The hotel has the distinction of opening and closing on the same day - 17 October, the day of the Loma Prieta earthquake.
Though the building survived intact and reopened fairly quickly, virtually all of the glassware in the 39th floor View lounge bar was shattered. A single martini glass survived and it is still displayed in a glass cabinet in the lounge. Another quirky memorial of opening days is the signature Ten/89 cocktail that can still be purchased today.
The hotel’s general manager, John Anderson is a prime mover in the city’s tourism sector and chair of the San Francisco Tourism Improvement District. In that role he is an advocate for the city’s Ambassador Program, designed to highlight what is most special about San Francisco.
Employees and executives from a variety of sectors of commerce are identified by their orange vests and help facilitate city events and support both business and leisure visitors.
Anderson says there is no doubt the city was hit hard by the Covid pandemic and says recovery comes down to relationship building, one personal connection at a time. ‘So it’s about getting out there, on the street.’
San Francisco Marriott Marquis is a 1,500 room property, with two large ballrooms and a selection of breakout rooms, plus a large fitness centre.