One of the highlights at the start of a hotel stay is when you are shown to a gorgeous room and there’s champagne or chocolates or some such other surprise left as a welcome treat. Nothing says hello and welcome to R&R better than that!
The Chewton Glen and Cliveden House are particularly good at this…
Round Hill definitely raised the game with a litre bottle of rum as well a bottle of fizz… And this view!
Much as I love these treats, and to collect hotel soaps… For me it is the uniqueness and quirks throughout a property that really make somewhere special….
A treehouse in the Drakensberg on our honeymoon in South Africa
A private island off the coast of Maine last June where we took in the view (and the wine), read our books and totally relaxed
Unexpected responsibility for pets (alpacas) that were in a field right next to our little cottage in Dittisham
Driving through the dust to the most magnificent palace hotel
Going on a city break and finding a stunning out of town location to stay in
Swimming in a 100 metre pool and visiting the first hotel I put on my hotel bucket list
But more than this it is sometimes the simplest things that make somewhere memorable. And in the past few weeks in my London home away from home that has been none other than the Apex rubber ducks! I am quackers (just generally with 100 hour weeks) about them!
The Apex hotel group leave a rubber duck in all rooms for guests to take home! A different one for each hotel! I have lots of the red Fleet Street ducks already, at home and cluttering up my desk at work! When I checked in this time I decided to ask how I could get some others, front of house thought I was quackers… Or did she… When I came back to the hotel the next evening I heard a call of Mrs Parker! Firstly this is impressive – it is a busy London hotel and they know my name. Impressed. Secondly, and far more interestingly, the same lady was thrilled to tell me she had done some research and found me some other duck friends…
It is such a great idea – it’s a unique bit of fun! The hotel also has an elephant in its elegant courtyard, as well as a cow. I am really not sure why, but it’s a pretty funky bit of Fleet Street! Better still it is 2 minutes from the office, and incredibly peaceful!
So yes, uniqueness and quirks are what make somewhere memorable for me!
There are no rules – basically all we ask is that you check out some of the other cool bloggers that are involved in that months travel link up; make a few comments here and there and tweet a few of the posts out to your followers that you think they will love. It’s a great way to meet some new travel bloggers and share some blogging joy!
I love getting little presents in the room, such a personal touch!
Author
It is so simple for the hotel, but we all remember and like it!
cute ducks:)
Author
I need to visit more of their hotels to grow the family
Those ducks would certainly put a smile on my face along with plenty of vino especially putting in 100 hour weeks! Why is Q4 always so manic!? Roll on Christmas!!
Author
Why oh why didn’t they just leave me wine… Roll on end of October for me!
The rubber ducks are indeed an interesting find in a hotel room! That was lovely of the hotel to find you more duck friends 🙂 #travellinkup
Author
They must have realised I needed amusement in my working day!
Those are pretty cool hotel rooms! Ahhh the luxury!
Author
Superb treats, luxury is better if it is individual and thoughtful, I don’t enjoy mass-production luxury
Great read – I want to stay somewhere with Llamas! 😉
Author
Such a diversion, a bit different to a household dog! We once stayed somewhere in Wales which had a house-sheep
Every hotel should come with alpacas and duckies! (I’m quite serious about that!)
Author
I’m sad this week, the Mondrian doesn’t have either! It is pretty cool though
I second that!
Author
very glad it isn’t just me!!
I would love to find alpacas outside my hotel! I feel like I need to research hotels so I can have a hotel bucket list now as well after reading about so many amazing places from this link up!
Author
the hotel bucket list is a dangerous thing i’m sorry for suggesting it 😉