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!
Filed under
Hotel Guest 1910-2009
Here is our story…My sisters and I found 184 letters written to our mother from our father during World War II. He was in the Navy, and he courted her with his letters. Through these letters, over about a year period, we learned about our Dad and the quite a bit about what life was like for a sailor during WWII. He talked in detail about each port, how long they were there, etc. Near the end of the war, their ship sailed into San Diego and my dad and his buddy stayed at the US Grant Hotel for several days. Our Dad will be celebrating his 85th birthday in September. We are planning a Fall trip by train to San Diego (from Los Angeles) where we plan to rent a car, visit the Maritime Museum and stay, this time all of us, at the US Grant Hotel. We still have the post card from the hotel he sent to her in 1945…the hotel looks the same.
In case you are curious, our parents married in June of 1946 and were married for 56 years. Our mother had always told us to be sure to read every single letter…she saved every single one…and the US Grant stood out at the end of his time in service.
Judy Hamilton-Cantu
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
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
San Diego had become a very important city in my life. And on one of my many
visits I was, as always, staying at the U. S. Grant Hotel. I had just left my
room and was in the elevator on my way to The Grant Grill for dinner. A
gentleman, (I would soon learn the man was Frank Rhodes) noticing the
lapel pin I was wearing he asked what it signified. The pin was small and round, red
enamel and gold, and showed a figure of a man one arm around the
shoulder of a boy with his other arm outstretched, showing the boy the way. I
told him it was the emblem of the Big Brothers of America and that I was a
Big Brother. He said "What's a Big Brother"? I suggested that if he wanted
to learn more to join me in the Grill and I would explain further. Over
drinks I described the Big Brother/Little Brother relationship. I told him
that a Little Brother is a boy usually between the ages of seven or eight to
fifteen, living at home with his mother without his father. This kid
usually does not have many friends and although, sometimes bright, is not
doing well in school. A Big Brother is a guy usually between the ages of
eighteen and sixtyfive, wanting to do more than just writing a check to a
good cause. As a Big Brother he can give of himself, as a friend, to a kid
that really needs him. To do things together that both of them enjoyed
doing. I told him that I was a Big Brother with the Jewish Big Brothers in
Los Angeles where there was also The Catholic Big Brothers and the Big
Brothers of Greater Los Angeles. Both Frank and I began thinking the same
thing. Three Big Brother agencies in L.A. and not even one in San Diego.
That didn't make sense and something must be done about it. After dinner I
called my business partner, Ben Townes, well connected and influential in San
Diego. I asked him if he would introduce me to men who could help me start
a Big Brother agency in San Diego. He did, and this experience resulted in organizing the Big Brothers of San Diego which is today Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. Jack A. Levin
In January 1946, on my first of hudreds of subsequent visits to San Diego, as always, I checked in at the U.S. Grant Hotel. The following morning I went to the hotel coffee shop for breakfast and on the counters and tables there was a small paper tent sign that stated the following. "San Diego has less rain than Los Angeles. San Diego has less fog than Los Angeles. San Diego doesn't get as hot as Los Angeles. San Diego doesn't get a cold as Los Angeles". I think there were a couple more items extolling the merits of San Diego over Los Angeles but I don't remember what they were. In the next thirty five years of visiting San Diego and staying at the U. S. Grant Hotel I have learned that all the stated virtues San Diego has over L.A. are true. Jack A, Levin
It was 4th of July weekend 2009 and my new family enjoyed our first vacation together at The US Grant. My husband, Derick, and I were married Feb 14th, 2009 and chose San Diego for our first family vacation together as a real family. We each have a little boy, Tyler and Jared, who are now both seven and we spent the weekend visiting the USS Midway, Balboa Park, and Sea World. The US Grant was the idle resting place for recouping from our long days with small children, yet the hotel and staff made our stay much more than just a place to sleep. Most might say this isn’t a place kids would enjoy but I have to say my boys couldn’t have been happier anywhere else. We arrived to a wonderful upgraded room in a Signature Suite with welcome goodies of chocolate covered bananas as well! The suite was delightful, plenty of room for the entire family and beds I wish every hotel would have. We had planned to leave and watch the fireworks outside the evening of the 4th of July, but the room was just so comfortable we snuggled up and watch the show on the large flat screen TVs. We opened the windows slightly and could hear the fireworks being set off. The spacious room also allowed my new husband and I to have a little romance, after tucking the boys into bed, we ordered room service and made a late night picnic of cheese and wine on the living room floor. Every time we departed and returned the staff were all so warm and welcoming. This has to be the most helpful staff I have ever encountered. They truly go out of their way to make guests happy. The luxury property left a lasting impression on our entire family & we all hope to return soon. My boys still often talk about the hotel, our great room with the huge bathroom shower, and oh so comfortable beds and we’ll never forget our family time together snuggling up in bed and watching the fireworks. I never got a chance to thank everyone involved for helping make this first family trip together an incredibly memorable experience, especially Mark and Demi. It’s not always easy traveling with small children & making sure everyone is happy & comfortable. The US Grant far exceeded our expectations in every way and we will always remember our first stay at the property.
Kind Regards,
Heather, Derick, Tyler, & Jared
PS: I'm including a few photo's from our stay to show just how happy everyone was during our great stay.
We met and fell in love during the golden Indian summer of last year. Our relationship seemed to be the answer to our questions, the end of the eternal search - happily in love, trust, passion and friendship seemed all what surrounded us, two young people from the old continent, now at home on the East Coast. After three endless weeks of separation over the Christmas holidays, an event brought us over to San Diego. The last night of our stay we were to spend at the US Grant. All the splendor surrounding us, the beautiful corner room and a bed to dream in and dream about ... is there any place which can accommodate two lovers in a more delightful way than the US Grant? We had been guests of other luxurious hotels, before and after, but yet, none was alike the US Grant.
And so we returned home, on my bedroom door the little "do not disturb" tag, on my desk the notepad with the familiar blue logo, reminding me every day of our time in San Diego. The love we found, however, was not meant to be. To my surprise and earlier than I had ever expected, I found myself forced to put all the memories of those three month, the tag and the notepad, too, into a box to shut them away from my sight. Not animosities, not boredom, no misunderstandings had gotten between us but shadows of the past I could not fight.
Is it better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all? Better to have spent one night at the US Grant knowing you might never return than never having been a guest of this house? For now, I think that one day I can unpack my box and take out the notepad, the one with the familiar blue logo, and write a big YES on it.
Anonymous
Our Memories Of The U.S. Grant Hotel
In August of 1959 Dale was a Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class in the Independent Duty School at Naval Hospital, San Diego. During the summer he asked his fiancee (a nursing student at the University of Colorado) to come out to visit him. She convinced her mother that she was mature enough to go visit "that sailor" with much controversy from friends and neighbors in McCook, NE.
Sandy booked her trip and made reservations at the U.S. Grant Hotel. When we arrived we thought the hotel was the most beautiful building and felt the lobby was wonderful. The room was spacious and comfortable. We had lunch in the Grant Grill and was impressed with the decor and service.
While in San Diego we visited all the important places; the zoo, Old Town, two preformances of The Kingston Trio, a memorable bar called The Honey Bucket, attended church at All Saints Episcopal Church and even spent a day going up to Disneyland.
Two months after Sandy went back to school, Dale received his orders to go to Naval Hospital, Guam, M.I. In order for a wife to travel a marriage was necessary before he left. In her innocent way Sandy called her mother and said,"We have to get married". After her mother picked herself off the floor, Sandy explained about the orders.
Our 1st child was born about a year and a half later, a girl we named Kelli. We had decided that our first son should be named Grant to commemorate our wonderful time we had in San Diego and at the U.S. Grant Hotel. Grant was born in October of 1962 while we were still on Guam.
We celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary on November 28, 2009 with Kelli, Grant, and Kurt, our grandchildren, family and friends.
We are planning to visit our neice, Marie, in San Diego in late June of this year and it was through her that we learned about the 100 Year Anniversary of the U.S. Grant Hotel. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to relive some wonderful memories of our young lives.
Sandy and Dale Sander
When I saw the hotel was celebrating its 100th Birthday I remembered my experience there several years ago.
At the time I was living in Fargo ND and my husband was attending training and stayed at the US Grant. I joined him the last two days of his stay and experienced the wonderful hotel, staff and my first visit to San Diego.
It was such a pleasure because it was our first trip away from the kids and special for us to be alone. The hotel was beautiful, charming and romantic for us! I recall walking down to the lamp district and the restaurants all welcomed us. I recall the weather was in the 70’s and I returned to -30 in Fargo. Although we have not returned to San Diego, it is a special memory for us because of you and your staff!
Happy Birthday!
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