San Francisco, Day 1
We actually trudged all the way up to the top of Nob Hill from the Powell BART station last night, which probably wasn't a good idea after sitting on a plane for about six hours. When we were finally checking into the Fairmont (we'll be here for two nights before switching to the Parc55, which was full) they didn't have the room available that I'd booked on Expedia (a you-can't-cancel-your-reservation rate that was only $1 more than the special event room rate we're getting at the Parc55) so they upgraded us--about FIVE grades upward, to a suite with a balcony and an ethereal view of fog-enshrouded San Francisco. Take a look:
They also brought up fold-away beds for the kids, so they each got their own bed in the sitting room. It worked out really well. I have no idea what this suite normally costs but I'm guessing it's a damn sight more than what we're actually paying! (We managed this in New York once, too, also getting a suite with a furnished balcony.)
I was feeling slightly under-the-weather when we got to the room, so I stayed in and just got a salad and ginger ale from room service while Chris and the kids went to Lori's Diner, a 50's-themed place we passed on our trudge up Powell Street. This morning (it's actually three hours earlier than the time that will be on this post because I haven't bothered changing my computer clock) we'll be going to the rainforest exhibit at the science museum and tonight we have tickets for Half-Blood Prince, since I didn't want to risk our not being able to see it last night, if our flight was delayed or we were just done-in by the trip. (And considering that I really was done-in, I'm certainly glad I wasn't trapped watching a film for 2.5 hours.)
Informal poll (since I'm also feeling too lazy to do a real poll right now):
When the front desk clerk said the original room wasn't available because of "technical difficulties", this was code for:
a) the previous occupants trashed the room sufficiently to require a complete renovation
b) the housekeeping didn't have it ready in time
c) we took so long to get up to the top of Nob Hill they thought we weren't coming and gave it to someone else
d) the plumbing exploded all over the place
e) other
They also brought up fold-away beds for the kids, so they each got their own bed in the sitting room. It worked out really well. I have no idea what this suite normally costs but I'm guessing it's a damn sight more than what we're actually paying! (We managed this in New York once, too, also getting a suite with a furnished balcony.)
I was feeling slightly under-the-weather when we got to the room, so I stayed in and just got a salad and ginger ale from room service while Chris and the kids went to Lori's Diner, a 50's-themed place we passed on our trudge up Powell Street. This morning (it's actually three hours earlier than the time that will be on this post because I haven't bothered changing my computer clock) we'll be going to the rainforest exhibit at the science museum and tonight we have tickets for Half-Blood Prince, since I didn't want to risk our not being able to see it last night, if our flight was delayed or we were just done-in by the trip. (And considering that I really was done-in, I'm certainly glad I wasn't trapped watching a film for 2.5 hours.)
Informal poll (since I'm also feeling too lazy to do a real poll right now):
When the front desk clerk said the original room wasn't available because of "technical difficulties", this was code for:
a) the previous occupants trashed the room sufficiently to require a complete renovation
b) the housekeeping didn't have it ready in time
c) we took so long to get up to the top of Nob Hill they thought we weren't coming and gave it to someone else
d) the plumbing exploded all over the place
e) other