Can't Hide Authentic Quality
By now, you probably know that I LOVE staying at hotels for a quick 24 hours to do some work, jot down ideas, pray, read, and spend quiet time with God. It’s probably one of my favorite things in the world and I did it once a month in 2021 because the rates in the 30% occupancy hotels were unreal and they were desperate for local support. (Plus we couldn’t really go anywhere).
Going into 2022, I saw the prices of hotels start to go up as tourism started to bump again. And so, what I once paid in the$150-180 range in TOTAL for before, couldn’t get me the same anymore.
So I started researching other hotels to stay at that were in my 2021 budget.
It was hard to find.
I researched rooms, (tables and chairs) since that’s one of the most important things to me if you read an my blogs on the “Love” page, and found some, but forgot about their resort fee, the parking fee, the taxes and fees, the amenities, and all the things that added up again.
Plus they didn’t offer early check in or late check out so instead of 24 hours, I could get 21 at best.
And amenities I was used to like bottled water or coffee in the room, were not existent.
But either way, I decided to give one a try.
I found a place that looked picture perfect online, but when I arrived, I was very disappointed. It reminded me of the power of marketing and the responsibility we have to deliver what we portray.
Thought it was beautiful when you did a wide snapshot, once you walked up to the furniture and touched it, you could feel the quality. You could see the cracks, the paint, the bugs, the stuff you cannot hide with photo shop. Plus in the image, there were other beautiful things portrayed that did not actually come with the room.
Unfortunately, I did not feel relaxed. It did not feel like a “hotel haven" per the definition of “haven.” Again, the wide shot of the photo I took was nice, but the experience that couldn’t be captured, wasn’t as beautiful. It had a funny smell, the air felt stuffy, like it wasn't circulating well, the toilet kept running, I could hear all of the thumping in the old building, and I kept my windows shut because the “city view” of the close hostel and wires just outside weren’t much to look at.
It reminded me of how much authentic high quality matters to me and for that I am very thankful. It was in a way, a lesson learned. I also found, the opportunity now to make sure I went back to work to check the consistency of the quality of what we show, to the actual product received. It made me greatly appreciate the authentic high quality experiences I do receive. I also found hope for our future because even in moments like this, it made me motivated to make sure I provide the authentic high quality and experiences I personally enjoy.
So thank you unnamed hotel, for teaching me something new.