Happy New Year to our Hosts that Treat us as Family

I earned Marriott Gold in 2005 and Platinum for 2006. I would love to say that it was mainly due to my business booming and jetsetting all over the world (that's the 2007 plan!). Actually it was primarily due to two aging parents in two different states, both requring me to spend lots of time in hotels.



We travel for business. We travel for fun. But I guarantee you I never really got the importance of true hospitality from a hotel staff until I traveled for this. Spending days that turned into weeks, not at the top of my game, dragging myself in after a long day cleaning a house of 40 years worth of dirt and memories, or days of jumping from medical facility to yet another one...all on emotional, mental and physical overload.

And since I was by myself they provided the hugs, the comfort, little surprises in my room to lift my spirits and a friendly ear when I needed to unload sometimes. And one of the first flowers I got after my dad died were from "Your Friends at the Residence Inn".Hospitality is easy when a guest is "in a good place". It is when you can provide it outside of the comfort zone that it really shows how good you are.

I also became a huge fan of extended stay hotels. They are not for every situation, but they worked well for me.

And so to my dear friends at the Residence Inn in Westford, MA and my newer friends at the Residence Inn in Morgantown, WV ---thank you.

And a Happy New Year to all of you!