Is NPS spoiled? Yes. Does that make life harder for hotels and airlines when it comes to expectations? Yes. Welcome to the world of high end travel.
2018 started with a trip across the country on the NPS “trip across the country” airline—Virgin America. Or what’s left of it anyway. Virgin America is becoming more and more like Alaska. And frankly, that sucks. Sure, we’re MVP Gold on Alaska by default. But who cares? Going from the Nordstrom’s world to JC Penny is not gonna cut it.
Here’s an example of what is happening to Virgin America. The checkin process at Dulles was always super friendly, efficient, and FAST. Now there is a line and it is a line of Alaska flyers.
A first, and not good. Congestion @VirginAmerica 2018. Looks like @AlaskaAir pic.twitter.com/G7LlqlnlAn
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) January 15, 2018
The flight across the country was just fine after using cash money to upgrade to First. So there’s that.
Next came the wrong room problem at the Buchanan in San Francisco (216 versus 316 or 416). Sadly this happens almost every time we stay here. Sure, NPS helped to establish the Kimpton InTouch program years ago (now known as Karma and soon to be known as IHG Rewards Club (blech)), but super elite Kimpton/IHG status does nothing to add to the number of available Kimpton rooms we like in San Francisco. The staff at the Buchanan does all they can to accommodate demand. But demand is just outstripping supply. And as a demander, well the market is about to speak.
Time’s up you guys, only two OK quality San Francisco Kimpton properties still?? IHG needs to step it up in this city. Really.
Of course, Emily Glick and her people get all the blowback in public, but really it is corporate that is at fault by this stage. Hopefully Emily will forgive us for making clear what we expect!
216 has a few of problems from the NPS perspective. Number one is that the shower needs a better shower head. Water pressure is not sufficient. At least it’s a glass cube! Number two, the room is ADA sanctioned and we are not special needs campers. That means the closet is not usable, and the tub is a mess of machines. Number three, the second floor is too close to the street and it is noisy.
So no more 216 for us. We’ll just have to stay elsewhere next visit.
Of course, Japantown is great and the Buchanan is hip and well located. Staying here is always a good thing.
Yeah, we brought the violin and even managed to play some music with our friends in Oakland.
Some data from San Francisco. Sweet Maple is a great place for breakfast and so is The Grove. For a real Japantown meal, try to find Kui Shin Bo.
Dinner at Flour+Water is just as fantastic as ever. The Progress is, likewise, a very good place to eat (and unlike its sister next door, you can walk in).
The Dando from The Progress
1 oz rye
.75 oz amaro angelino
.5 aperol
1 oz meyer lemon juice
.5 oz pear shrub
shake. up. large cube.
Quiet early dinner @thePROGRESS_sf pic.twitter.com/D78sNZfH8Q
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) January 16, 2018
Cocktails at Wildhawk are highly recommended.
Excellent drinks last night #wildhawk sf pic.twitter.com/Kdasg7qm1R
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) January 18, 2018
This time three showerheads for the Buchanan’s failed Tetris game. No more games of chance for NPS. 2018 is gonna be interesting.
Filed in cocktail recipe, hotel, mixology, restaurant, virgin america
Tags: cocktail recipe, drink, emily glick, flour+water, flying, hotel, IHG, japantown, kimpton, mixology, restaurant, san fraccisco, san fran, san francisco, sweet maple, the dando, the grove, the progress, travel, virgin america, wildhawk
Buchanan Gets it Right in San Francisco
February 12, 2017
Want to be near the Pacific in a terrific city? San Francisco can do that for you.
This visit included a bug free stay at the Buchanan Hotel in Japantown where Emily G and her excellent co-workers made us feel especially welcome. Here’s how.
First, the giant tetris game that is specific hotel room request came out in our favor and we secured 416 (the best room in the property with lots of windows and a great bathroom).
Second, yellow roses!
Third, a mystery gift…
Arrival was delightful.
416 has a spacious bathroom with a glass shower. No plastic showers!!
A little rain never hurt anything. Especially in drought stricken California. The fact that the weather was perfect for the weekend was, well, perfect.
With the expert help of Jacob, Saturday’s itenerary was outstanding.
Brunch at Foreign Cinema was first. We used the show up at 10:45 and walk right in at 11 hack.
Yes please @ForeignCinemaSF @sfjacob pic.twitter.com/628CoKhS1w
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 11, 2017
Alsi yes that too @ForeignCinemaSF @sfjacob pic.twitter.com/LHGXBUQ9Z3
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 11, 2017
Followed by a quick last minute stint at the Farmer’s Market
And a trip to Lands End.
Cocktail hour was spent at the always fantastic Smuggler’s Cove for tiki, rum, and conversation. A meeting of the secret book club was held.
Dinner was at The Progress. Super fantastic, rollicking fun time. And the food was good too!
Eating @thePROGRESS_sf. Delicious.
Caviar cloud.
Lamb tartar. pic.twitter.com/en3Jf8Kl0i— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
Sunday should start with a great brunch, say at the Hillside Supper Club.
Brunch on a gorgeous morning @hillsidesupper pic.twitter.com/CW7sa8HAPK
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
Mimosa and bloody mary morning @hillsidesupper pic.twitter.com/nSoi1mr8dB
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
And then a trip to Napa on a gorgeous day! Domaine Carneros is a great target, especially if you have club privileges.
Beautiful day in Napa @carnerosresort pic.twitter.com/YopIGjgsLq
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
One of my favorite wines in the world is Old Hill from Ravenswood.
Gorgeous day and no wimpy wines @RavenswoodWine pic.twitter.com/7gUktHMl1T
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 13, 2017
Pizza evening (due to a 2 hour wait at the sushi place we targetted) was followed by a visit to the delightful Churchhill bar. This is a low key almost dive like neighborhood place with an outstanding collection of serious booze.
Great times with @mmadou @churchillsf. Serious juice on hand. pic.twitter.com/xgGk8RYSeN
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 13, 2017
In other San Francisco fun NPS gladly notes the following establishments:
lunch (every day) at cafe claude
ramen in Japantown at Waraku
fun and games with superb cocktails at Forgery
world class brunch at Plow
jacques incredible cocktails in a relaxed and gorgeous room at Wildhawk
outstanding food at rich table
About which these twitterz:
Just eat @RichTable. Outstanding. pic.twitter.com/BtNk432Neu
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 17, 2017
Turns out that @Wildhawk_SF is even more fantastic that NPS imagined. Wow @LoveTequila. Wow. @foodiewinoSF
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 17, 2017
Finally @Wildhawk_SF @LoveTequila pic.twitter.com/1QVkoVqNb9
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 17, 2017
Brunch @plow_sf with @foodiewinoSF (@MacCocktail) pic.twitter.com/QJ1g4csrAp
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 16, 2017
Thursday madness was particularly fun this iteration.
Five showerheads with a wink and a nod for the Buchanan where everything went as planned.
Filed in hotel, mixology, restaurant
Tags: bourbon, buchanan, cafe claude, chruchill bar, churchhill, domaine carneros, farmer's market, foreign cinema, forgery, george t stagg, hillside supper club, jacques bezuidenhout, japantown, kimpton, lands end, mixology, naoa, old hill zin, pacific, pacific ocean, plow, ravenswood, restaurant, rich table, rum, san francisco, sf, smuggler's cove, the progress, tiki, travel, waraku, wildhawk, william larue weller