Recently I had the pleasure of staying at Vancouver's newest and sexiest hotel. It was an amazing stay which brought back fond memories of when I moved to Vancouver in pursuit of a great hotel career. Well, it is almost 20 years later and this weekend also brought me back to reality and reminded me how much I take for granted in my privileged of careers.
As a hotel executive, I have access to several travel benefits for which I rarely take the time to enjoy. I stress TAKE TIME to enjoy. I usually am busily and happily taking care of the guests who stay at our hotels with optimal pleasure.
My view of a great hotel is acutely different than those who usually stay in our hotels. As someone who works in hotels, we are often referred to as "hotel snobs". Extremely high standards, we look for faults and know exactly how things should act out in the hotel.
My stay was pretty routine however it is the things I observed which made me realize who very different things looks through my "glasses".
It didn't phase me to see a sequin-clad "lady" in the cafe at 10am; - afterall they have to make a living. A hotel is a public place and unless someone is obsenely out of place or of illicit behaviour, we think nothing of it.
I never thought twice about ordering a Lemon Drop martini in the Lobby Bar which was not on the menu. Afterall, we're breed to believe the customer always comes first, whatever they ask for, we deliver (within reason...)
I played with my espresso machine making three decaf espressos complete with cup and saucer, times three.
I lounged in my suite's enormous soaker tub while browsing Nuvo magazine watching my adjacent in-mirror TV directly proceeded by a 35 minute rain shower, using all the towels, slippers and bathrobe.
I sat amidst the clouds on the 21st floor exclusive lounge patio admiring the North Shore mountains sipping wine and eating canapes. I busily looked for faults but couldn't find any!
And before I checked out, I took the time to neatly group the dirty towels, throw the sheets up, collect all the clutter and neatly leave the room. Never in a million years would a "hotel snob" leave their room in disarray. In twenty years, I've always "cleaned" my own room.
Call it crazy, but many of us tidy our room before leaving. I think it is the intimate compassion and appreciation we have for the work the housekeepers and everyone in the hotel performs. They work hard to please the guests who keep coming back and ultimately keep the circle of business flowing.
Afterall most of us did their job once. I guess you could say we wear rose coloured glasses.
