The tale is quite famous...
Illustration
The tale is quite famous now, concerning the story of how George C. Boldt got his big break in life.
It seems that an elderly couple arrived in the lobby of a small hotel in New York one stormy night when everything was booked solid. The clerk explained that there were several conventions in town that week, and every room was taken. However, recognizing their plight, he said, "I can't let you go back out into that storm. If you don't object, I would be happy for you to sleep in my apartment tonight." At first they resisted, but eventually he won them over, and they had a restful night as a result of his hospitality.
The next morning as the elderly couple was checking out, the older man complimented the clerk on his service and resourcefulness. He said, "You're the kind of fellow who ought to be managing the best hotel around. Maybe one day I can provide that for you."
Several years passed, when suddenly one day, the clerk received a letter from that elderly gentleman who reminded him of the incident. It was an invitation to come to New York City, and enclosed was a round trip ticket. When the clerk arrived, the older fellow took him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street. There stood a brand new hotel and the gentleman explained, "I told you I would some day provide you a fine hotel to manage, and this is it. William Waldorf Astor never forgets a kindness." Thus, George C. Boldt became the first manager of the now famous Waldorf-Astoria.
It seems that an elderly couple arrived in the lobby of a small hotel in New York one stormy night when everything was booked solid. The clerk explained that there were several conventions in town that week, and every room was taken. However, recognizing their plight, he said, "I can't let you go back out into that storm. If you don't object, I would be happy for you to sleep in my apartment tonight." At first they resisted, but eventually he won them over, and they had a restful night as a result of his hospitality.
The next morning as the elderly couple was checking out, the older man complimented the clerk on his service and resourcefulness. He said, "You're the kind of fellow who ought to be managing the best hotel around. Maybe one day I can provide that for you."
Several years passed, when suddenly one day, the clerk received a letter from that elderly gentleman who reminded him of the incident. It was an invitation to come to New York City, and enclosed was a round trip ticket. When the clerk arrived, the older fellow took him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street. There stood a brand new hotel and the gentleman explained, "I told you I would some day provide you a fine hotel to manage, and this is it. William Waldorf Astor never forgets a kindness." Thus, George C. Boldt became the first manager of the now famous Waldorf-Astoria.
