enRoute


	ENROUTE TV ENROUTE FM MEDIA KIT AIR CANADA LINKS WRITERS' GUIDELINES

WHIMS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS (p. 2)

1 | 2 | OCT 03

1 P.M. Josephine and Leslie Lefkowitz, the Four Seasons’ director of public relations, stop for an express lunch. Meanwhile, Ken arranges for the delivery of a bed, complete with full bedding, to a young couple in Dublin who "want to recapture that Four Seasons feeling at home." This is actually a routine occurrence: The hotel sells an average of 10 beds per week to guests from all over the world.

1:45 P.M. "Marina! How are you?" Josephine exclaims as she sees Marina Crispo approaching. Marina’s job is to take guests out in style: private showroom visits, museum tours, personalized shopping. On today’s agenda: an Upper West Side antique dealers’ junket with three Swedish dignitaries’ wives.

3:30 P.M. At the front desk, Josephine and Ken wonder how the young newlyweds-to-be are faring on their carriage ride. "She’ll say yes, I just know it," Josephine says. A British gentleman rushes in. He must have a bouquet of tea roses in a porcelain vase, and the vase must match the colour of the flowers. Perfectly. (What is he hoping to be forgiven for?)

4 P.M. Josephine glances around the lobby a final time before dashing off to a late briefing. Ken takes over. "Concierge, good afternoon, this is Ken. What can I do for you? Table for six at Nobu, Friday at 9 p.m. Very well, Mrs. DuBouquet"… "Hi, it’s Ken here. How are you? I need a table for six, Friday, 9 p.m. Take good care of them, won’t you? Thanks"… Pausing only to pop one of a seemingly endless supply of LifeSavers into his mouth, he recommends a trendy SoHo bar to a pair of young Parisians. Chelsea would be "a little too harsh" for the preppy couple, he tells me. "I keep an open mind. No prejudices. You know, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of a guest."

5:30 P.M. Things have again turned chaotic at the concierge’s desk. Ken is busy explaining a drugstore errand to one of the grooms: "It’s for the Anistopopouloses’ little boy. Make it fast!" Josephine says, "The Anistopopouloses are such wonderful clients. I think about people like them whenever I notice interesting spots in the city: the newest bistro, a childrenswear boutique, a charming street or the best nanny in town. I jot down everything."

6 P.M. The agendas and logbooks have been gone over with a fine-tooth comb. Instructions are given to the concierges on the next shift. Josephine is getting ready to leave for the day when the young lovers at last make their appearance. "She said yes!" the young man exclaims. "Congratulations!" Josephine replies and has a bottle of brut rosé champagne sent up to their room. "I told you she’d say yes," she whispers in Ken’s ear. And with a wave and a laugh, off she goes. [ ]

The Four Seasons New York
57 E. 57th Street, New York, New York 10022
212-758-5700, 1-800-487-3769
www.fourseasons.com

ADD YOUR COMMENTS > letters@enroutemag.net

1 | 2 | OCT 03