Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name: Ingrid Summerfield
Occupation: Hotel Owner and President Filament Hospitality, a full-service management company, specializing in dynamic resorts in exciting destinations worldwide!
Hometown: San Francisco
Residence: San Francisco and Calistoga in Napa Valley
College: Ingrid holds a Hotel Management degree from the venerable Ecole Hotelliere de Lausanne in Switzerland and is the West Coast Alumni President. In addition she completed a BA in Journalism Cum Laude from San Francisco State University.
College major: Hotel Management and Journalism with an emphasis on Photojournalism
Website: filamenthospitality.com
Short bio: As President of Filament Hospitality, Ingrid Summerfield is responsible for the complete operational oversight of the brand’s portfolio. Prior most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer of California’s largest boutique hotel company Joie de Vivre (jdvhotels.com). During her 18 years with Joie de Vivre, Ingrid served in a variety of positions and was in charge of developing the systems that took a six-hotel operation to the second largest boutique hotel company in the country generating $250 million dollars in annual revenues. Her strengths lie in her ability to transform sleepy independent hotel operations into world-class boutique/luxury hotel operations.
How often do you fly? Weekly to one of our locations.
How many countries have you been to? Over 40.
How many continents have you been to? 5
Earliest travel memory: My first travel memory was a camping trip to the Atlantic Ocean and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Favorite American city: San Francisco.
Favorite international city: That’s hard to say! I love so many cities but probably Paris.
Least favorite country: Macau! It’s too much like Las Vegas without the wow factor.
I have no desire to go to: North Korea.
Friendliest people in the world: The Danes!
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Vietnam.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Angkor Wat, which represent one of mankind’s most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements.
Favorite airline: Turkish Airlines.
Favorite aircraft type: Most flown 747 and 737 along with 320 but probably Dreamliner.
Aisle or window: Window exit row.
Favorite airport lounge: Hong Kong.
Favorite U.S. airport: SFO.
Favorite international airport: Munich.
Favorite hotel: Our own hotels, of course! But Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur is absolutely stunning!
Favorite cruise line: Not a cruiser…
Favorite travel credit card: Chase United.
Favorite island: Maui, especially staying at our hotel, Lumeria. Bali is another fav.
Favorite beach: St. Gregorio on the California coast.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Quince in San Francisco.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Puerto Alegre in San Francisco.
Favorite bar: Buddah Bar in Paris.
Favorite fruit: Apricots and figs.
Favorite food: Great salads made with completely fresh ingredients—like a salade nicoise.
Least favorite food: Fast food.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): A nice pinot noir.
Favorite travel movie(s): Seven Years in Tibet.
Favorite travel show(s): Long Way Round.
Favorite travel book(s): “A Year in Provence.”
Right now I am reading: Lots of magazines—Travel + Leisure, Dwell, etc.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Vanity Fair, Afar, The Harvard Review.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Afar.com.
What do you always seem to forget? Wipes.
What do you like least about travel? Standing in lines or delayed flights.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Perfume.
Favorite travel app(s): Time Out and Hipmunk.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Arriving at the airport without a passport.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Cuba.
Worst travel moment: Stranded at Heathrow for 15 hours due to snow storm.
What’s your dream destination? San Francisco is always a great place to be.
Favorite travel charity: On a global level I like UNESCO as it fosters international connections between countries in our increasingly global world. Their focus is clearly on maintaining heritage, growing cultural and educational programs, environmental awareness, and freedom of expression. I support a number of local San Francisco Arts organizations and am a fan of Community Housing Partnership, a group that builds permanent housing with supportive services to help homeless folks rebuilt their lives.
Best travel tip: Travel light and only with carry-on!
