In the big-picture budgeting of life, there’s rarely room for fancy hotels. I can count my top hotel experiences on 10 fingers; among them are the Grand Hotel in Stockholm and Brown's in Lisbon. But, no matter how you look at it, staying in a hotel is always a unique experience. A friend of mine, who’s making his first steps in hotel life, says a good hotel ‘takes care of you’, and I might add - a really good hotel creates a micro-cosmos of luxury around you.
On my way to a massage, after a great night sleep
When you leave a great hotel room, you float on a cloud of luxury and self-importance, your chic factor amplified to the max. When you return, you feel immediately at home, but in a slightly more curated way. In the future, I plan on gorging on hotels and becoming jaded and cynical about them, like it's no big deal. But for now, I’m always open to their reclusive magic.
 Les Mars bedroom |  |
On my recent stay to Les Mars, a Healdsburg institution, I tried to notice how a great hotel (which Les Mars, despite the fact I’m not a fan of Victorian style, definitely is) alters reality and creates an alternative pace. Have you ever noticed that when in a hotel….
 When it rains, it’s magical, especially if you’re sitting by the fireplace, looking at foreign life running below. |  At a hotel, you’ll eat anything, throwing dietary restrictions and caution to the wind. Of course, when it’s room service! |
 You're acting way sillier that the grand atmosphere allows, out of sheer excitement. |  Suddenly, newspapers, those antiquated pieces of paper you recycle absentmindedly, are classy and fascinating. |
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My stay was short and sweet, but I did manage; a lavender bath; three wardrobe changes; endless snacking; watching Chopped!; journaling; a massage; hosting a friend for breakfast. Staying alone, I had a lot of thinking done - hotels tend to be a cozy brainstorming hub for one. I outlined some resolutions, ordered a new phone (!) and got to walk around Healdsburg with an umbrella I wasn’t too worried about losing, because it belonged to the hotel. I highly recommend both - having a hotel room all to yourself, and not worrying about that umbrella.
Thank you for having me, Thankfully, There’s Healdsburg! Thankfully indeed.