Friday, December 28, 2007

A Happy Diner

Hello Jennifer, I had a lovely dining experience yesterday evening and one of your waiters was exceptional as I had lost my Mont Blanc pen and he found it as I was leaving Cafe Rodeo and returned it to me. Such class! Would love to return the favor should you have any special holiday needs. Dianne, Smythson of Bond Street, on Rodeo Drive.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Luxe Holiday Celebration


Everyone would agree that this was our best employee party yet!
Pictured here: Sherwin Banda, Hotel Manager, me, Beverly, Front Desk, and Regina, Assistant Controller.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Christmas Carol

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, 1843.

Monday, December 24, 2007

I don't care about Christmas presents or lights

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff was recorded for Carey's fifth album, Merry Christmas (1994). It’s one of the most commercially successful Christmas singles of the modern era and by late 2006, it had become the best-selling holiday ring tone of all time in the U.S. All I want for Christmas is you!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Flightdeck: Ho Ho Ho

Holiday cards

Today, I received a holiday greeting from someone whom I haven't seen in a long time. We met years ago at another hotel; she's traveled from Hollywood to Baghdad and back. Enclosed was a recent photo and her new business card. Truly a treasure to be remembered. Thank you, Stephanie. You look ravishing!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Good Wishes from HBO

Hi Wendy,
It was a pleasure seeing you.
Thank you for always remembering and thinking of me.

May the new year,give you new Joy and Happiness.
We MUST make time to get together.

xoxo

Kim Goins Alexander
HBO Travel
A Time Warner Entertainment Company

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Reality Checklist


Making a list and checking it twice. Dear Santa, May we all have a jolly holiday season filled with happiness and good cheer!

Christmas at the Beverly Hills Hotel


What a treat: lunch in the Polo Lounge! We thank you, Rachel Eskoff, for sharing some of your holiday cheerfulness with us. Pictured in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel, Marisa Chinn, Valentino Boutique Manager, me and Rachel Eskoff, Regional Sales Director at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 'Tis the season - be jolly. Fa la la la la la

Monday, December 17, 2007

Cafe Rodeo Compliment

Hi Wendy,

Thanks again for your time today. It was such a pleasure to spend time with you away from the office :)
Hotel is great. So glad I finally got to see it.

Happy, Happy Holidays xo

Pamela
Pamela Aberg Brunette| Manager|Sony Pictures Travel

Friday, December 14, 2007

The Kite Runner

In October, I decided to listen to the book on CD, read by the author, Khaled Hosseini, in anticipation of the film release. On one particular Sunday, I got up and drove to the Pasadena Community College Flea Market just to listen to a disc in my car. I was addicted. You can imagine how excited I was to be invited to a screening at Paramount Pictures this week. As you probably know by now, it's the epic tale of Amir and Hassan, boyhood friends torn apart by a single act of betrayal and cowardice during the final days of Afghanistan's crumbling monarchy. Decades later, a westernized Amir returns from America to rediscover a country he no longer knows, gains honor and redemption. Through loss, there is friendship found. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Porsche Design and Angeleno Magazine

Slade Smiley from Bravo's hit series The Real Housewives of Orange County was on hand for an evening to benefit Make a Wish Foundation at Porsche Design last evening. While Slade was engaging a beautiful blond in his fabulous Porsche aviator sunglasses, I was enjoying the company of hosts, Lewis, Julia and Christine (pictured here). They seemed to know exactly what gifts were on every man's wish list this season. Thank you for donating a portion of this evening proceeds to the Foundation. Very fashionable of you!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Hello Jennifer Albert

Hi Jennifer,
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful party and all your efforts! Everyone had a great time, and was praising the food and decor. Thanks again! Susan [Kim] Operations Manager, Giorgio Armani
Welcome Jennifer Albert, Restaurant and Special Events Manager, to the Luxe Team!

Monday, December 10, 2007

A Happy Guest

Wendy , thank you I as always had a fabulous stay at the Luxe, your commitment to sevice is of the highest of standards. I will be coming over in July and closer to that time will book my dates with you.
Best Regards
Marilyn.Bracks.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Ilori

Visit ILORI to see the most avant-garde in sunglass shapes, colors and materials. Not to mention the unusual and fabulous holiday window! Created by artist Paul Foley, the window is one of the most interesting to appear on The Drive for years. Welcome and thank you.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Golden Compass

Australians in Film screened The Golden Compass last night. It is set in a parallel universe where every human being has an animal companion called a daemon that reflects the person's inner self. Noticeably cool and intellectual, there are underpinnings of authoritarian rule versus self will. Left me wondering what my daemon might be.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Vod Box

The crowning moment for our commendable dinner at Nic's Martini Lounge was the visit to the Vod Box. Mitch Hunter, General Manager, and Larry Nicola escorted Andy Harris and me into the vodka room, aka The Vod Box, but not until offering faux fur coats. For all of the restaurant's gracious human element and the warm welcome from Mitch and Larry, the box is COLD. There were rye vodkas, wheat vodkas, grape vodkas, filtered and unfiltered vodkas. Frankly, I lost count as I perused the floor to ceiling shelves of bottles. Andy and I sipped a few varieties. Highly recommended - "Chtob vse byli zdorovy".

Nic's Martini Lounge

Thank you Larry Nicola for a splendid evening at Nic's Martini Lounge. Chef Brendan outdid himself, sending dishes of scrumptious bites to our table. The restaurant is one of the best values in Beverly Hills. The duck entree was perfect! We loved the holiday decorations and the new artwork too. Grazia. You are the consummate host.

Monday, December 3, 2007

A Happy Guest

Wendy,
Thank you. I had a great stay.
Nice quote!
A
Adam Golinczak, Project Manager
Barteluce Architects & Associates