TM THE BUTLER DID IT by Madelyn Miller When The Pan Pacific San Francisco proclaims "The Butler Did It," "it" can only mean one thing (or several things, depending on your point of view).  Fashioned after the timeless and aristocratic Asian and European service traditions of personal butlers, The Pan Pacific San Francisco provides each guest with the invaluable courtesy of a personal butler who will tend to the guest's every need.   Discretion, intuition, and a will-do attitude are the three critical characteristics of a personal butler.  But what in the world can a guest expect from this temporary, away-from-home service?  Here are a few sample requests made from other guests:   ~ He provided me with a cup of my favorite tea upon arrival to the guestroom (the hotel keeps a log of repeat guests' past personal preferences) ~   ~ I checked into the hotel and was in a hurry to get to a meeting. As requested, when I returned all my belongings were unpacked, pressed and ready to wear ~   ~ In order to finish a tight deadline, my personal butler packed my suitcase prior to departure and expedited the checkout process ~   ~ She greeted me upon arrival to my room and suggested I call with any personal request I may have during my stay ~   ~ I needed assistance with a hard-to-find cosmetic. My butler made a few phone calls and delivered the merchandise within an hour ~   ~ He noticed the hem of my skirt was coming undone and offered to repair it. I also asked if he could mend a zipper on pair of suit pants...he complied graciously ~   ~ Knowing from a previous visit that I enjoy a hot bath upon arrival, my personal butler knocked at my door minutes after checking in and asked if she could draw the bath for me and heat up the towels ~   ~ When picking up garments for laundry service, my personal valet noticed my cigar and asked if he could clip and light the cigar for me ~   ~ I was having trouble getting my scarf to drape around my shoulders properly so my personal butler came in to assist me ~   ~ I am notoriously late for early-morning meetings so I had the butler order room service for me first thing in the morning and it was ready five minutes after my wake-up call ~   ~ It never fails, I always seem to have a special request and on each of my visits a personal butler has come to the rescue in ordering and setting up everything from coffee makers, microwaves, and blenders to computers, VCRs, and CD Players ~   ~ My trip entailed a lengthy Bay Area trek with stops in many hotels.  I wanted to minimize my day-trip luggage so my butler suggested I leave the unneeded Clothes behind for laundering, dry-cleaning and storage until I returned to San Francisco.           In addition to most any personal request, standard services available through the personal butler service at The Pan Pacific San Francisco include: ~ Ironing/mending/altering garments ~ Running errands ~ Same day laundering and dry cleaning (available 24 hours a day) ~ Shining shoes ~ Packing up and shipping special commodities acquired on the trip ~ Accommodating special turn-down requests ~ Providing specially-requested toiletries (toothpaste, electric shavers, combs, etc.) ~ Retrieving a movie from the hotel's video library ~ Changing bedding to accommodate special needs ~ Supplying personalized stationery and business cards ~ Providing specially fluffed pillows ~ Acting as a personal concierge in securing theater tickets or any other special request ~ Calling the complimentary hotel limousine to check availability   Traveler's Tips:         Veteran travelers may be accustomed to the many of nuances of life on the road, but The Pan Pacific's team of personal butlers offers a few traveler's tips which may make life away from home a little less stressful: 1. Before you pack, ask the dry-cleaner to fill the arms and shoulders of your suits and shirts with tissue paper 2. Remove the knots from your ties/scarves after each use and hang in the bathroom to steam out wrinkles. 3. Have the butler deliver bottled water to your hotel room so you'll stay hydrated during the trip. 4. Have an assistant mail business materials in advance so that you're not burdened with them at the airport.  And, upon departure, have your personal butler handle the return packing and shipping of the materials for you. 5. Find out (in advance) what special amenities and in-room conveniences are available at your destination hotel so that you know what you may need to bring from home or rent from the hotel. 6. If you need to rent a computer for your personal in-room use, reserve in advance so that it is ready and waiting upon arrival. 7.  If you have any personal requests what so ever, alert the destination hotel so that they may accommodate your preferences in advance.   What to Pack 1.  A favorite book or magazine to pass time or help you to fall asleep* 2.  Personal note cards with pre-addressed labels and first-class stamps* 3.  A designated travel toiletry bag that includes necessary personal effects (toothbrush/paste, facial cleanser, razor, hairbrush/comb, prescriptions/pain relievers, special moisturizers, cotton swabs, cotton balls, bandages, etc.)* 4.  Comfortable walking shoes 5.  Plenty of undergarments and hosiery (as it is sometimes difficult to find a comfortable replacement on the road) 6.  Driver's license/passport 7.  Emergency contact list tucked in an easy-to-find suitcase or wallet location 8.  $100.in traveler's checks, stowed in suitcase in case of emergency 9.  A photograph of the loved ones 10.  A spare change of clothes (and necessary toiletries) in a carry-on bag. 11. Plastic laundry bag for soiled clothes* * These items are also available through the hotel         The Pan Pacific Hotel San Francisco is located on fashionable Post Street, only one block from the city's shopping mecca Union Square and within walking distance to the theater district, cable cars and many fine restaurants.  The hotel is also within minutes of Moscone Center, The Financial District, and downtown.         The hotel's signature service and amenities include 24-hour personal valet service; complimentary downtown luxury car service; state-of-the-art fitness center; full-service business center; 24-hour in-room dining; "PACIFIC" featuring contemporary California Cuisine; exclusive luxury locker service; pillows fluffed to guests' preference; daily laundry/valet service; complimentary shoe shine; daily newspaper; complimentary coffee served in lobby; flexible check-in/out times; and twice daily maid service, with nightly turndown.         The 330 rooms and suites feature such amenities as two TVs; three phones; voicemail; personal fax machines; computer hookups; over-sized desks; minibars; refrigerators; over-sized marble bathrooms with deluxe amenities; safes; hair dryers; robes; personal valet call button; down comforters and pillows; cable TV and "On Command Video"; video account display/check-out; and in-room movies. Computers available upon request. Rooms for disabled and non-smokers.         To make reservations at The Pan Pacific San Francisco, please call (415) 771-8600 or toll free (800) 533-6465. -Updated 8-15-98-   Back to TravelLady Magazine