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Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the fine people at Dundurn Press, particularly president and publisher Kirk Howard and vice-president of marketing and sales Beth Bruder, who was my first contact at Dundurn. I will be forever grateful for their interest and support. I would also like to thank associate publisher and editorial director Michael Carroll, a calm and supportive editor who made this book better; director of sales and marketing Margaret Bryant; and designers Courtney Horner and Jesse Hooper. From that first lunch at the Scotland Yard pub on The Esplanade, I was instantly at ease with everyone at Dundurn. I knew The Suite Life was in the hands of the right publisher because the company embraced it not just as a book project but understood the whole spirit of it, as well.

Deep, heartfelt thanks go out to my wonderful Fairmont Royal York family — without you none of this would have been possible, not just the book but the very dream itself. So thanks to Fairmont regional vice-president and Royal York general manager Heather McCrory, whose early encouraging words on this material were very meaningful, in fact, crucial, to the process; to my good friend Mike Taylor, public relations director of Fairmont, who first uttered those three magical words — “writer-in-residence”; to Melanie Coates, who is everything from my sounding board to my guardian angel; to Kolene Elliott, who is one of the smartest and most resourceful hotel people I’ve ever encountered; to Serge Laroche, whose patience and understanding made a world of difference; to the very good people in the Fairmont Royal York Health Club — Jeannie Gallant, Alison, Soaria, Will, and especially Josh Stone, my good friend whom I bounced off whatever I was working on for his reaction. Anyone who loves All in the Family as much as I do is a wit I can trust without hesitation. Every single day during the researching and writing of this book began with Josh, and I thank him for his friendship and support. And, finally, thanks to the maids who work the ninth floor of the Royal York — you take such great care of me!

Thanks always to my family, father Bill Heard, mother Marie Heard, and brother Peter Heard.

Special thanks to the beautiful Rhonda Thain. For three books now (and counting), your love and support and comforting touch were extremely meaningful to me. I only hope a little of those things flowed back to you from me during these busy days.

Thanks also to my friend and fellow author Michael Coren for all his encouragement and support (and promotion).

Thanks to Ann Layton of Siren Communications, my fellow hotel lover and good friend. Many of the hotels described in this book I experienced because of you.

Special loving thanks to my beautiful little girl, Isabelle. It was through her inspiration that I was able to see this wonderful place and this magnificent experience as the magical dream come true living and writing this book really was.

And thanks to the griffin on the northeast corner of the Royal York for keeping an eye on me by day and by night.