The Ladies with the Lamps

Last week we received our long-awaited shipment of 300 new lamps for our guest rooms.  We are replacing every lamp in every room in the hotel with new style lamps, made to be much more user-friendly. 

Here are some photos, both silly and serious, of our work.

 Karen and Lindsay were great at assembling the lamps with their bases.

 Claire always make sure we have fun at whatever we do.

 Christine had the task of cutting off all of the plastic wrappings on about 200 lamp shades!  She was a good sport!!

 New floor lamps bring light right over your shoulder for good reading on the sofa.

 These are our favorite new lamps.  They have two outlets built into the base, so if you need to charge a cellphone, or iPod, or computer, the power is at your fingertips!

The pineapple is the universal symbol of hospitality. 

While not pictured here, some of the lamps are now wall-mounted to give light closer to where it is needed, without taking up precious space, especially in our smaller rooms.

I hope you enjoy this additional enhancement to our gracious guest rooms.  And stay tuned -- there are more improvements yet to come this winter.  I mean LOTS more!

I hope to see you here.

Juli

My Little Gifts to Myself

Have you ever just decided to treat yourself to your own holiday, staying within a certain budget? Or maybe not staying within a certain budget? And truthfully, isn't it fun to shop for yourself anyway?

As I mentioned recently, I've been a little under the weather, so not my usual running around like a crazy person during the holiday season. Although I did take a moment to visit one of my favorite shops, which I'll tell you about this week.

In any event, I needed a little "pick me up," and I was able to do it right from the comfort of home.

Here are some of the gifts I bought myself and stayed under $250 for all. AND, it gave me immediate gratification, which is always nice when you're under the weather.

1. Monkey Bar Flannel Pajamas - I love the circus. I love pink, and I love pajamas. Who could resist these flannel monkey pj's by Nick & Nora for Target. $24.99

2. I am not comfortable in high heels, but want to be taller. I want my feet to be warm and toasty. These waterproof, faux fur-lined 2.5" heel boots are the most comfortable I've ever worn, and they make me tall. Love them. Cougar Moula, Zappos. $124

3. Lately I've been really into Victorian jewelry, so I was thrilled to pick up a copy of this out of print book, Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures at Amazon. $18.15

4. How dare Laura Mercier discontinue my favorite creamy blush? The one that leaves a "dewy" finish unlike powder blushes. The one that lasts for two years. Well, thanks to Amazon, I found the discontinued color. Not cheap, but I have it now and it lasts forever. "Illuminating Stick, Golden Rose Glow." $29.99

5. I saw this jewel tape on line. It's designed by Paris-based jeweler Marie-Héléne de Taillac, whose jewelry is unbelievable and shop is exquisite. Of course I don't know what I'll use it for, but I had to have it! nonesuchthings.com £7.50

6. I can never have enough candles, so I was thrilled to find these decorative ceramic soy candles online. Beautiful cracked containers that are useful after the candles burn. In every scent imaginable and the prices are great. Swan Creek Candle Company $10-12

7. Pretty, pretty bath salts with a picture of my favorite place, The Cliff House in San Francisco. Bluebird Bath Salts. $5

Tell me, have you treated yourself to any holiday gifts?

The Ritz Carlton Dearborn Takes a Bow

A quiet corner table for two at the former Ritz Carlton's The Grill dining room

The Ritz Carlton Hotel Dearborn...What was once the La Grande Dame of the Detroit society class is quietly taking a bow as she fades into the sunset like the golden Michigan sun on a cold winter night on Lake Michigan. This summer, the Ritz was bought by a new owner committed to transform this elegant beauty into a modern classic. The Henry Hotel, as it stands now, will undergo a major renovation in the next couple of months to give the hotel, and the

beleaguered Motor City, a breath of new life as it undergoes its transformation.

I took these pictures this past weekend to give loyal Ritz Carlton Dearborn guests one final glimpse of the classic interiors before the hotel begins its transformation at the end of December.

"The special occasion hotel," according to The Henry Hotel general manager, Bill Quiseng, " has lost some steam to the younger generation demanding a more modern take on the luxury experience. That's what we plan on delivering when we complete our renovation by next summer."

While I embrace change, there is a part of me that just doesn't want to let go of that turn of the century style hotel this country has embraced for the past century. For me, there is still room for the white tablecloth and table side service, the dinner jackets and ties and the gentleman's dirty martini at the hotel's mahogany lobby bar. Though it's fading quite quickly, I am only hopeful that there will still be a number of hotels that will remain standing as a reminder of the glory days of the twentieth century. 

A bright sunrise is about to wake up on the banks of the Detroit river. A new dawn, that this hotel, and this city, wishes will only last for at least another century.

Her last song

The Grill dining room

The Piano Lounge

Lover's banquette tables

Decorative wall sconce

Two-top table in the Grill

Cozy Piano Lounge

The signature Ritz Carlton lobby's last Christmas

Ballroom pre-function

Ballroom pre-function seating area

The concierge lounge on the 10th floor

Salem News Covers Early-Bird Halloween Reservations

Here is an article from the Salem News that features several of our regular Hawthorne Hotel guests.  I thought you might like to read it.

http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1293917631/Halloween-rooms-almost-sold-out

And of course, as always, I hope to see you here.

Juli

Double Elegance!

Let me introduce you to the icons of San Francisco, the Brown Twins. Marian and Vivian Brown (born January, 1927) are identical twins known for their signature identical stylish outfits and hats atop their meticulously coiffed hair.

The Browns pretty much have a cult-like following in San Francisco. Someone is always taking their picture. They've often been in the media, including television ads. I've even seen them on greeting cards.

I've had the rare opportunity to pass them by while shopping downtown. What an elegant pair. They walk alike, talk alike, and always have a smile on their face. They remind me of "old San Francisco." Going "downtown" in your classiest attire. Hats, gloves and all.

This pair came to San Francisco from Milwaukee in 1970, and remind me of what the City (all cities) used to be like. Elegance and class. Heavens no, they wouldn't step out the house without lipstick!


The Browns used to drive twin Oldsmobiles; white with black dashboards. They drove them off the parking lot at the dealership at the same time.

The twins reside in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Just before 6 p.m. every Monday, Vivian and Marian Brown walk arm-in-arm up Powell Street to Uncle Vito's restaurant. Once there, they wait in chairs side by side for table No. 2, where they split a small pizza with everything on it and a slice of carrot cake. Each gets her own glass of Merlot. Isn't that the cutest?

So if you happen to be doing some holiday shopping in downtown San Francisco this holiday season, keep your eyes open for the Brown sisters. They are absolutely delightful and we're so lucky to have them as part of our eccentric city!

Oh, and here is a cute interview that the Brown sisters gave last year.

images; BeBe LeStrange, Sparkletack, JPG Magazine, Wikiepedia, Susan Ragan

The Exceptional Associates at The Henry Hotel

Marty, The Henry Hotel's service ambassador bidding farewell to my wife and family

This past weekend's trip to Detroit was meant to be a low-key and quick overnighter for my family: arrive on Saturday afternoon, go to Ford Field to watch our high school football team play in the state championship, have a late dinner and leave after breakfast the next day. As in previous trips to Detroit, we elected to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn; a charming hotel in this once vibrant part of the Motor City. The Ritz Carlton Dearborn changed flags six months ago
and is now The Henry Hotel - an independent hotel which is part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. My family always had pleasant stays at the old Ritz Carlton. But our latest experience has redefined personal service beyond our imagination.

Upon arrival at The Henry, I was surprised that Hassan, the doorman, greeted me by name. He did the same for my wife along with a pleasant welcome to my kids. Let's just say that I don't recall ever meeting Hassan in previous visits, so his personal touch was an impressive first impression. Hassan had our keys in hand (another WOW) and escorted us to the lobby where he introduced us to the awaiting  Chris, our bell person. Chris took charge from that point and just like Hassan, he did a fantastic job of making us feel at home. In my room awaits a wonderful display of cheese, petit fours, flowers and a bottle of wine while the kids room had a plate of cookies and perfectly cut fruit. There was a welcome letter from the general manager next to the "Welcome to the Henry" plate of petit fours. Within ten minutes of our arrival, our low-key trip has been transformed into a memorable visit; thanks in part to the personal attentiveness of the staff at The Henry Hotel. 

During our breakfast this morning, the same level of personalized touches greeted us upon our arrival at the restaurant. Jack was a pleasant host, along with our server Patricia and a sleuth of other restaurant staff who graciously serviced our table. My kids are used to "VIP" service given my role, but the friendly attention given to us by every associate we encountered at The Henry Hotel made them feel like celebrities. 

After breakfast, I approached the morning doorman, Marty, who just like last night before we headed to the game, greeted me by name and offered to warm up my car before our departure. Marty, just like majority of the associates at The Henry Hotel, are Ritz Carlton Dearborn veterans. The service foundation is clearly embedded in their DNA, but this time, a spark of enthusiasm and genuine care is evident in their rebirth as associates of The Henry Hotel.

This level of care is no surprise to me given who has taken the helm at The Henry. The awareness of guest names (and what they look like), the genuine welcome and fond farewells are signature gold standards from general manager Bill Quiseng. This 30-year hotel veteran epitomizes customer service in the fact that wherever he goes, his associates have no problem embracing his service philosophy of providing a one-of-a-kind experience for their guests. True luxury can only be experienced and Bill Quiseng wrote the book about it. Bill was formerly with the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Renaissance Hotel and Resort in northern Michigan. He started his tenure at The Henry Hotel this summer and has been given the task of transforming the hotel into a viable business in the years to come. The hotel has begun their guest room renovation, and in the next couple of weeks, will embark on renovating her public spaces and restaurant into a more modern feel than her current interiors.

It is always sad to see an old gem fade away. Thank god for the new owner of this hotel for he sees how "old gems," with a little care (and money), could transform a weary beauty of a hotel into taking on a whole new life. But be reminded that even the best looking hotels loses its beauty without the genuine care of associates. At least for now, The Henry Hotel doesn't have to worry about the latter. 

Travel Essential: Clear 4G+Mobile USB

Accessing my blog at Chicago O'Hare

My wife and kids give me a hard time because I travel with a bag full of technology and equipment. If Steve Jobs happens to sit next to me in a plane, he would be pleased to know that I usually travel with my Mac Book Pro, 2 to 3 iPods (depending on the length of trip), a Bose headset and an Oakley bag (both items bought at the Apple store). Add

to that my Nikon D-40 SLR, and most recently, my Canon PowerShot G-12. That's just how I roll.

While I do most of my work and blogging inside my hotel room or in the hotel lobby where I am able to have access to the internet, my new found travel companion has been a godsend on long airport layovers and at hotel's with overpriced internet charges. Clear has asked me to test drive their new Clear 4G+ Mobile USB Series S device for the past couple of months. I expected a USB device the size of a brick, which I have seen with many travelers, but instead, I received a tiny round device the size of a squash ball. Definitely more my style.

I have been weary of using airport wireless service because my wife's laptop died after some weird virus affected her computer at O'Hare. Perhaps it's just paranoia on my part but I certainly wouldn't want that to happen to my Mac. So on my latest trips to New York, Chicago and Miami, my Clear mobile was my sidekick. I had no problem accessing the internet at the Hotel Gansevoort in the middle of midtown Manhattan.  On my trip to Miami, I got stuck at BWI for four hours. I took advantaged of the down time by catching up on my backlog of emails. This surprised my assistant, Sharon, because I usually never send her emails and work during my travel days. Gone are the days of light workload when the boss is away. My travel days now mean more work for Sharon; something which she finds very amusing.

While the 4G service is limited to a handful of states, the 3G service is very sufficient for my needs. The Clear mobile USB was easy to install and connects online pretty easily. I can only imagine this service becoming more popular and more available in the next couple of months. So far, so good. 

But it was this weekend when I finally conceded that I cannot live without my Clear mobile USB. My family and I drove to Detroit to watch our local high school team compete for the state football championship (which they won). My three kids brought their iPods and listened to their tunes. While I jammed to my music set, my wife borrowed my laptop, and with the assistance of my Clear mobile USB, she blissfully researched the kid's Christmas presents online for two hours without any interruption from the kids and the internet service. A happy wife is always a welcome treat.

If you are looking for a Christmas stocking stuffer for your traveling spouse, I would highly recommend this tech gadget as a good alternative to that argyle sweater you were thinking about. 

Plug and play. Simple. 

And it folds for easy storage

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ November 29 through December 5, 2010

Our flags this week are following the normal alphabetical order.  Flags of the United Nations, and the flags of all the States and Territories of the U.S.A. are changed out daily, on the front of the Hawthorne Hotel. 

Monday , November 29 ~~ Cameroon and District of Columbia


Tuesday , November 30 ~~ Canada and Florida

Wednesday , December 1 ~~ Cape Verde and Georgia

Thursday , December 2 ~~ Central African Republic and Guam

Friday , December 3 ~~ Chad and Hawaii

Saturday , December 4 ~~ Chile and Idaho

Sunday , December 5 ~~ China and Illinois

If you have a special request, please let us know.  Call 978-825-4322.

We hope to see you here.

Juli

JW Marriott Welcomes "Svelata"

Mia Tavonatti's Svelata glass mosaic masterpiece is currently displayed inside the JW Marriott Grand Rapid's rock wall entry. Svelata claimed second prize among over 1,800 artists in this year's ArtPrize competition. Michigan native

Tavonatti, who currently resides in Santa Ana, California, spent 2,700 hours creating Svelata.

After seeing the piece from a distance, I thought it was a very nice painting. It wasn't until I was a few feet from the work did I realized that it was a glass mosaic art. 

Svelata will be displayed at the JW Marriott until the end of February 2011.

Having Fun and a Lovely Cake

[Cheryl Ennis mugs for Mike O'Meara's camera before the event begins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recently we were the host site for a lovely christening party.  The cake, provided by the guests, was just too irresistible for our staff, and they hammed it up a bit before anyone arrived.

I love that our team can have fun while still providing the very best in service to our guests.  I hope you enjoy seeing this playful side of life, in a few 'behind the scenes' photos, too. 

Our client was very happy to let us post these photos, which also makes us very happy.  We know that means they also enjoyed themselves!



The cake was quite darling, as this close-up shows.

We hope to see you here.

Juli

Treats from Paris Hotel Boutique!

I hope that all of you in the states had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Today kicks off the official holiday shopping season and I'm thrilled to tell you about my favorite chocolatier, Maison Bouche, and their new chocolat lines!

But before I do, I wanted to let you know that every purchase from Paris Hotel Boutique through the end of the year will receive Maison Bouche chocolat!!

Maison Bouche (literally translated as "house of the mouth") is named after the sumptuous kitchens at Versailles, and based here in the Bay Area. Maison Bouche's packaging is as divine as the scrumptious taste of their confections.

Diane, the owner of Maison Bouche has pulled out the stops with 4 new lines; Holiday 2010, New Year's, Bonne Année and Liqueurs. The wrappers are divine, taken from old French ephemera. The flavors are amazing;

Liqueurs; Champagne, Rum, Cassis, Chartreuse, Absinthe, Cognac, Whiskey Kirsch and Génépy. Each are Noir (dark) and come in a medium bar or gift box collection.

Holiday 2010; Flavors in the Noir set; Fleur de Sel, Cherry Clafoutis, Mint, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Chestnut, Sage and Candied Orange, Curry with Candied Ginger, Café and Pear with Black Pepper.

Flavors in the Lait set; Fleur de Sel, Cherry Clafoutis, Mint, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Tarte Tatin, Balsamic Fig and Cranberries, Café and Pistachio with Candied Orange.

New Year's & Bonne Année; Fleur de Sel & Champagne

These are truly amazing as I just received my large assortment... all ready for you, my loyal customers, as a little token of my thanks!

So, if you're looking for a unique item, visit Maison Bouche website here to purchase their divine chocolat, OR, make a purchase at Paris Hotel Boutique and receive a complimentary chocolat (s)!

Happy Shopping!

This Comment Card Made Us Smile

. . . in appreciation for this guest who took the time to tell us about their wonderful stay.  Thank you so much!  We love to hear from our guests.  If you need to see this more clearly, simply click on the image.

Juli

Thanksgiving Day Photos

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Here is the link to all of the photos we took today.   We hope you enjoyed your special day with us, and that we will see you again soon.

Juli and the Team of the Hawthorne Hotel

http://picasaweb.google.com/HawthorneHotel/ThanksgivingAtHawthorneHotel2010#5543302426920439986

Thanksgiving Greetings.

Wishing all of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving. And for our friends outside of the US, Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Enjoy your long weekend everyone!

Salem and the Hawthorne Welcome NEACTC

The Hawthorne was proud to host the The New England Association of City and Town Clerks' Annual Conference last week.

The NEACTC program included the following description of what attendees could expect: "The Conference Committee has conjured the most bewitching potion of spellbinding educational courses, magical food, charming tours, and captivating camaraderie."

Here are scenes from a few of the activities enjoyed by conference participants.

The Hawthorne's Thomas MacDonald, Assistant Director of Sales, with Marlene Chused, Town Clerk of Sharon, MA, enjoying the welcome reception at the East India Marine Hall at the Peabody Essex Museum.

Entertainment at the reception was provided by The Jolly Rogues.

Mayor Kim Driscoll welcomed attendees to Salem during Thursday's luncheon in the Ballroom.

We enjoyed having the NEACTC conference at the Hawthorne and hope attendees enjoyed all that Salem has to offer.

We hope to see you (and your conference) here!

Juli

Thankful for Green Bean Casserole.

What would Thanksgiving dinner be without that traditional green bean casserole?

This dish created by Campbell's soup in 1955 has become a staple for the Thanksgiving meal. Oh sure, you can try versions with fresh green beans and various sauces, but personally, give me the canned string beans and the good old Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup. I love the crispy onion layer on the top.

This is the perfect comfort food. I even saw Trader Joe's had their own version. I so wish I had my Grandmother's plastic casserole tray that she used to serve it in. It was so retro cool --was oven-proof and everything.

Here are a couple of other classics Thanksgiving dishes mentioned on one of my favorite blogs, Old Hat. Let's give them a nod...

We have the very 60's ambrosia salad. Who can resist that mixture? Personally I love it...

I'm not sure about how I feel about tangy creamed turkey casserole. I think I'd rather stick with the traditional turkey.

Do you have any favorite dishes that make a traditional appearance on your Thanksgiving dinner table?

...oh, and if you'd like any of the above recipes, I'm happy to post, but figured you already had them ;)