Living the High Life

While in Atlanta, my bloggy friend Kim from Window To My World and I stayed at the designated hotel, the Omni. It was half a block away from the Georgia World Congress Center where ICRS was being held, and I don't think our feet could have handled being another half block farther than that! I've stayed in some nice hotels before, but last week was a glimpse of a standard of living that I don't generally experience. I enjoyed it but it seemed like each perk had its hassle! (Note: this post is not meant in a gripey, critical spirit but in a light-hearted manner.)

VALET PARKING

• The good: It was nice driving right up to the door, getting out, and not having to worry about finding a spot, walking through a downtown garage, and remembering where we parked the next time we wanted to go somewhere.
• The hassle: Tipping! Every time we came and went, we had to tip the valet. It definitely made us organize our trips - on our sight-seeing days, for example, we stayed gone and didn't come back to the hotel to rest for an hour before leaving again for dinner. Tipping is the one thing I really hate about service.

COMPlIMENTARY MORNING BEVERAGE

• The good: When we checked in, I received a card for each day to fill out and hang on the door by 2:00 am indicating if I wanted coffee or juice brought to the room (along with the newspaper) each morning. I could check off the time I wanted it delivered (in 15-minute increments) and they would knock and leave it outside the door.
• The hassle: One morning they brought it earlier than I had requested and knocked louder than usual, which woke me up. Now it was a BIG hotel, and I understand that if someone just a few doors down had an order at an adjacent time slot, they might want to bring them both up at the same time. But if that is what they will do, then don't give the option of 15-minuter time slots!

TURN-DOWN SERVICE

• The good: Each evening we came in to find our bed linens turned back and our hotel robes neatly laid across the bed.
• One night we came back while the gal was in the process of doing it. That was kinda awkward. We just waited in the hall until she was finished. And I always thought they were supposed to put a chocolate on your pillow?! Nary a one for us; it's soooo hard to find good help these days! Besides, I really don't think it's that hard to pull the covers back before I get in the bed!

CABLE TV

• The good: We had a nice flat-screen TV in our room, although we were so busy we didn't even really turn it on.
• The hassle: Atlanta is the home of CNN, and our hotel was connected to the CNN center. Therefore, the first SIX stations on the remote were CNN-related. Fox News was the last one (#34)!

OTHER CONUNDRUMS:
Atlanta is the Land of Coca-Cola. Heaven forbid if you are a Texas gal and want a Dr. Pepper. I finally accidentally found one on Thursday afternoon.

Everything is bigger in Texas, but Georgia may win with this restroom. It was on one of the meeting room levels at the hotel. It was so impressive that I had to take a picture! Each of these doors opens into a private stall, and there were more behind me. I think it must have had 30-35 stalls, and I believe there were 12 sinks. Just walking in was overwhelming! It seemed like it was never-ending!

As much fun as it was to live the high life, I don't think I would like it on a regular basis. I am a tad too independent. I feel strange having folks do for me what I can do for myself.

Although I could definitely get used to the daily maid service!