A room service attendant, Steve, who keeps his illiteracy a secret, faces personal and professional crises. Steve had to quit school when he was eight years old in order to support his family. His college-bound son, Rob, has a difficult time accepting his father when he finds out about his illiteracy without knowing the circumstances behind it. When Steve turns down a promotion and then tries to quit, Peter won't allow him, offering instead to pay for remedial education. Peter's ex-wife Janet comes to town seeking Peter's help in finding a job. Peter and Janet have stayed on good terms, and Peter gets her an interview at a small San Francisco hotel. Jealous that Peter and Janet are spending time together, Christine confronts Janet, only to learn that Janet has failed the physical exam for the job because she has a terminal illness. Janet realizes that the only person she can turn to is Peter.

Charles Cabot, half-owner of the St. Gregory Hotel, introduces Peter to Lee Jordon, who represents a resort conglomerate interested in buying the hotel. Peter resists any thought of a sale because running the hotel is the only life he wants. Lee is willing to settle for Charles's share and day-to-day participation in running the hotel. Peter obtains a bank loan to buy out Charles's share of the hotel; though Peter's offer is less than Lee's, Charles sells his share to Peter, making Peter the sole owner of the hotel. Two young married couples share a large suite for a brief vacation in San Francisco. Jonas Robinson, a nose-to-the-grindstone accountant, is married to Melissa, a frivolous fun-loving blonde; and journalist Sean Marris, a rakish bon vivant, is married to Kate, a prim, practical woman. A daytrip turns into an impulsive fling for Sean and Melissa, which draws Jonas and Kate together for a more serious affair.

Travel magazine editor Myrna Dawson has an irreplaceable heirloom emerald pin stolen and threatens to publish an unfavorable story about the hotel unless it is recovered. Billy contacts Phil Kroger, a noted private investigator specializing in jewel thefts on an international scale. Kroger spots Trevor Harris in the lobby and identifies him as the jewel thief he's been unable to catch. The news is surprising to Christine because Trevor Harris, a very personable man, has already charmed her into considering a dinner invitation. Christine accepts the invitation in order to keep Trevor at the hotel, while Kroger secretly plots to frame Trevor. Ben Garfield and his adoring nine-year-old grandson Jason arrive fresh from a fishing excursion in Yosemite. Ever since Jason's father (Ben's son) lost his life in a skydiving mishap, the boy's mother, Susan Garfield, has resented Ben's influence on the child. Susan is about to remarry. Because Ben has spirited Jason away without her knowledge or pe

Superstar Katherine Cole comes to town for a stage play, accompanied by her devoted manager Anthony. Katherine and Anthony's stormy love-hate relationship stretches back twenty years, and a misunderstanding at one of the rehearsals leads Katherine to fire Anthony. However, Katherine is too nervous to do the play without Anthony, and she frantically searches for him. After she finds him, he helps her face her fears and do the play. When Peter falls sick, the temporary secretary, Bobby, mothers him. While spoon-feeding chicken soup to Peter, Bobby suggests a blind date with her niece, Robin, who turns out to be the most gorgeous woman Peter has met in a long time. A hard-driving career woman, Pamela Harding, on a business trip away from her husband and young son, finds her long-missing ex-husband, Mike, among the hotel staff. Their reunion turns from acrimonious to passionate as they spend the night in Pamela's suite. When Pamela's husband Jeffrey Harding, and six-year-old Timmie, show u

The St. Gregory Hotel prepares for the elaborate wedding of Maggie Blackwood (MARY CROSBY), daughter of an aristocratic San Francisco family, and Jeff Strider (BOYD GAINES), adopted son of Gil Strider (STEVE FORREST), a computer manufacturer. However, prenuptial jitters set in and Jeff tries to deal with the anger he feels toward the mother he never knew who gave him up for adoption. On the eve of the wedding, Maggie's father, Lewis Blackwood (ROBERT STACK), is caught by his wife Eleanor (DINA MERRILL) with a Blackwood Company Executive, Paula (PATRICIA McCORMACK). Meanwhile, the groom's father is facing financial ruin as a result of his business partner's illegal stock manipulations. When Gil asks Mrs. Cabot for a temporary secretary, she arranges for the services of Teresa Clayborne (VERA MILES), whose expensive clothes seem out of range for a secretary. When the wedding rehearsal falls apart from all sides, Teresa intervenes to bring Maggie and Jeff back together and save the weddin

Television sportscaster, Larry Dawson, and his director, Biff Henry, are in San Francisco to telecast a '49ers' football game. When Larry's wife Maggie arrives unexpectedly, she finds her husband and Biff in a flagrant situation, and she's stunned when her husband admits he's bisexual. In spite of their dilemma, Larry and Maggie share a reunion with their son Kevin in town from school. Wealthy cement contractor Leo McGurty checks in with his voluptuous secretary, Ruby Turner, and enlists Mark's aid in refining the socially inept secretary. Mark tutors Ruby on art and culture, finding her to be a delightful diamond in the rough. Ruby is charmed, having never been lavished with so much attention. Leo puts a stop to the developing romance, but Mark warns him not to take Ruby for granted. In front of all the guests at an important social event, Leo proposes to Ruby, and she accepts. Christine emerges as a celebrity via her appearance in a Nutrawheat cereal commercial and is asked to becom

Former college friends Bob, Tom and Susan meet for a weekend reunion, all three having recently ended long relationships. When Bob and Susan sleep together, Tom's anger betrays his longtime love for Susan, and the reunion begins to disintegrate. Although Bob and Tom get into a fight, the three friends eventually reconcile. Meanwhile, Peter is jealous of Christine's affair with Adam Kirkwood, a wealthy, young, international businessman. Returning after a long mourning period for his late wife, the hotel's venerable chief of security, Art Patterson, believes that his assistant, Billy, is after his job. Patterson plants a bomb in the hotel basement. When George Sandler, a rich man with political aspirations, hosts a fund-raiser, Adam invites Christine and Peter. Trailing them is Mr. Rider, an FBI agent interested in Adam's illegal weapons shipments.

The marriage of Gerald and Ivy Milburn is threatened by jealousy as Gerald questions his wife's attentions toward Peter, and Ivy watches her husband befriend a sexy, but obviously broke woman, Tracy Benedict. Gerald offers Tracy money and a room at the hotel if she'll distract Peter from Ivy. Meanwhile, Ivy asks Peter to befriend Tracy and find out about her affair with Gerald. Complicating matters, Tracy's jilted fiancé arrives, determined to win her back. Determined to correct the Milburns' paranoia, Peter sends Tracy and Nick on their way as lovers. Bartender Frank Jessup trades jibes with waiter Joel Shubert, a homosexual tired of Frank's prejudice. Ironically, Frank soon learns that he has AIDS. Frank believes Joel to be the cause, but Joel has twice tested negative. Frank's ex-wife, Sheila , berates Frank as a closet homosexual, and his son, Elliot, thinks he's a junkie. Frank apologizes to Joel then reveals his problem to Christine, who tells him that his job is secure. However

Garment manufacturer Robert Matthews, whose business brings him to San Francisco twice a month, is having an affair with dress designer Lynn Patterson. Their affair is interrupted when Robert's dutiful wife Gail pays him a surprise visit. Distraught, Gail seeks the solace of an old friend, Margaret Hudson, who advises Gail to win back Robert's love. Meanwhile, Lynn informs Robert that she has tested positive for AIDS and that Robert has been exposed to the virus. Robert knows that if he tests negative, he won't have to admit his unfaithfulness to his wife. Christine finds an abandoned baby in one of the rooms and plays baby-sitter while Billy seeks out the mother. Christine, who had been abandoned by her own father at an early age, relates strongly to the motherless child. Christine obtains permission from the child services department to be the baby's foster parent. Noticing that Christine is getting too deeply involved with somebody else's child, Peter begins to show concern. The fol

A preacher and her husband are taking a break at the St. Gregory but there is pressure on her to preach on television. A man returns to the hotel and reminisces about a woman he met at the hotel 35 years ago.

Since the announcement of wedding plans for Peter and Devon Sloan, the interior designer hired to re-decorate the hotel, Christine has been depressed. Peter's fiancee has begun to interfere with hotel operations. Unable to convince Peter that Devon's meddling is hurting the hotel's operations, Christine resigns. Peter recognizes Christine's great value, but it's too late. Peter decides that he and Devon are too much alike and neither one could change enough to make their marriage work. Reluctantly, Devon agrees and packs for departure. Later, Peter begs Christine to return. One of the reasons Peter broke up with Devon is the love he still feels for Christine. Cliff Phillips, the personable new assistant manager, is enjoying the rekindling of a friendship he formed with two other men when they shared jury duty a year ago. Tom Conner, the aggressive jury foreman, arranged the reunion with Cliff and Joe Duran for a serious reason. Their jury had acquitted a suspected serial killer for lac

Leslie DeVeer, the owner of a hotel chain, seeks revenge against Mrs. Cabot; Leslie has never forgiven Mrs. Cabot for marrying the man Leslie loved. Leslie offers to make Peter the top executive of her six Caribbean luxury hotels. Angry that Leslie would make the offer to someone she'd just met, Craig Chase, Leslie's right-hand man, packs up and leaves. Peter meets with both women and tells them he can't accept Leslie's offer, since he knows it has to do with their rivalry. Journalist J.J. Powell intends to get an exclusive story from publicity-shy rocker Diz Wilder. Minus his wig and redheaded band, Diz Wilder sets off for a day of sightseeing, dressed neatly in a tweed jacket. Without letting on that she's a journalist, J.J. manages to meet Diz, who claims to be a travel agent. After spending the entire day and night together, J.J. refuses to expose Diz, but her editor publishes the article anyway. David and Martha Jane Connelly want to recreate their wedding day when they saw Libera

Christmas draws near as Susan Walker, a divorcee, checks in with her daughter, Lisa, at the same time that Paul Manning is rehearsing his ingenious robot, Tim. Lisa decides Paul should marry her mom. Lisa kidnaps the robot then insists that Paul join them for Christmas Eve at Grandma's house, where Lisa's matchmaking is a success. Christine hires Nicholas Edmund, a jovial old codger, to play Santa Claus for guests. When he requests a small advance, she borrows a ten-dollar bill from Peter, who is later distressed because the ten-dollar bill carried a girlfriend's phone number. Serendipitously, Peter's ten-dollar bill later returns to him, having passed through several hands. Lonely schoolteacher Agnes Simpson seeks yuletide companionship and discovers her former schoolmate Mrs. Cabot, who moves the employee party to Agnes's room. Room service attendant Ray Follard is forced by his bullying brother, Pike, to cooperate in a burglary scheme. Pike invades Mrs. Cabot's penthouse suite and f

Bellman Dave's amphetamine addiction takes its toll when he can't concentrate on his bar exams to become a lawyer. Megan temporarily moves in with Julie and is even tempted by the attentions of a handsome doctor. When Dave punches the doctor out in front of the hotel, he's suspended from his job. Dave's descent into addiction is even more painful for Megan as she discovers that she is pregnant with Dave's child. Attractive and young, Hayley Cole gets a job in the hotel antique shop, impressing both Christine and the widower antique dealer, Vernon Bennett. Hayley has recovered remarkably well from a ten-year coma, the result of a car accident in which she was abandoned by the young man who was driving. Hayley still has to walk with a cane and suffers from amnesia. She and the older Vernon share an emotional connection that goes beyond work. At a nightclub, Hayley meets pianist Tony Milner, whom she begins to date. She fails to recognize the pianist as the driver who had left her in the

With Christmas only two days away, new full owner Peter and general manager Christine prepare to host the annual St. Gregory Hotel staff party. Among the honored guests this year are Dave, the ex-bellman who became a San Diego attorney, and his pregnant wife Megan. Peter and Christine, returning from a Portland convention, become marooned in a remote mountain village when their rented Porsche breaks down. Because the local garage doesn't have the auto parts to repair the Porsche, Peter and Christine are forced to stay in a decrepit boarding house room with only one bed. On the second night, Peter and Christine share the bed with a hanging sheet as a partition, but eventually end up in each other's arms. Although they have drifted into friendship, the incident brings them closer together. The hotel party is in full swing as Peter and Christine return and learn that Megan has given birth to a healthy baby boy. They rush to congratulate the new parents, and Dave makes a short but touching

A convention of white supremacists led by Russell Slocum antagonize two elderly African-Americans, Carrie and Garland Fisk, who are on a long-delayed honeymoon. The Fisks return from shopping to find their room has been broken into and trashed. Pushed too far, Garland, disguised as a waiter, slips into the banquet room and flings a tray of food at Slocum. Peter informs Slocum that two of the hotel's chambermaids saw members of his group break into the Fisk's room. Peter packs the racists' bags and gives them a small refund, with a reimbursement for the Fisk's deducted. An overprotective mother, Helen Scofield, seeks psychiatric treatment for her 21-year-old daughter, Andrea, who has been mute since seeing her father burn to death. After a doctor recommends institutionalizing Andrea, the young woman wanders away from the hotel and befriends a street mime named Michael. With Michael's encouragement, Andrea speaks for the first time in ten years and begs Michael not to leave her. Michael

Peter hosts a reunion with college classmates Hal Dryer (GEOFFREY SCOTT) and Lester Hooten (CLIFF POTTS), who has become a rich cattle rancher and has married his college sweetheart, Tracy (DEBORAH MAY). The reunion turns sour when Hal flirts with Christine, and Lester becomes jealous of the warm rapport that develops between Peter and Tracy. Lester realizes, however, that his problems with Tracy stem from his long hours of work that leave her alone at the ranch. Mrs. Cabot decides she's lost touch with the workers and is determined to join them in their duties, a move which leads to nothing but aggravation for the staff as Mrs. Cabot fouls up their work. Playboy Ashley Bennett's (JOHN DAVIDSON) mother (BARBARA BAXLEY) has trapped him into a blind date with archeologist Dorothy Mintzer (SHELLEY SMITH), whereas Ashley has a date with a gorgeous model. Mistaking a spinsterish woman for Dorothy, Ashley trades places with a hotel bellman, Jon Kolzak (JAMES HOUGHTON). When the beautiful, re

The hotel is the setting for the fictitious wedding of popular soap opera stars Cliff Palmer and his leading lady, Stacy. When Cliff grants an interview to the charming young fan club president, Robin, she seduces Cliff over dinner, and they end up spending the night together. Cliff seems not to notice Robin's difficulty separating fiction and reality, laughing it off as a joke when she asks him not to go through with the on-camera wedding. It becomes clear that Robin is disturbed, however, when she puts on Stacy's wedding gown and attacks Cliff with a knife. A resourceful young shoe shiner, Hank, is determined to establish his own business in the hotel corridors, eluding Peter and charming the hotel staff. Eventually, Peter rewards Hank with his own approved shine stand. Meanwhile, the hotel is also hosting a sequestered jury. Feisty Estelle urges her roommate, Alison, to encourage an obvious pass by another juror, Joe. However, when Joe suggests dinner, Alison declines, much to Estel

Learning that Christine's boyfriend, Adam Kirkwood, is the FBI's prime suspect in an arms smuggling operation, Peter takes Christine to Agent Rider, who informs her that George Sandler, a powerful politician, and Adam are plotting to sell arms to guerrilla forces in the Third World. After planting a bomb in the hotel basement, security chief Art Patterson anonymously tips off the hotel and personally disarms the bomb in order to make himself a hero. When Billy finds evidence pointing to Patterson, Patterson asks for Billy's resignation. Over Peter's objections, Christine agrees to plant an FBI listening device in Adam's bedroom. When Adam catches Christine, Sandler insists on killing her, but Adam arranges for Peter to take Christine to safety. At the hotel, Billy agrees to resign, but Patterson eventually confesses to Billy and leaves the hotel security in Billy's hands.

Senator Tom Andrews has an opportunity to run for President, but his affair with newswoman Carly Knight stands in the way. Senator Andrews's wife, Gwen Andrews, knowing a divorce now would cost her husband the presidency, tells Carly that if Tom had to choose between Carly and the presidency, Tom would grow to hate Carly. After Carly calls off the affair, Senator Andrews announces his candidacy. Meanwhile, Holly Crane, Mrs. Cabot's niece, schemes to get Christine fired so she can assume her job. Holly poses as Christine in a phone call to Roy Iverson, Jr., offering sexual favors if he chooses the hotel for an upcoming convention. Peter tricks Holly into admitting she placed the call. Wallace Egan registers as Mr. and Mrs. Egan, but spends the whole time alone. The Egan's spent their honeymoon at the hotel, and though his wife died recently, Egan has returned for their anniversary. Mark's high school chemistry lab partner, Gloria, now 100 pounds lighter, is determined to get Mark to not

When Christine announces her resignation, the entire staff is saddened. Christine leaves a note for Mrs. Cabot explaining her frustration with Peter, who uses their professional relationship to avoid showing Christine his feelings. Both Julie and Megan become upset when Peter promotes Julie to Christine's vacated position. Christine is distraught because Peter didn't consult with her in finding a replacement, while Megan is jealous and doesn't understand why she was overlooked. After making an emotional speech at Christine's going away party, Peter is overcome by his feelings and heads for the hotel bar to drown his sorrow. Billy tells Peter to admit his love to Christine. Peter goes to her apartment, but he still can't express himself, and Christine gets into her cab to go to the airport. Peter blocks the cab with his car and finally pronounces his love for Christine. They fall into each other's arms. Peter and Christine's celebration is short-lived, however, when they are informed th

After army officers Nick Hauser and Rodger Gage check in for a weekend on the town, Rodger has an illicit rendezvous with his gay lover. In a gay neighborhood, street punks beat up Rodger, and Nick learns his army colleague's secret. Nick furiously demands that Rodger leave the hotel. Bellman Dave, who is Rodger's old friend, has a talk with Nick, helping him realize that Rodger is a good friend, regardless of his sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Elizabeth interferes with important communications between Christine and a potential client, making Christine look incompetent just as Charles Cabot is questioning Peter and Christine's managerial capabilities. Elizabeth also schemes to estrange Christine from Peter by spilling wine on her dress while visiting Peter. When Christine arrives to find Elizabeth wearing Peter's robe, Christine assumes the worst.

Peter has given Andrea Green, a photographer-friend of Julie's, a chance at the photo assignment for the new hotel brochure. Andrea's father Louis is highly critical of his daughter's work ethics, which leads to bitter family squabbling. Andrea's mother Sonya, rapidly succumbing to Alzheimer's, begs her husband and daughter to work things out. Architect David Welch befriends Christine and offers to help convert Christine's Napa Valley barn into a home. While Christine and David share a dinner date, David's ex-wife Rebecca visits Peter. Rebecca demands that Peter stop Christine's affair with her husband before the hotel gets caught up in a scandal. Later, Rebecca trips Christine on a stairway, causing her a painful fall. Peter tells Christine to work at home for a few days until he and Billy can get rid of the obsessive ex-wife. Rebecca, however, visits Christine in her apartment and holds Christine at knifepoint as she screams accusations. When a phone call from Peter interrupts the co

Prince Eric, a handsome and young member of Scandinavian royalty, has a chance meeting with Kathleen, the Irish maid traveling with the wealthy Jenks family. Entranced by her beauty, he invites her to a charity ball. Kathleen accepts, but doesn't learn until later about Eric's royal background. When Peter's date for the charity ball cancels, he asks Christine to take her place. Christine refuses, and Peter realizes how rude his invitation sounded. After Peter apologizes and asks Christine again, the two spend a pleasant evening together. Kathleen and Prince Eric dance together all evening, but when the prince begins speaking romantically of their future, Kathleen, who realizes their worlds are far apart, leaves in tears. The next morning, Eric finds Kathleen and proposes marriage, and Kathleen accepts. Meanwhile, Andy Harrington, who attends law school with the bellman, Dave, walks in on his mother, Barbara, as her new fiancé, Frank, injects her with cocaine. Andy is furious, but Barba

Paula Todd has a reunion with her long-lost sister, Stephanie, a workaholic antique dealer, and her husband, Preston Dwyer. Paula and Stephanie's meeting is emotional, but Stephanie keeps busy and leaves Paula and Preston together. After Preston reveals to Paula that Stephanie has become frigid, he makes a pass at Paula. Stephanie becomes furious, but Preston explains his predicament to his wife and declares his love for her. Stephanie decides to seek help, and the Dwyers embark on a second honeymoon. The hotel staff is excited that Mrs. Cabot will be interviewed by Alexander Heath for a magazine cover story. After various blunders by the well-meaning staff, Heath forsakes the ""quiet elegance"" theme of his article and praises the staff's unpretentious human qualities instead. When Owen Lloyd recruits a naïve teenager, Kelly Braden, into prostitution, Peter asks a retired madam, Rita LeLaine, to confront Lloyd and pretend the area is her territory. Unintimidated, Lloyd sets Kelly up wit