No, unfortunately I’m not staying there right now, but I just love this post by BingBongBoy on FlyerTalk regarding his experience with the guest relations team at the InterContinental San Francisco:
I am planning a big trip to the US west coast for my 30th birthday in a couple of months. 7 nights in San Francisco, 5 of us in total going. I would have loved to have stayed at the IC as it looks outstanding, but was way out of my budget, so we opted for other accommodation.
I did however contact the IC in San Francisco to enquire if they offered “Afternoon Tea” or “High Tea” in any of their eateries in the property as a little treat whilst we are there. I am not sure what I was expecting, however I have had an outstanding response from a lady in Guest Relations.
First of all, early birthday wishes and an apology that they did not offer what I was looking for at their property, but she would contact the Mark Hopkins and see if they did. I received another e-mail a few hours later advising that the MH does not do it either. However…
In that time, this lovely lady had compiled a PDF document listing other hotels and tea rooms in San Francisco that offer Afternoon or High tea, opening times, web sites and the likes… I was very taken aback. Really very much above and beyond what I would ever have expected. I really am taken aback, in a very good way!
I can’t say I’m surprised, since the InterContinental San Francisco is one of the hotels that “gets it.” But nonetheless this is really thinking outside the box. Far too many companies (especially in the “hospitality” industry) only care about customers in the short term and don’t think about the potential business that can come from gestures like this. So kudos to the crew at the InterContinental San Francisco for this. I’m sure gestures like this more than pay off in the long run.
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