, which is the home of America’s original Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is very special to this city – we had it here first and we do it up like nobody else! – but it’s also important to me personally. I missed being a Mardi Gras baby by just seven days … and that means that I have many reasons to celebrate at that time of year!

What are some hidden tips for visitors first coming to the city? What would you tell repeat visitors not to miss?

Mobile has so many incredible museums, but the Mobile Carnival Museum is my favorite. It’s the place to go to get a true understanding of why Mardi Gras is such a big deal here. I also think every visitor must go to the History Museum of Mobile, which is the single best introduction to our city’s amazing history. Our local tourism office, Visit Mobile, also operates a visitor center right inside the history museum, so there’s no better place to get your bearings and plan your time in our city.

Are there any activities, attractions, tours, sights or other experiences that you would call to the attention of visitors?

You haven’t been to Mobile if you haven’t been to Wintzell’s Oyster House, a local seafood restaurant that’s been a part of our culinary culture since 1938. These days, there are other locations around the city and throughout the state, but you really must go to the original. 

Tell me one unique thing about the hotel/resort you work in that guests overlook or underutilize? What is something you would point out to guests that they should notice/experience while staying with you?

I give a daily history tour that shares all the fascinating stories about the hotel, but it also touches on the history of the whole city … because the hotel’s stories and the city’s stories are forever intertwined. On that tour, I always try to point out the unique artwork that’s all over our property. There are treasures hidden in plain sight, and they show off the talents of so many local artists. I also introduce our guests to the “Whispering Arch,” which is a piece of architectural genius that you don’t find in too many places. If you stand on one side of our second-floor arches, which overlook our beautiful lobby, and someone stands on the other side, you can whisper back and forth without anyone else hearing your conversation!