Home base

San Francisco, CA

Business cred

Having grown up travelling, it’s not at all surprising that Ingrid Summerfield has a natural predilection for the travel game. She spent 17 of her 30 years in the hotel industry with Joie de Vivre, climbing from general manager of San Francisco’s Commodore Hotel to president in 2008. Under her management, the boutique hotel company has grown throughout California to more than 30 hotels, including its first foray out of the Golden State with last fall’s opening of the The Saguaro in Scottsdale, AZ. Then there was October’s big merger with Thompson Hotels to create JT Hospitality, a 45-property boutique powerhouse with a presence on both coasts.

How do you translate surroundings or environment into hotel design?

We look at all elements of the guest experience that describe not only the design and concept, but also hotel services. We look at all aspects through this lens to assure that all five senses are holistically engaged. The music, uniforms, amenities and design must harmonize with each other. Our idiosyncratic, localized designs are what our guests tell us they love about the brand—they don’t want a cookie-cutter experience.

Joie de Vivre is famous for guest perks like “Singing for an Upgrade.” How do you decide what to ask guests to do?

We try to keep it easy and fun for our guests by offering programs that allow people to be creatively engaged. Some ideas—such as the “Singing for an Upgrade” promotion—are inspired by hotel employees’ interactions with guests, so they really resonate.

When travelling on business, what do you look for in a hotel?

Creative and uniquely designed hotels with personal service touches that engage me. Attention to the small details is very

important and, above all, cleanliness and a most comfortable bed. A great food and beverage experience is always a plus, while a great Internet connection is a must.

What’s your favourite JDV property?

Some of our properties I enjoy are the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz for the true beachfront surfer experience and the Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach with its famous High Rooftop Lounge. I’m also very excited by what we are creating in Scottsdale at the Drinkwater Hotel with Distrito Restaurant and the property’s new, engaging, playful and colourful design that reflects the desert flora in a very different, vibrant manner.

Favourite restaurant to hold a business meeting?

Americano at Hotel Vitale in San Francisco.

Americano at Hotel Vitale in San Francisco

What are you reading?

The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk and The 24-Hour Customer by Adrian Ott. I also just started My Father, The Captain, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s book about his father. It’s a fascinating story about a man who set out to save our oceans.

Favourite travel apps?

Photoshop Express, Skype, Flight Tracker and Zagat.

 

Best business advice you’ve ever received?

Be solution-oriented, listen and stay optimistically focused on your goal. That was the advice my grandfather gave me many years ago, and it still guides me today.

Correction: In the Brief Case section in the January 2012 issue of up! magazine, the story referenced The Drinkwater Hotel. The property name has been changed to The Saguaro.