A Good Hotel Can Make or Break Your Vacation!

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What’s the number one thing for you to consider when making vacation plans? For me, after selecting the destination, the hotel accommodations are essential and here’s why!

Whether you are traveling for an adventure, a romantic get away, or relaxation, the one common denominator is you want peace of mind.   I’m reminded of my first European vacation in 2008 when my good friends and I explored London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Imagine walking into this nondescript hotel lobby that looks seemingly ok; however, the front desk personnel looks super sketchy and after checking in recommends, my three friends and I take the lift separately because it’s to small to carry us and our luggage.  Once we get to our floor, it was eerily dim and looks like it’s out of some horror movie like Hostel. Long story short, we didn’t even want to touch the bed!  We did what any take charge, boss woman would do, we regrouped, accessed the terrible internet, and found this cool hotel website with amazing deals, I have no idea if the website still exists; however, we were able to access some amazing hotel deals at a fraction of the cost and get peace of mind our vacation would not end like a scary movie. Who knew this would be a defining moment that would lead me to becoming a jet-setter, enjoying amazing hotels all over the world, and a Travel Advisor for Love and Leisure Boutique Travel Agency. 

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I will highlight one of my favorite hotels on the trip:

Boscolo Excedra Roma, which was acquired by Marriott and renamed Palazzo Naiadi, The Dedica Anthology, Autograph Collection is a modern iteration of a late 19th-century palace that captures the enchanting essence of Rome, Italy.

This unique, 5 star hotel was pure elegance and in the heart of Rome. We we were able to explore amazing restaurants and historical sites. 

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I highly recommend visiting:

  • The Colosseum

  • The Vatican 

  • Saint Peter’s Basilica

  • Spanish Steps

  • Pantheon 

  • and so much more!  

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Although it’s been 12 years since my first European vacation, my all time favorite experience was eating so many wonderful dishes with amazing friends. The pasta and bread was fresh and extremely delicious. I still look back fondly and remember the unique cultural aspects. 

  • It’s not customary to tip your wait staff. I still feel if someone goes above and beyond, it’s nice to recognize exceptional service. 

  • Water and bread typically are not free, when our waiter brought us bread and said, “It’s on the house,” it was still on our bill. 

  • When trying new restaurants, steer clear of the touristy areas for a more authentic experience 

Italy is by far one of my favorite countries where I have visited with some of the most amazing hotels and delicious food. Next month, I will highlight when I traveled to Milan in 2019. 

Drop a note in the comments of your best and worst hotel experiences. 

Cheers! 

Writer: Chericka Johnson, Travel Advisor