I wrote about an experience of staying at the Ritz Carlton in Boston last fall, and since that time I've had occasion to visit again on a few more occasions. The reason that I have been traveling there is a very important one, and it's also one that is for something that I need to have rest and focus and to be prepared for. It has to do with other places that I need to travel to for meetings and presentations and discussions, and everything I am doing in the rest of my life still needs to keep being able to keep going while I am traveling back and forth. The first time I stayed at the Ritz, I wrote about my history of going to the old one with my Mother for tea, and also about the wonderful children's book by E.B. White, "The Trumpet Of The Swan" that describes in part of it an actual swan who stays at the Ritz and eats watercress sandwiches and sleeps in the bathtub.
My experiences at the Ritz are not quite like the swan's, but in some ways I feel almost like there is something about me and my life and the way I'm experiencing the beautiful hospitality of the Ritz and its wonderful staff that reminds me of that wonderful book and that swan. When I arrive there, they know me by name, something that is so comforting when you're traveling any time, but especially when you feel like you just want to relax and feel welcomed in preparation for the other things that you need to be ready to do. This last time I was there, I arrived a bit early for the usual check-in time, and the lovely woman who greeted me made a change in my room so that I wouldn't have to wait. I had called earlier to let them know, but I had told them that I didn't mind waiting. There is a wonderful area in the Club Lounge to have some refreshments, and I had said that as long as I could do that I'd be fine. But she went above and beyond to make sure that I had an actual room to go to when I arrived, and not only did she make a change to accommodate my early arrival, the room she changed me into was a very special one. I felt like a princess when I walked in and saw it, and I was so grateful to her for her kindness and generosity and consideration.
The Club Lounge itself is a wonderful treat to have available. The food and experience there is delightful, and the staff so welcoming and charming, kind and helpful. It really is such a blessing of an experience that I look forward to, and although my travel is not for a vacation, having such wonderful people and such a wonderful hotel experience makes it feel like it is one, because I'm in a place where I can rest and relax and be taken care of.
True hospitality is an art and a gift. Some people and places can make you so happy to be there, and can help you feel like you're special and treasured and welcomed. Even the staff who I see in the hallways there have smiles that are genuine and kind, and each place where I go and each person I speak with has something pleasant and enjoyable to share in their conversation. I'm so blessed to have this haven to go to on my journey, and this wonderful place with wonderful people who make this experience so special. It's beautiful to remember their hospitality as I write about it, and beautiful to have their blessing when I am there.
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