Letters

Regarding “New Pair Antes Up on Strip,” Dec. 5, by Jay Jones: The $3.9-billion Cosmopolitan is about to open its doors on the Vegas Strip in one of the worst economic times Sin City has experienced. The 50- and 52-story towers will have the fanciest rooms and gadgets available for what the owners call the “curious class”-type clientele. With vacancies up and overall discretionary income down for even high rollers, the dubious opening may itself be a big gamble. Also, the location on the strip adjacent to the fairly new $9-billion hotel/retail behemoth, the CityCenter, is certainly not conducive to getting the high-priced select clientele. Does the saying “poor timing” have relevance here? Most likely yes, but projects such as the Cosmopolitan that broke ground five years ago had, I’m sure, a rosier outlook at that time. But as the voice in the cornfield said, “If you build it, they will come.” The catch is, however, that one must have patience in this market.

Bill Spitalnick, Newport Beach

My wife and I have been to all of the California classics in Terry Gardner’s piece [“California Classics,” Dec. 5]. But over the decades, our consistent favorite in San Francisco is the Huntington Hotel & Spa on Nob Hill. The hotel is not glitzy nor is it ultra-modern, but the service and ambience are as good as it gets. The rooms and beds are geared for comfort. The staff is the most attentive of any hotel that we have ever stayed in. The views of San Francisco are spectacular, especially those facing San Francisco Bay. The hotel’s Big Four restaurant has excellent food, a cut above most hotel dining rooms. Add to all this the hotel’s spa and indoor pool, and you have as restful and romantic a location as any in San Francisco.

Ernest Salomon, Santa Barbara

I am 67 and always travel by myself, staying at hostels from St. Petersburg, Russia ( Puppet Theatre Hostel), to Berlin (Three Little Pigs), to San Francisco (Fort Mason) to Santa Monica (Hi-S.M.). As Megan Kimble points out [“Fellowship at Hostels Not Just for the Backpack Crowd, Dec.5], I am no longer the only “senior” taking advantage of the inexpensive accommodations, food and the multitude of experiences of shared community. From Paris to Phnom Penh, I have not only enjoyed meeting and talking with people from all over the world but also have often been invited to join in spontaneous communal meals, featuring cuisines from a multitude of cultures. There is nothing that makes forging new friendships and expanding cultural awareness easier than when it is done over a multitude of international dishes.

Ruth Kramer Ziony, Los Feliz

I just read, with great interest, Catharine Hamm’s “Silent Treatment” column. I have flown with British Airways every year for more than 30 years. I love everything about it except for one thing — if I encounter a problem at any level of the airline, I never receive a response or assistance, no matter how many letters, e-mails, etc. I send. About four years ago, I needed some timely assistance and decided, after having all requests fall on deaf ears, to go to the top, so I contacted Willie Walsh, the top man at British Airways. Forty-eight hours later my problem was resolved. I needed some aid a year ago and again received nothing in response to letters, etc. I contacted Walsh. Forty-eight hours later, my problem was resolved. I continue to use BA for my flights, but if I ever require assistance again, I will probably switch to a different airline.

Teresa Barbarino, Cypress

I had a problem with Copa a few years back when I got no response to my repeated phone calls, letters and e-mails. My problem started when I had to rebook my complete trip to a later date. I was told by the customer service rep that I had a $100 change fee. That was fine and not a surprise. I got to LAX and paid $100 and was on my way. When I was leaving Ecuador to return, the agent insisted that I owed another $100 change fee. I explained that I had paid in L.A., and she told me that was for just that part of the flight. I owed the change fee for the return flight that was changed also. I asked to speak to a supervisor but was told there was nobody who could speak to me. I paid the fee, which cost me almost $120 after local taxes and fees were added.

When I got home I spoke to Orbitz to get their take on the change fee. It agreed that I should be charged only once. I also called the airline and told a customer service agent the hypothetical situation and asked if they thought I should be charged once or twice. Of course, it was once.

But the solution was easy. I protested the charge with my credit card company. The card company’s duty is to decide the validity of a disputed charge when the problem can’t be solved between the consumer and the business. I forwarded my story and copies of e-mails and correspondence to my bank. I assume that when it tried to contact the airline and get its side of the story, it got the same silent treatment I got. I’m sure that made it easy for my credit card company to make a final decision in my favor.

Alex Rubin, Santa Barbara