"His hotel lights up the stars
BEVERLY HILLS — Oscar time was crunch time at The Peninsula Beverly Hills.
By Bob Riha, Jr., USA TODAY
The French Renaissance-style stone hotel near Rodeo Drive was sold out last weekend, packed with movie moguls and nominees in town for the ceremony.
Nominees Felicity Huffman and Terrence Howard were spotted. So were Uma Thurman, Joan Collins, Sean Penn. Chevy Chase jammed on the piano in the lobby lounge.
Latecomers not accustomed to hearing the word 'no' begged to get in. Some didn't.
Turning thumbs up or down on such pleas was longtime general manager Ali Kasikci. (Photo Gallery: Hotelier for a day)
The 50-year-old Turkish-born Kasikci (Ka-seek-ee ) is known as a top performer who has elevated The Peninsula's profile in his 14-year tenure. Its February occupancy was 85%, vs. 62% for the average U.S. lodging, according to preliminary figures from Smith Travel Research."
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