Those Special Touches

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:36:06 +0000

So after last night, it really made me wonder what makes a hotel stand out from the rest. Is it the room, the service, the incredible food? During our stay, after we checked in we were greeted by name the entire time. At the restaurant, when I forgot my purse in the car and they brought it up to our room, when we ordered room service, when the maid stopped by. There’s something about being addressed by your name that makes the experience so much more personal and welcoming (even though you know they don’t know who you are). Here’s some personal touches that won me over and will always do so:

large bathtubs – need I say more? Even better if they have jets
plush robes and slippers – I’ve never been much about slippers, but when you are cold and they warm you up, nothing could be better.
Soothing toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, all Bulgari
plush pillows, a large bed – there’s even some places that have a pillow menu and others that guarantee you’ll have a good night’s sleep
free Internet - Should you really have to pay to go online when you are already paying $400 to stay overnight?
Good food, room service around the clock and my hotel companion would definitely say if a hotel will bring him chocolate milk at any hour of the night, it’s definitely worth a night back.
A good restaurant and bar, pool, large room, good view and all the others that you typically think of

Although, it didn’t happen last night, here are some other things that have won me over:

having a pet fish in my hotel room
a bottle of Bling Water and some goodies to snack on upon my arrival, very memorable

Photo (from our dinner at Acqua) [personal collection] Bling water [Travis Vocino flickr]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Best of the Best

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:19:21 +0000

Right now I am sitting in my hotel room at the Four Seasons in Miami. (Yes! This is the part of my job that I love. I’ve been jumping for joy ever since I got the invite.) I was invited down here for a wine dinner at their restaurant, Acqua that will take place this evening and for a stay in the hotel. This is my first stay at a Four Seasons and yes, it is quite nice, but for some reason I always thought it was the best of the best, something more that couldn’t be touched by others around. Now I am questioning that. (Or maybe I’ve just been spoiled and have been able to stay at some really great places.) I’ll have to see how the dinner goes, but its definitely comparable to other places that I’ve stayed before. Question here is: Where have you stayed that you were blown away by? Where has the service and the experience been so amazing that others don’t compare to it? Some of my favorites have included Hotel Monaco in Seattle, Hotel Helix in Washington D.C. (though I didn’t actually stay there) just visited the bar, Grove Isle in Coconut Grove and maybe even The Gaylord Palms - just a memorable experience. What about you?Photo Credit [Zach K]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

The South Florida Traveler » luxury

Those Special Touches

Best of the Best