Hotel Paradise.

A little confession here: I love hotels. Its home away from home especially if the hotel’s welcoming guests with their comfy to luxurious décor, has an excellent staff, and if there’s a bar in the hotel available for those late nights. I’m sure some of us had those late nights where you just want a beer / whiskey / wine / (insert your favorite beverage) to unwind after a long day…and bend the bartender’s ear for a bit. It’s a sweet escape from the day to day routine.

My love affair with hotels began on April 2005 in Indianapolis, IN for the Star Wars Celebration III convention. (*Star Wars fan here!*) Granted I stayed in other hotels before, but there was something about the Columbia Club hotel that won my heart. The ambience throughout the hotel was soothing. And then came…the bathtub. (photo credit: Columbia Club Hotel's website.)

I’d never experienced bliss as I had when I took my first bath in that gorgeous, huge bathtub. When I say huge, I mean the tub was about 6’ plus long. It felt like I was floating in a mini-pool! (My true desire is to have this bathtub with Jacuzzi jets. I’m serious!)  

Between the blissful baths, staying on high floors with city views and sleeping in soft bed sheets, I was spoiled and wanted more. And more I’d received from various hotels: free hotel rooms, high-count thread bed sheets (credit: my photo),

sleeping in king-sized beds (credit: my photo),

rooms on a higher floor with fantastic city views (credit: my photo),

spacious suites with a full kitchen/kitchenette (credit: my photo).

I even slept in a hotel where there was a chandelier above my bed. Thank you, Hotel Elysée! (photo credit: Hotel Elysée's website.)

Aside from all of this, I love hotels because I feel more open and creative when I write. Granted I could sit at a hotel lobby, café, or restaurant without actually booking a hotel room. But it’s not the same compared to writing my thoughts under those high-counted thread bed sheets. (Adding those sheets on my must-own at home list too.)

If you travel a lot for business, pleasure and/or both, definitely take advantage of any of your favorite hotel’s Reward Programs and enjoy yourself. It’s worth it!