Staying in a Hampton Inn recently got me to thinking about how hotels have changed since I was a kid. Not that I had much experience staying in them years ago because my family never traveled anywhere, but there was one time where we drove to Buffalo to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle, staying overnight in Syracuse at a motel. There were tiny, wrapped bars 
of ivory soap in the bathroom, but other than that there were no amenities like shampoo and conditioner, and if I remember correctly the television got - maybe - four channels. There were twin beds and a folding cot between them in the room for my two sisters and me. My brother stayed in my parents' room. I seem to think hotels were about convenience and cleanliness and that's about it. I even remember that it might have been a Howard Johnson's and we ate dinner and breakfast there before heading out the next day to complete the trip. Back then even the NY State Thruway was a bit more spartan, with very few truck stops but not much else along the way.
Things have improved in both categories, but no doubt we pay for the luxuries. On this trip I enjoyed not having to pack shampoo and conditioner, and the fact that there were two types of soap - one for body and one for face - was an added bonus. I don't even have that at home! The television must have gotten a couple dozen channels and we even had the option of HBO if we had wanted it. In addition, the hotel boasted "luxury linens and your choice of pillows" on our king sized bed, allowing us to go with firm or soft pillows, and a comforter that enveloped us in warmth. My only complaint was the noisy air conditioner which sounded like a lawn mower every time it started up. There was an indoor pool and a nice work-out room which I gladly took advantage of.
Not only have hotels become wonderful places to rest your weary head, but the rest stops along the major roadways are also things of beauty. They offer numerous places to catch a bite, and the bathrooms are clean. And we no longer need to put a dime in the door to get into a toilet stall. I can't believe we used to have to do THAT! How many of us even remember it?
Traveling has changed for sure. But one thing hasn't: there's no place like home. It may not be luxurious, but it is familiar, and getting back there is always the best part of any trip.
of ivory soap in the bathroom, but other than that there were no amenities like shampoo and conditioner, and if I remember correctly the television got - maybe - four channels. There were twin beds and a folding cot between them in the room for my two sisters and me. My brother stayed in my parents' room. I seem to think hotels were about convenience and cleanliness and that's about it. I even remember that it might have been a Howard Johnson's and we ate dinner and breakfast there before heading out the next day to complete the trip. Back then even the NY State Thruway was a bit more spartan, with very few truck stops but not much else along the way.Things have improved in both categories, but no doubt we pay for the luxuries. On this trip I enjoyed not having to pack shampoo and conditioner, and the fact that there were two types of soap - one for body and one for face - was an added bonus. I don't even have that at home! The television must have gotten a couple dozen channels and we even had the option of HBO if we had wanted it. In addition, the hotel boasted "luxury linens and your choice of pillows" on our king sized bed, allowing us to go with firm or soft pillows, and a comforter that enveloped us in warmth. My only complaint was the noisy air conditioner which sounded like a lawn mower every time it started up. There was an indoor pool and a nice work-out room which I gladly took advantage of.
Not only have hotels become wonderful places to rest your weary head, but the rest stops along the major roadways are also things of beauty. They offer numerous places to catch a bite, and the bathrooms are clean. And we no longer need to put a dime in the door to get into a toilet stall. I can't believe we used to have to do THAT! How many of us even remember it?
Traveling has changed for sure. But one thing hasn't: there's no place like home. It may not be luxurious, but it is familiar, and getting back there is always the best part of any trip.
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