Man, I love to travel. I love getting out of dodge and seeing new things. I wish I could do it much more often, too, and by “more often,” I imply every month! I’d love to be able to go someplace new one weekend a month…

Do you hear that, future eccentric billionaire who’s going to fund my life of leisurely travel? I would very much appreciate one all-expenses-paid weekend trip per month. I mean…if you don’t mind. It sure would be nice.

פרסומת

Thanks to El Hub and frequent flyer miles, last weekend in Monterey we stayed at the Portola hotel & medspa best down by Fisherman’s Wharf.

Naturally, this calls for a list of five things I love about hotel rooms. דברים כמו…

A standard room at the Portola hotel & medspa in Monterey, California
1. trying new charm products

GIRL, you know it’s true: first thing I do after I put down my luggage and open the curtains is make a beeline for the restroom to check out the complimentary charm products. The Portola had products from a brand I’d never heard of before, Olive Branch Botanicals? They had all the essentials — bar soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

פרסומת

חתולים & סווטשירט איפור ??

$ 42.

קנה עכשיו

My fave was the body wash, which smelled a little like orange flowers, and it was good stuff, too. My skin felt good and soft and moisturized. I’ll have to keep an eye out for much more products by Olive Branch Botanicals…

2. Robes

OH! — the robes! Can’t forget about the robes. You gotta rock the robe if there’s one in the room. I like to wear them after I take a shower, while I’m getting ready for the day, or while I’m just lounging around the room.

I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about wearing a robe in a hotel room… just makes it all feel a little much more indulgent, like yeah, you know it! I’m really treating myself!

3. trying different teas, coffees and coffee machines

So, at home I have a boring old drip coffeemaker… It serves me just fine, but on trips I always take full advantage of any fancy schmancy hotel room coffeemakers, especially when they come with a selection of different teas and coffee flavors, and on this trip the room had a Keurig!

I was all about the Decaf breakfast Blend…

4. Patios and balconies

If the room has a patio or a balcony, score! I always try to spend a little time out there if possible. I’ll go out with a cup of coffee or my journal and just delight in the quiet time… Or, in some cases I’ll sit there and people watch. That’s fun too. I’m the kind of person who needs a little quiet time everyday.

Oh, and then there’s…

5. room service! (Specifically, breakfast)

Room service typically costs an arm and a leg, so it’s not something I do all the time, but when I can, I’ll splurge on a room service breakfast.

I like it when the hotel gives you one of those cards with the breakfast selections on it that you make little checkmarks on and then hang on the deal with outside the door. You just put your delivery time best on there, and then, voila! — someone brings you breakfast the next morning THAT YOU DIDN’T have TO cook (which, clearly, is the most essential part of the experience). Eggs, maybe some bacon, toast, coffee, juice — all that yummy breakfast stuff.

Also, because I never eat food in my bed at home, of course I always have to when I travel.

פרסומת

I mean, you gotta do what you gotta do.

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