The Beverly Wilshire: an amazing customer service experience

As I walked from my car to the registration desk inside the hotel, six different people greeted me and one offered to get me water. One person offered to take my bags, two doors were opened for me, and a chilled bottle of water was presented to me on a silver tray. “Would you like some ice in a glass for your water?”

“No thanks, I’m fine,” was my answer. What I should have said was, “Yes, thank you, and I’d also like to live here for the rest of my life!” I couldn’t believe I was in the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire, checking in to this beautiful place.

Somebody pinch me.

Actually, if I really wanted to be pinched I could have asked and someone would have obliged. The pinch would have been precisely placed on my upper arm, close to my shoulder, just enough to cause a wince, but not so harsh to leave a bruise. That’s the Beverly Wilshire: an amazing customer service experience.

Thanks to an invitation from Disney for bloggers to see The Lion King 3D at the El Capitan theater in Los Angeles, I stayed at this beautiful location and realized this lifestyle would suit me just fine!

During my stay, I saw several suites and banquet rooms of the Beverly Wilshire as I met with different people to inform me of the many facets of re-working this movie into a 3D format.

One of my favorite sessions occurred when the bloggers and I crowded into one suite to meet the animators of two of my favorite characters from the movie: Mark Henn, animator of young Simba, and Tony Bancroft, animator of Pumbaa. As these creative super-stars told us stories of travelling to zoos to observe lions and how Lion King was never thought to be the success it turned out to be, these two gentlemen drew, and drew and drew. They made their talents seem effortless, when in fact, we all knew we witnessed greatness with every new picture.

I’ll remember this afternoon forever, and especially as I see Lion King 3D in theaters. Not only did I get to meet these two animators, I sat with them in one of the most beautiful settings in Los Angeles.

If you ever have the occasion to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar in the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire or, even better, to stay in this luxurious landmark, take the opportunity. You won’t regret it and the memories will last a lifetime. I know they will for me!

Lion King 3D is in theaters for two weeks only, beginning September 16. Lion King can roar into your home on Blu-Ray 3D and Blu-Ray Hi-Def Combo Packs on October 4th.

When Eileen Calandro isn’t trying to keep her composure in really elegant places, she is the Chief Mom Connector of Mom Central. You can read about what else makes her lose her composure on her personal blog at calandroclan.com and connect with her on twitter at @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

_____________________
Disclaimer: Eileen received lodging and meals as part of her trip to see The Lion King 3D.

Eileen Calandro