I’ve slept in a number of hotels in the last month. I only had one less-than-perfect stay and that was in St. Augustine, Florida. I can’t even tell you the name of that hotel. Mr. Virgo spoiled me with hotels and restaurants since that was his career. He taught me what to look for, how you give feedback in a way that ensures a problem is fixed, when and how to send food back, and how to ask for a better rate. Consequently, I can be pretty critical of hotels and restaurants so when one goes above and beyond, I like to give kudos.

I rarely make reservations ahead of time when I travel, which would have made Mr. Virgo crazy. He had to know where we were going, when we would get there, and what restaurants were in the immediate vicinity. I find the walk in rate is generally lower than what you find on the internet. Sometimes you can get better rates on the discount travel sites like Travelocity or Hotels.com.

My friend Deneene and I drove to Cincinnati on Wednesday. I was riding shotgun so we navigated to the funeral home first so we would know where it was then backtracked to find a hotel. I will not stay in a motel with the door opening to the outdoors. I’ve stayed at too many where street people pound on your door at 3:00am. It’s safer to be in a hotel with indoor hallways and resulting security cameras when you’re traveling alone or don’t have a man with you. At least, that’s my feeling so that’s what I do.

When we got to an area with multiple chain hotels, I did a search and found a number of affordable rooms, but I was drawn to this particular one…Hampton Inn Cincinnati – King’s Island. The price was $109. I told you before when I was traveling in Florida that I ask the front desk if they can meet the discount price on my app. Well, again, I felt this nudge when I went in and didn’t say anything. Just “Do you have a room for two with two Queen beds?” The desk clerk quoted me $89.99…already much lower than the Internet price. Then I asked if they had an AARP rate and they went down to $80.29! And, let me tell you…it was well worth every penny. The bed was comfortable and the linens divine. And I have to say, breakfast was great but I was especially taken by the personal messages written on every banana in the fruit basket. It’s little touches like that which gives a hotel stay that something extra and makes you feel pampered and special.

Staying in hotels with nice, new mattresses and box springs really brought home how abysmal the mattress was that I’ve been sleeping on at the farm. I swear it’s at least 30-40 years old…maybe more. I noticed when I got home that one of the area K-Marts was closing and they had Serta mattresses and box springs 40% off so I bought a set. It seems the box springs is about 3/4″ smaller than the old one so when I sat down on it, it went right down through the frame and hit the floor with a thud. Today I measured and went to Lowe’s for boards to use as slats in the bed frame. In case you don’t know this, you can give your measurements to the staff in the lumber department at Lowe’s and they will cut it for you. Pretty handy if you don’t have power tools! Now I have my comfy new bed at home and I feel like the vacation is ongoing and with the temp in the high 60’s yesterday, and a long walkabout, it still is! ❤️

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬