Larry Bell, Doorman, The Hotel Whitcomb
Known as, “The Singing Doorman,” Larry Bell’s sunny disposition and happy tunes have been brightening a sizable stretch of Market Street since he joined The Hotel Whitcomb in 1999. His colleagues describe an incident of Larry as the “Hotel Angel” that is typical of the extraordinary lengths to which he will go in service to guests and visitors: Larry observed a guest coming into the hotel struggling with his luggage and his disabled child. Upon offering assistance, he learned that the guest’s wife had just died and he had not yet been able to tell his son, who was autistic. Fortunately for the guest, Larry spends some of his time volunteering with victims of autism, and was able to offer knowledgeable assistance, advice and consolation. He stayed with the grateful guest through the painful episode of advising his child. “Larry the Rescuer” recently took the time to search for a guest, who had checked of the hotel, amongst hundreds of people at Moscone. Remarkably, Larry found the guest and calmly handed over the laundry that the astonished guest thought he’d be receiving in the mail when he got home! Former Mayor, Willie Brown had occasion to attend an event at The Hotel Whitcomb and was so taken with Larry’s exuberance, he invited Larry to be a doorman at a City Hall event, for which he received a special commendation. Letters of praise and compliments from guests are an everyday occurrence for this rare individual. Look out American Idol! Larry was also nominated for this award in 2008.
.JPG)
