A Charles Dickens Christmas on Nob Hill

Dec 21, 2024

December 20, 2024

A Charles Dickens Christmas on Nob Hill, 2024

The colorful, old-fashioned, red, and green Christmas décor at the Suites always reminds me of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol which is set in Edwardian, London. The fireplace flickers as families and friends meet while sipping a glass of wine or hot cider. Laughter fills the air, as the desk checks guests in and the houseman piles the luggage onto the brass cart. Families gather to enjoy the holiday traditions by attending the Nutcracker at War Memorial Opera House, Handel’s Messiah at Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill or the Broadway musical, Hamilton at the Orpheum.

The hotels on Nob Hill seem to be in competition with laser light shows and outlandish installations. Hugh crowds fill the lobbies to view Christmas décor and a gingerbread house.

I prefer the cozy, quiet beauty of the Suites. As you enter the lower lobby you are welcomed by a beautifully appointed Christmas tree, guests mingle over cheese and crackers as a guest sits down to play carols on the piano.

Charles Dickens wrote the famous line, ‘It was the best of times and the worst of times,’ from Tale of Two Cities.This phrase is fitting today as San Francisco continues to recover after the pandemic lockdown and the office occupancy turndown due to remote work.

  • There is a new mayor in town and many of the tech workers are moving back to SF to be a part of the new AI technologies. There is quite a crowded conference schedule in 2025, starting off with JPMorgan on January 12. Mark Benioff of Salesforce stated that the 2025 conference will now stay in San Francisco.

As we celebrate the best of times during the holidays, visit Union Square and go ice skating, listen to live entertainment on the square, view the puppies and kittens in the windows at Macy’s and do not forget the lobster club sandwich at the Rotunda, Neiman Marcus. You can still shop at Gump’s which has relocated to 250 Post.

This Christmas Season has been festive and full of light. SF Glow has been providing light installations all over the city during the holiday season which commenced at the Ferry Building, December 6. In the early spring of 2025, the Bay Bridge will be illuminated with 50,000 lights which will be visible on both sides of the bridge.

The restaurant Sessions in the Presidio will be closing this month and a new Italian restaurant will take its place, February, offering vegetarian pastas and pizzas:

  • Piccino

#1 Letterman Drive, Presidio

  • Bar Sprezzatura Venetian bar bites and cocktails in a stunning and dramatic setting

300 Clay at #1 Maritime Plaza in the Financial District

Recently, I experienced a disappointing dining experience at a new Mediterranean restaurant.

There was no welcome, no eye contact or thank you from the host or servers. It was a cold unhospitable experience. I will never return even though the cuisine was fine. The atmosphere and guest service were unwelcoming.

The hospitality industry is based on welcoming guests, and making guests feel comfortable and appreciated. A well-trained staff can make or break a business.

The power of welcoming guests back to the Suites is what we are known for, and it is the basis of the training for the concierge, housekeepers and houseman and is the reason that the soul of the Suites is the wonderful, welcoming, hardworking staff.

Staff news:

Andrew Flack has just returned from a surfing holiday and Luis has just returned from Mexico.

Susan is off to visit family in Boston and Erik has just returned from a holiday stay in NYC.

Our two new housemen, Pedro and Wilfredo, are becoming acquainted with the owners.

Please take the time to congratulate our wonderful Head Housekeeper, Gloria, who has just passed her Citizen requirements and will soon be sworn in as a US citizen!

SFS reminders:

  • Dec 22 1st installment of property taxes. Please note if you are a new owner or have moved, you will need to contact SF City Tax Board to receive your tax bill. I can also help you pay your tax bill online.

  • January 1st, Call for Nominations is sent out announcing the two positions that are currently held by Fred Munroe and Dwight Walker are up for re-election. They both will run again so it is possible to have an uncontested election this March.

  • January 2025 Delinquent assessment auction will be held TBA.

  • Owners that are not able to visit SF this year can exchange their 7 days and vacation elsewhere. Please contact the front desk for the exchange procedures.

Here’s to celebrating the best of times after experiencing the worst of times.

San Francisco is resilient and so are the owners and staff of San Francisco Suites.

Come celebrate and lift a glass to this beautiful City by the Bay and your iconic, welcoming, home away from home, San Francisco Suites!

To end this Christmas missive, here is the last line of A Christmas Carol;

“And so, as Tiny Tim said, A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, everyone!”

Happy Holidays,
Cynthia Reid
General Manager
San Francisco Suites

BOD November 2, 2024

Dec 21, 2024

DRAFT

San Fransisco Suites
Meeting of the Board of Directors
November 2, 2024

President Geoffrey Bellah called the meeting to order at on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:04 AM. The Board of Directors members present were:

Geoffrey Bellah, President

Fred Munroe, Vice President

Dwight Walker, Treasurer

Nancy Hudson, Secretary

Jo Ann Trembath, Director-at-Large

Others Present: Cynthia Reid, General Manager

Owners Present: Susan Josselyn

Max Josselyn

Owners Forum: One owner mentioned a housekeeping issue in her suite, which was immediately taken care of by Manager Reid.

President’s Report: President Bellah thanked Cynthia Reid and Dwight Walker for their efforts in preparing the 2025 budget and commended Cynthia Reid for establishing and directing the successful rental program. He also noted the positive reviews on the Airbnb rollout which have resulted in the Suites achieving “Super Host” status, as well as its beneficial impact on the budget.

Approval of Minutes: Munroe made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2024, Board of Directors Meeting. It was seconded by Jo Ann Trembath and approved unanimously.

Treasurers Report: Walker offered the following:

Total Operating Cash available at the end of September was $269k.

$1200 from the reserve portion of recently received assessments needs to be transferred from the Operating Account to the Reserve Account. Munroe moved to approve the transfer, Trembath seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

Our Accounts Receivable at $68k remains unprecedented. At the end of September that revenue deficit is offset by the following:

$27k from sale of foreclosed shares

$14k from Airbnb revenue

5k from Operating account interest

However, there are additional expenses of $8k for property taxes and ownership resolution fees.

We are still short of covering cash needs for 2024. Rental income and more sales of shares during the next 3 months may make up what is about a $34k shortfall at the end of September. Also, Reserves investments of $645k have yielded $22k in earnings

General Manager’s Report: Cynthia Reid offered the following:

There are now 32 shares in the Association inventory. Nine shares have been adopted with their assessments paid, but there are still 23 shares owing $39,721 in assessments. 24 shares have been sold this year (16 Masters and eight Parlors). There are 11 shares in foreclosure which will go to tax auction in January. Currently there are 11 deed backs with paid assessments in progress, and three other deed backs for which the assessment is owed.

Cynthia Reid also developed a Deed Back Procedure Form to share with owners who request a deed back.

Two new Housemen have been hired, Pedro Munoz and Wilfredo Quippe.

Our IT guru Ken VonBerg has upgraded the WIFI system. Our handyman Israel Garcia has retiled the floor in the laundry room. Finally, Modern Drapery has replaced 18 drapery linings.

The Employee of the Quarter is Susan Smith. President Bellah praised Smith for her positive, helpful attitude and her dedication to making sure all guests – owners, renters, exchange guests – feel welcome at the Suites, and later awarded her a monetary gift from the Association.

Ongoing Business:

The Board reviewed the 2025 draft budget report prepared by Walker and Reid, which proposes an assessment of $1769 per share. Walker moved to accept the budget, which breaks down as follows:

$1579 per share to Operations

$ 190 per share to Reserves

Munroe seconded the motion, and after some discussion, the motion passed, 4 in favor and 1 opposed. This approved assessment represents a $42 increase over the previous year.

The Board considered the 2025 Reserve Study, which inventories the Suites’ material assets, and evaluates which elements might need repair or replacement over time, and the costs to do so. Walker moved to accept the Study, Bellah seconded that motion, and after some discussion, the motion passed 4 to 1.

Manager Reid reported on the Airbnb rental program. In October 2024 fifty-four nights were booked, and income for the month was $8643. The total revenue from Airbnb rentals, from June 2024 when it commenced to the end of October amounts to $22,533.

New Business:

Manager Reid reviewed with the Board the repair and replacement listing from the Reserve Study for 2025. She proposed from the listing the following items:

Antiques repair and restoration

Gazebo furniture

5-year certification inspection

Annual certification

New mattress sets

Exterior painting of stairs, rails, and fire escape

Tune-up program testing

Bellah moved to accept the proposed items for 2025, Munroe seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Regarding the new mattresses, the Board requested that Reid investigate the possibility of placing King-sized mattresses in some Master suites.

Manager Reid reiterated the approved 2025 assessment of $1769 and said that the invoicing process will begin immediately. The invoices will be emailed and mailed to all owners.

Reid reported that complimentary amenities, including coffee, the afternoon wine and cheese service, newspaper delivery, and Wi-Fi, cost the Association $18,300 annually, and that the cost of these free amenities is ever increasing. The Board agreed to consider raising the prices of room service and refrigerator items to offset these rising expenses.

Reid brought to the Board’s attention the property tax bills on the Association’s non-performing shares. In the past, the Board has authorized paying the property taxes to prevent the bills from increasing with added penalties and to make them available for sale. The total taxes due for the non-performing current inventory is $1567. Walker moved, and Munroe seconded a motion to pay these tax bills, and the motion passed unanimously.

Forward Planning:

Replacement of hallway and staircase carpeting will be addressed in 2025.

As the agenda’s business was completed, Walker made a motion to adjourn. Munroe seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:21 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy R. Hudson, Secretary

Saturday, January 18,2025 is the next BOD meeting