Millions of people travel on a weekly basis and stay at hotels that they call, their home away from home. What criteria does one look for to become loyal to a hotel or brand? Besides the special corporate rate and the reason of, “My employer has me stay there!”, what are the subtle traits, qualities or characteristics of an establishment, that keeps you coming back? For those who have that special home away from home, please do share their secret.
November 11, 2007 at 1:12 am |
Anna,
This may not be what you expected, but my “home” away from “home” is wherever I can find a hotspot for my trusty wireless Vaio laptop, or otherwise get access to: (1) personal E-mail, (2) school E-mail, and (3) work E-mail.
If a hotel will guarantee me the above on a 24/7 basis, (and the “free-er” the better), I will gladly give them my patronage. Because I am usually on the go and have 6 or 7 pots on my stove at all times, I care much less about amenities and the room quality or even food (I much prefer to buy a great freshly made sandwich from a nearby deli). An extra wide working table works best for me, and a printer (b&w ok) would be for me like having a jacuzzi.
I have been living in such a cyberspace world since 1984 (same year I opened my consulting company), and I would literally feel “lost” without such connectivity.
My discovery this year (2007), is that I can actually live WITHOUT a cell phone during my entire 8.5 hrs of login time as an employee. Reason: my work location does not allow wireless devices or cell phones of any nature, even if they are turned OFF. It is a blessing in disguise, because only the most important callers will take the time to leave a message. I will give out my work phone number, but only to a select few.
Cheers,
DrA
November 12, 2007 at 5:21 am |
Hi Anna,
For about 18 months I was traveling from the bay area to Santa Monica on a weekly basis and staying one night away. With that sort of schedule what became important to me was to find a place where I could build a relationship with those at my home away from home. That was not happening at the hotels suggested by my company travel service. I remember asking at one of the larger hotels recommended if it would be possible to get a locker to keep some clothes in. They said yes but every time I accessed the locker they would need to search my suitcase. No thanks! I ended up finding a boutique hotel, well apartment hotel really, that was just the fit. A beautiful old art deco building on a quiet street but still within walking distance to the office. Only problem being that they did not have staff on site after 6:30 PM and I was always going to be later than that. We soon worked out that they would hide a key for me under a brick in the garden and I could check in and pay for the nights stay on my way out the next morning. Not only would they let me keep some clothes there they would put my suitcase in the room for me so it was there when I got in! I soon became friends with the staff and we enjoyed chatting, trading restaurant recommendations, etc. during our morning check in/check out visits. I swear some trips felt like more of a mini vacation than business travel. What made that situation work so well was something so very simple – we honestly cared about each others welfare. And isn’t that what makes any home a home?
November 13, 2007 at 3:12 am |
Hi Dr. A,
Thank you for your comment about what makes your home away from home, Home. I think many would agree with you. The list of “must haves” as a modern day road warrior, are really necessities to stay in touch and keep up. All the techie gadgets that we cannot live with today were so foreign 20+ years ago. It would be neat to go back in time and pose this same question to the frequent traveler. What do you think your answer would have been? The sign of the times seems to shape what we envision as our home away from home, 2007.
Anna
November 13, 2007 at 3:32 am |
Hi Brian,
Thank you for sharing your story about what makes your home away from home, Home. Your story is an example of what I have always felt was the essence of Hospitality. Being genuinely hospitable is showing true compassion, warmth, attention and care for our guest and each other. We are empowered to deliver service that goes above and beyond guest expectations and if we are true to offering that, we must be good listeners and be sensitive in offering the small comforts of home. Thank you again for sharing your story that hits home. Instead of leaving the light on for you, I’ll leave the key under the brick for you.
Anna