The Chancellor Hotel does not have air conditioning

One thing that still seems to catch people by surprise (much to my surprise) is the fact that we do not have air conditioning. I don't know how people can book us, and not know that we do not have air conditioning, since every website has that information posted. It is also mentioned in probably 95% of our reviews on TripAdvisor. A quick perusal of reviews would clearly provide that information about us...but it keeps happening. What is not fair is when people book us knowing we do not have air conditioning and if they get caught in one of our rare heat waves, they get upset with us.

San Francisco does get about 15 days per year when it gets warm and air conditioning would be helpful. However, it does cool down at night and the heat rarely lasts longer than 2-3 days in row.

That said, even if we did have air conditioning, there still is no guarantee that everyone would be happy. I have seen many cases where the air conditioning was inadequate and people were still unhappy. It did not cool the room enough, it was broken or even when it was working properly, people still were not cool enough. The reality is, we would probably get the same number of complaints if we had air conditioning as we do without it. Thus, with our climate, the fact that we would get some complaints regardless of whether we had air conditioning or not, and it is much better for the environment, we do not plan on having air conditioning anytime soon...or ever.

If the thought of getting caught in one of our heat waves without air conditioning would ruin your trip, don't risk it. Book another hotel that has air conditioning - it's better for everyone.

Sold out!

The Giants Playoff Package was a very hot item. We sold out right away. If the Giants don't sweep it, I Hope it will go to 5 games and the Giants will return to San Francisco to win the last game on Wednesday. Of course, if that is the case, we will have packages available.

As a matter of fact, as long as the Giants are in the playoffs, we will have playoff packages available.

Go Giants!

San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves Baseball Playoff Package

We are very excited about the San Francisco Giants going to the playoffs against the Atlanta Braves, and the best part about is that we have tickets!

We have put together a great package that includes:

• A beautiful room
• Valet Parking
• A $25 food and beverage credit and
• Two lower box seats in Section 129 Row 19

All this for only $500 including all taxes and fees.

Call us toll free at 1-800-428-4748 if you are interested

First come first serve!

Go Giants!

SF Chefs Food.Wine Event in Union Square San Francisco

Our own Luques Restaurant located inside the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square Participated in the SF Chefs Grand Tasting Event in Union Square last weekend.

We served a rendition of our best selling lunch item, the Thai Style Shrimp and Papaya Salad topped with crispy shallots and chili lime dressing.

We were sandwiched in between the Grand Cafe and the restaurant from the 5 star Awanhee Hotel located in Yosemite Valley.

The entire plaza of Union Square was tented and hundreds of people bought tickets to wander around and speak to culinary experts and chefs while being able to sample their talents. There were several wineries, liquor companies, top restaurants, and culinary vendors all under one "roof" making the event a very special opportunity for fans of food and drink. I am looking forward to next year already.

Our Summer Interns

What did you do this summer? I think that is the typical back to school question for students all over the world. Hopefully, we gave two students from Galileo High School's Academy of Hospitality and Tourism some great stories.

We partner with the San Francisco Unified School District's academy program and we were lucky enough to have Kevin and John spend 6 weeks with us this summer making a little money and learning the hotel business.

They are two great young men and I hope they will join our industry when they finish school and join the workforce. It is our goal to introduce high school age folks to our industry and hope they will discover what a great industry it is and stick with it for a career. Even if John and Kevin don't make the hospitality industry their career, we are proud that we gave them their first real job and some positive experiences that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

John and Kevin served as bellmen, worked the front desk, reservations and even spent a day with me. I wish them luck and I think that whatever business hires them down the road will be very fortunate.

SF CHEFS 2010: San Francisco’s Second Annual Premier Food, Wine & Spirits Week

The SF Chefs Event is coming up next week. It was a huge success last year, and this year, we are participating. Our own Chef Lacy will be serving his best selling Shrimp and Papaya Salad at the Grand Tasting Event on Saturday, August 14th. Here is all the information on the event:

Taste, Mix, Pair & Engage! The country’s first and only urban food, wine and spirits festival takes over San Francisco’s legendary Union Square August 9 – 15. The Bay Area’s finest culinary masters will celebrate food, wine and spirits in the epicenter of taste innovation and creativity. The week-long culinary festival will take place throughout the City’s restaurants and the Grand Tasting Tent on Union Square.
Purchase tickets online with your VISA Signature® card and receive preferred pricing and special perks. And as a special offer for our friends, please use the promo code “ff2010,” at sfchefs2010.com
A celebration of regional flavor, the festival kicks off with SF Chefs Restaurant Week. Over 60 Bay Area restaurants will feature prix fixe showcase menus highlighting each restaurant’s unique talent. Check out the complete list of restaurants and make your reservations online or by phone!
The Grand Tasting Tent
The City's greatest Square is decked for an urban garden party and a truly unique culinary experience!

Friday, August 13th
Opening Night Celebration:“Hog in the Fog”
Celebrate with Wente Vineyards as celebrity chefs cut the 2010 ribbon and open the doors to a haven of food, wine, cocktails, music and dance. Guests will savor a range of dishes from whole roasted Duroc pig to summer vegetable tarts, courtesy of the National Pork Board, Cuesa Farmers Market and thirty of the Bay Area’s finest Chefs.

Saturday, August 14th
Wine & Dine Gala FoodRaiser 2010:“Fork it Over”
Mavens, mutton and mayhem! Delight in signature dishes featuring lamb partnered with wine and cocktails from both near and far. “Fork it Over” in support of the GGRA scholarship fund and the San Francisco Food Bank.

Saturday & Sunday Grand Tastings: August 13th & August 14th
Each afternoon features a different group of renowned restaurants, winemakers, distillers and brewers. In addition to sampling an amazing array of food and beverages, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy demonstrations by Bay Area rising stars and nationally celebrated chefs.

For more information, please visit www.sfchefs2010.com.

The Chancellor Hotel is trying some aromatherapy

Studies show the tremendous power of scent and aroma, and we want to take advantage of that power. Scent is the closest sense linked to memory, and after a hotel stay, all you have are the memories. It all starts in the brain with the limbic system. That is the part of the brain that governs emotion and emotion is a huge factor is making a hotel stay a great one.

We just started working with Scentair to create memories and soothe emotion by introducing soft and subtle scents that will enhance the public area experience.

I look forward to seeing how it goes. I suspect that it is not something that is missed if it is not there, but people will have a better experience with us, but they won't really know why.