Stay Connected with THE US GRANT
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THE US GRANT is celebrating its 100th Anniversary on October 15, 2010. The hotel is a landmark, an icon, a legend and a symbol. Since opening its doors 1910, travelers and adventurers have found excitement, tranquility, romance and opportunity at THE US GRANT. As part of our Centennial Celebration, we invite you to share your experiences - recent and past memories of the hotel. This is "Your Story" and it is part of the many experiences that make THE US GRANT exceptional.
Just as these stories have shaped the hotel for the past 100 years, our future guests will tell the story of the next 100 years. Our guests are the past, present and future of THE US GRANT. We invite new guests to share dreams about how they hope to experience our iconic hotel. Whether it is a romantic weekend getaway or a grand affair, we want to hear from you.
During our anniversary year of 2010, one special story, past or future, will be chosen by key hotel staff members during the months of February through September. For each of these months, the winner will receive a two-night stay at THE US GRANT, and be eligible for the grand prize package drawing - An Epicurean Adventure for Two in San Diego. The drawing will be announced on October 15, 2010 - the official 100th Anniversary of the hotel. The grand prize drawing, An Epicurean Adventure for Two, includes two round-trip airline tickets (up to $1,000.00 total value) to San Diego within the Continental U.S., a three night stay at THE US GRANT in the Presidential Suite, a wine pairing dinner for two at the Grant Grill, and a 2.5 hour sailing adventure aboard Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup, complete with a picnic basket prepared by the hotel’s Executive Chef.
We invite you to please click the "Share Your Story" button. Photos and videos may be incorporated in to your post by attaching them to your submission. The subject of your email will be the title of the submission. Thank you for sharing your story!
Hello to all that read My Story. July 20th 2010 was my first time staying at the US Grant Hotel. The occasion was in part to celebrate my 45 Birthday We were just coming from Laguna Beach where our daughter had just celebrated her wedding.We thought what a nice way to end our blessed event.
From the first time I was contacted from the Hotel, I felt welcomed. I had received emails prior to my arrival. Demi assisted me with all that I had requested.It was more then I had expected in hotel services. Her professionalism was noticed and greatly appreciated. I was pleasantly greeted with a Birthday cake waiting for me in my suite. I had been upgraded with my SPG Platnium status.The room was amazing and beautiful.The bed is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. The service from the entire staff was outstanding.They met every request and assistance needed.
The restraunt was perfect As we sat to enjoy appetizers with some cocktails, we were able to relax with a view of the city .The US Grant is a beautiful hotel and also has a wonderful location.We went shopping at Horton Plaza which is 2 or 3 blocks away. Mark at the conceirge's desk made recommendations as well as our reservations at Asti a Italian restraunt. There again perfect.Walking down the Gaslamp district is very enjoyable. Whether you are looking for entertainment ,a cup of coffee, a movie , dancing, a sports event or just plain people watching.I had such a great experience on my birthday that a second opportunity arose while I was there that I decided to plan a second stay at the US Grant the following weekend. I had my same outstanding services and requests met before even departing on the 21st. This is what makes a hotel one that you can call outstanding. You don't get these services by all It sets this hotel apart from some of the rest...
I have just returned from my second stay and have the same comments about my experience.This is not a coinsidence this is the US Grant! It has become my number one choice if given the opportunity in Hotels. Once you have gone and experience the beauty,elegance,class and fabulous accomodations you too may be choosing it as your number one hotel.I highly reccommend it. It will only take one time to fall in love.
Sincerely
Lydia Durazo
Dear US Grant Hotel,
I am a friend of Ulysses Grant Dietz, the Grand-Nephew of Fannie and Ulysses S. Grant, Jr. and the Great-Great Grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant, the namesake of your hotel.
According to your website, Great-Aunt Fannie purchased the hotel in 1895, as a gift for her husband, Great-Uncle Ulysses, Jr. The luxury hotel was subsequently renovated and unveiled on October 15, 1910, 100 years ago. The Hotel was dedicated to the memory of Great-Uncle Ulysses, Jr.'s father, President Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.
Ulysses Grant Dietz is the Senior Curator, Curator of Decorative Arts for the Newark Museum, which is also celebrating it's Centennial Jubilee. Newark, New Jersey is historically an important jewelry manufacturing center, of the United States.Ulysses Grant Dietz is a renowned Jewelry and Decorative Arts Historian, as well as a Gifted Author and Speaker.
On May 14, 2010, The San Diego Natural History Museum unveiled it's two year exhibition"All That Glitters: The Splendor and Science of Gems and Minerals", curated by Elise Misiorowski. We are co-hosting a VIP Museum Tour of the exhibition for "The Fashionable Women of Chapman" a charitable support group that benefits Chapman University, located in Orange, California. The VIP "Fashionable" group tour of the "All That Glitters" exhibition is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
Now that I have serendipitously become acquainted with The US Grant Hotel, I have scheduled for Ulysses, and friends, to stay the night before our "All That Glitters" festivities, at The US Grant Hotel. This will be Ulysses first visit to the hotel.
Bejeweled treasures, on loan, from The Newark Museum are featured throughout the San Diego Natural History Museum exhibition "All That Glitters". Ulysses Grant Dietz has graciously agreed to be our "Celebrity" Museum Curator Docent for our VIP Tour of the collection.
The tour finale will be a memorable and delicious lunch with Ulysses, as our guest of honor. A few lucky guests, will win an autographed copy of Ulysses Grant Dietz's book, "Dream House: The White House As an American Home". I am "Wishing" that we can host our Grand Finale luncheon at your hotel.
It must be Serendipity, Synchronicity, Divine Providence, Celestial Inspiration, Great-Aunt Fannie and Great-Uncle Ulysses, Jr., and Great-Great Grandfather President Ulysses S. Grant's "Bejeweled Wish" that we host "The All That Glitters" Fashionable Women of Chapman's luncheon, at The US Grant Hotel.
We look forward to celebrating, with Ulysses Grant Dietz, the heritage and history of the The US Grant Hotel, during its Centennial Jubilee.
Bejeweled Wishes,
Mona Lee Nesseth
In August 2007 I embarked on a trip Southern California that was to be filled with new and exciting adventures. Being from the Midwest (specifically Ohio), I was so excited for all that this trip would hold, having never been to San Diego or California! So I packed my bags, headed west and arrived in Los Angeles. The first adventure was to see a theatre performance where one of my childhood friends had garnered a lead role. From there, I would drive with another friend to San Diego to spend the weekend and take in all that the city had to offer.
Still being a college student of meager means, my trip had been frugally planned out in advance and every detail looked after – so I thought. Keep in mind that I’m very tired after a cross country plane ride, sitting through a theatre performance and car trip from Los Angeles to San Diego with a few minor delays; a soft, clean bed was much needed! That was not what was waiting. Much to my surprise, the hotel that I had booked was under remodel and the room that I was provided was unkempt to put it mildly. Although I desperately needed sleep – I couldn’t subject myself or my friend to those conditions.
Frantically (and with much agitation I must admit) I called information and requested the names of hotels within a reasonable distance. I was provided with 5 or 6 suggestions, all of which I called and was advised that all had no availability, except the last one. I decided, it is harder to say no face to face, so I’ll go in and speak with someone! At the counter the young lady was extremely apologetic and advised that she had no available rooms. Me being the frustrated and burdened traveler asked “Fine, how much will you charge my friend and I to sleep on the couches in your lobby?” The young lady saw that I was clearly distraught and went to work. She took my name ,then provided me with a street map, said you have a reservation here and sent me on my way.
Imagine my shock and surprise when we arrived at the US Grant Hotel! I was awe struck! Upon entering the hotel at 3am in the morning, we were greeted by the most courteous and helpful staff, that to this day I have ever encountered. Since graduating college and obtaining my most recent position I travel often and still have not received the caliber of service that I received at the US Grant. The young lady at the counter made sure that our every need was attended to and no request was to great!
The rooms were phenomenal! Any feelings of exhaustion were overtaken by our excitement to be in such an incredibly beautiful & historic place and to have been treated with such kindness! It was truly a wonderful ending to what can only be described as a fateful beginning! We look forward to future trips and want to extend a GRATEFUL & SINCERE THANK YOU!
Congratulations on 100 Years!!!
Brandon Moore
Congratulations to our June “What’s Your Story” Winner – “My First Earthquake” by Alison Lands, recalling her first stay at THE US GRANT which also marked her first experience in an earthquake. We are happy you enjoyed both firsts, Alison, and thank you for sharing your story! We look forward to welcoming you back to THE US GRANT to redeem your two-night stay gift certificate, and you are now eligible to win our grand prize package – An Epicurean Adventure for Two.
As a practicing attorney I spent many, many lunches and dinners in the Grant Grill. On June 17, 1969 I received a call from Vern Shipp, the then owner of the U.S. grant Hotel. He reminded me of the policy that women were not admitted to the Grant Grill until after 3 p.m. and then stated that he had heard that a group of women lawyers were going to show up at noon and seek admittance. He had heard that they were to be accompanied by a television crew and asked what he should do. My legal advice was to save a booth and when they came welcome them and act as if the rule didn’t exist (which by then, by law, was illegal). The women and TV crew showed up at noon were promptly and politely served and a confrontation avoided. From that time on women were welcome whenever the Grant Grill was open. Today a plaque memorizing the event hangs over the reception podium.
Miles Harvey, who retired from Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps in 1990 after completing 30 years with the firm.
We were looking for a destination, close to our home in Carlsbad, just to get away for a couple of days and to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We decided that the US Grant would be an ideal site to do just that. After making the reservations, we spoke with Sergio at the front desk, told him why we were coming south and inquired about the possibility of an upgrade. Sergio couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. He asked if he couldn't call us back in an hour while he contacted his supervisor. In about an hour he called back to tell us that they had upgraded us to a suite. We were obviously very pleased. We found the whole two-day experience at the US Grant to be delightful. All the staff, from the concierge, the front desk, the bellmen, the valet personnel, etc. were extremely professional and friendly. The US Grant is beautifully located right on the trolley line and we took advantage of that to visit the USS Midway Museum, go on a GOcar ride through the Little Italy area and then to Seaport Village. We also strolled down to the Gas Lamp area and Horton Plaza. Our anniversary dinner was in the Grant Grill and it was an excellent meal with outstanding service. The whole hotel is beautifully and tastefully done and we appreciated the fine and friendly service.
I have wanted to stay at the US Grant since the first time I spied that gorgeous lobby back in January 2008. The historic-yet-modern décor and amazing food and wine caught my attention my first night in San Diego, and I swore that I would return to the city someday and stay there as a guest. I checked in on Monday, June 14th, to an amazing suite on the 8th Floor overlooking the Gaslamp. No sooner had I finished marveling at my amazing room, I heard the windows start to rattle in their casings. At first I thought the streetcar nearby was just making the old building quiver, but upon walking back into the living area, I noticed the entire room was moving – my first earthquake! Looking out into the 8th Floor hallway, I could see the chandelier crystals knocking together – the whole building swayed gently back and forth. But I was not worried, because I knew the US Grant was built to last and had probably withstood much worse – so I stood in the doorway and Facebooked to my family and friends about my first earthquake experience. In the distance, I could hear the crowd at Petco Park cheering the rumbling of the earth…I love it when people collectively bond over natural events. Although the quake lasted only about five minutes, the porter arrived shortly after with some strawberries and chocolate truffles to “soothe my nerves.” What a night – I live in hotel rooms 50 weeks a year, and yet I’m hard-pressed to say which experience was cooler – the earthquake or my stay at the US Grant!
Sincere Thanks,
Alison Lands
Congratulations to our May “What’s Your Story” Winner – “Big Brothers of America” recalling the conversation in a US GRANT elevator which sparked the creation of Big Brothers of America, San Diego chapter. Congratulations, Jack, and thank you for sharing your incredible story! We look forward to welcoming you back to THE US GRANT to redeem your two-night stay gift certificate and you are now eligible to win our grand prize package – An Epicurean Adventure for Two.
I was in need of a getaway where nobody knew who I was and where I was from. I made reservations at the US Grant based on the pictures from the website. I arrived under the porte-cochere and right away the attendant replied welcome and I replied thank-you. I walked into the lobby and the pictures I saw on the website did not do the hotel justice. The largest crystal chandeliers I ever saw guided me down beautiful carpeting to the check in desks. I felt like I was going to the academy awards. The check in staff said welcome Mr. Rahn and I was shocked they knew my name. I booked a standard suite that was much more than standard. I arrived into a corner suite with corner views of downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bridge. The staff became my friends as each day they would recommend things to do and ask how is my stay going. My problems were left tucked away thousands of miles away and I was in a new place. I made friends though-out the city and what was supposed to be a getaway where nobody knew me is now a second home. Thank-you for being my home away from home. Jonathan Rahn
I've only recently started visiting the US Grant, but since my first trip in October 2009, it has become my favorite hotel in San Diego, and I am writing this from a Signature Suite thanks to your excellent treatment of Starwood's Preferred Guests. Staff is always attentive and respectful of the guests, service-is top-notch and breakfast in the Grant Grill is a perfect way to start the day. Through my conversations with the US Grant on Twitter I feel like the hotel has a personality, I know it, and I am a valued guest that you want to return! Unfortunately, I don't have too many "stories" to tell about the US Grant... Because the beds are so comfortable, I usually find myself in blissful sleep when I am at the US Grant! On one visit, after a long drive from Los Angeles, I fell asleep during prime-time television and slept for twelve hours straight! Scott Schmidt West Hollywood, CA
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