How many times have you tried checking into a hotel after a long red-eye and were told rooms won't be available until 3PM. Well, many thanks to the man who introduced the innovative 24-hour check-in policy to the industry that many distinguished hotels follow today. His name is Ali Kasikci, the Managing Director of The Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel.
Turkish born Kasikci was profiled today by the USA Today. What grabbed my attention was his selection as one of the top three hoteliers in the world by Gourmet Magazine, and as the 2004 hotelier of the world by Hotels Magazine, as well as his 20-plus year experience within the hospitality industry, including a 5-year stint in my hometown - The Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at Cornell University's famed hotel school.
His current hotel, The Peninsula, is the only hotel in southern California to win the Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star Award and the AAA Five Diamond Award (its restaurant, The Belvedere, named "Best Hotel Restaurant in Southern California" by the 2005 Zagat Survey), and is often home to many stars, including during last week's sold out Oscar event.
However, you don't have to be a celebrity to receive exceptional treatment by Kasikci and his staff. All employees are instructed to learn the names of the guests, and as much information of their personal likes and dislikes through observation and exceptional research, which would be the envy of the CIA.
I recommend the place highly, and if you do ever stay there, don't forget to thank Mr. Kasikci for a job well done.
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