Directing traffic
LEIF ABRAM • Beacon Grand Hotel
WORK • Friday Routine
LEIF ABRAM • guest relations manager & social host • Beacon Grand Hotel
Neighborhood you work in: Union Square
Neighborhood you live in: Pacific Heights
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
A big part of my job is helping run the day-to-day life of the hotel, welcoming guests, meeting needs on the fly, and keeping this grand, historic space feeling both elegant and easy. By Friday morning, the lobby feels like a crossroads: people arriving, people departing, and a steady sense that things are exactly where they should be.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’m working on a paper that breaks down the critical distinction between hospitality and service. It often gets blurred, but it’s the difference between a satisfied guest and a loyal advocate.
Service concerns the technical. It’s delivering the product correctly, efficiently, and on time. It’s a monologue where we set the standards and follow the steps. Hospitality is about the emotional — it’s how that delivery makes the guest feel, as in, it’s making the guest feel seen and welcome with a sense of belonging. It’s a dialogue that requires anticipating a need before it’s even voiced.
In short: service is a skill you can train; hospitality is a spirit you have to cultivate. I’m excited to challenge my team to move past checking the boxes and start creating those experiences.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m excited to try Arquet and Via Aurelia, and I’m always looking ahead for new restaurants. It feels so good to have a guest come back and say I nailed it. A new restaurant I had the pleasure of trying was RT Bistro from the owners of one of my favorites, Rich Table. I found it to serve one of the best hamburgers in San Francisco.
How about a little leisure or culture?
In my free time, I enjoy a mix of outdoor activities and live sports. I love getting outside to hike, especially places like Muir Woods where I can unwind and enjoy nature. I’m also a big fan of live sporting events. Attending Golden State Warriors basketball games is always a highlight, and I’m really looking forward to baseball season and catching some San Francisco Giants games. It’s a great balance of fresh air, energy, and shared experiences with family and friends.
Any weekend getaways?
When I need a reset that doesn’t involve airports or complicated planning, I point my car south and let Highway 1 do the rest. Big Sur is just a few hours’ drive from the Bay Area and feels like a different world entirely. I enjoy the rugged cliffs, redwood groves, misty mornings, and the kind of quiet that makes you breathe a little deeper. I like to stay at the laid back, classic Big Sur River Inn and to visit Pfeiffer Beach for its purple-tinged sand and dramatic rock formations.
What was your last great vacation?
My last great vacation was to Joshua Tree. I went to clear my head, reset, and spend some time in nature, and it ended up being one of the most rejuvenating trips I’ve taken. I stayed at the Joshua Tree Inn, which has such a peaceful, boutique feel and is full of character. Waking up to the desert light and complete quiet was incredibly grounding. I also spent an evening at AutoCamp Joshua Tree, which offers these beautifully designed Airstream suites and is such a unique way to experience the desert while still enjoying comfort.
For food, Crossroads Café was a favorite for breakfast with amazing coffee and fresh, hearty options before heading into the park. I also loved dinner at La Copine, which is worth the short drive for their seasonal menu and intimate atmosphere. Pappy and Harriets in nearby Pioneertown was another highlight with great food, live music, and a really fun energy.