On my recent visit to San Francisco to meet with my publisher (Sheryl Fullerton at Jossey-Bass) I made a last minute change in hotels. The Whitcomb Hotel on Market Street was the best rate I could find, but the experience of a beautiful and historic lobby (how the website sold me!) was sandwiched between the worst drive up experience and smelliest hallways I have ever encountered. Before the door to my room could close behind me, I made a b-line for the front desk to execute an exit strategy.
Thirty minutes later I entered the promised land- Hotel Vitale. One of the few Hotels in the city built completely new in the last three years, the environment was pristine, elegant and inspiring- even refreshing. As I departed it was no surprise to discover that crystal clear sense of mission guides the company. Founder Chip Conley shares in a letter to guests, that their mission is to "create opportunities to celebrate the joy of life." What's their vision? It's connected to their name which means "vitality" in Italian. "We want to create a few lasting memories, or little vignettes that contribute to your vitality. Vitality means the abundant physical and mental energy usually combined with a wholehearted and and joyous approach to situations and activities."