ANDRE BEGIN

Back in the 1990s, when I was still new to my career, I was most honoured to be asked from time to time to go on business trips. To me, it meant that I was leaving a positive impression on my management team for them to entrust me with the responsibility of representing our office in meetings with clients or our counterparts in the field. As a young man in his late 20’s and early 30s, I enjoyed being able to travel across the country, to meet new people and to use my skill set in different ways.

I even remember several of my hotel stays from that era, sometimes feeling like I had just fallen off the turnip truck, delighted beyond belief at the little luxuries offered by hotels to help travelers feel like it was their home away from home.

What has surprised me recently is how the little extras that used to be fairly standard aren’t always there anymore. Some hotels still offer them, while others might only offer them in upgraded rooms. Either way, it’s up to us as consumers to do our homework to ensure that the perks we value most are there before we book a room.

For example, in the 1990s, I loved waking up and having a newspaper sitting on the hallway floor by my door. Whether it was a local paper or a national one, I enjoyed casually sipping my coffee, finding out what was happening in the world, and offering me some speaking points on current events should they come up in conversation.

I’ve always enjoyed the big, fluffy, plushy bathrobes in hotels. I enjoyed them so much that the one I purchased for myself was very much inspired by the ones you could get in hotels. To me, they evoke a luxurious spa feeling, perfect for enjoying a more leisurely paced morning. During some of our recent hotel stays, I was disappointed when I got to the room, opened the closet door, and there were no bathrobes to be found.

In my day-to-day life, I appreciate the efficiency of showers from a time and water management perspective. But when I have time to spare, lingering in a bath is a guilty pleasure. When traveling for the fun of it, my creaky joints and bones appreciate a good soaking in a tub after a day of exploring and taking in the sights. You can imagine my surprise to see some hotel rooms with only a shower and no tub.

Since the pandemic, I have noticed that some hotel shops have closed. To me, they were always great for picking up those items I may have forgotten to bring when I was new to business travel. They were also helpful as a quick stop I could make if I needed a bottle of water, a snack or a small dose of over-the-counter medication. Now, when my hotel doesn’t have one, I tend to take note of the nearest convenience stores and pharmacies, just in case.

Finally, I miss the minibars that used to be fairly standard in hotel rooms. Even though I only purchased items a handful of times over the course of my life, I appreciated having those tempting treats close at hand, just in case. More often than not, I’d use the minibar fridge to keep a small container of milk or yogurt ready for a quick snack. I even remember one occasion when I was taking medication that needed to remain chilled, which I was able to store in the minibar fridge. One time, the front desk staff left an anniversary treat for my partner and me in the minibar to our great joy and surprise. For me, the minibar served many purposes over the years.

I can appreciate how hotels might need to contain costs, especially given the ebb and flow of tourism through different seasons and conditions. It is regrettable that to do so, some of the perks that made a hotel stay feel elevated to me might have been sacrificed or reserved for more exclusive rooms and guests. I completely understand.

Just the same, when a great hotel ticks all of the boxes for comfort, security and cleanliness, the extra little luxuries can become the icing on the cake that make a return visit all the more inviting.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André