I’m not one to drop names, brag or tell you how far I’ve traveled. I am, however, well traveled
and for a reason. Not because I’m among the rich jet-setters, no, far from it. In 1988 I created the
Scandal Tours, or “Theatre on the Bus,” as front-page headlines in the Wall St. Journal announced it. From
that point for another four years when I sold the business, it was not unusual for me to be in Peter
Jennings ABC News, Paula Zahn CBS Morning, Japan Nippon TV, Australia TV, major worldwide
magazines and newspapers and regular reports from AP, Reuters and UPI (every time we update
the tour and issued a new release).
Our tour began at the Washington, DC Ritz Carlton, and of course we brought you a great
a lot of business, since many of our tours were for groups for conventions and congresses.
So wherever I stay in the world, I could stay at the Ritz for free or almost free as “a treat”.
If you like. In addition, the wife of possibly the largest hotel chain in the world was a neighbor of
mine in my childhood years (I was not yet married in that hotel chain) and we are still friends as
She was a very good friend of my mother. So, whether in Hawaii or Martinique, I knew
The accommodation would be lovely. They were.
My “better half” Rosy, a West Coast attorney, has seen more of the world than I have, and
given his position in life, he has seen it from a “higher plateau” with (say) a better/faster room
service (or any service) for that matter.
But that’s not why I’m writing. It is just a preface to give you an idea of our travel experiences.
This article is about the humble, quiet, yet charming Hampton Inn at the Dulles Airport on Holiday Drive.
in suburban Dulles, Virginia, in Washington, D.C.
I live in Hot Springs, Ar and Rosy in Los Angeles. We traveled last week to meet his niece from
Russia arriving on Air France to study in the United States in a student exchange program.
Rosy booked a room at the Hampton Inn Dulles.
Hampton Inn? I thought. “Oh my.” “It is safe”? She assured me that she was fine.
Then I remembered that I had once stayed at a Hampton Inn in my hometown and it was
comfortable.
From the moment we arrived at the Hampton to the moment we left, we were treated like
royalty. The rooms were spotless and all of the employees were upbeat, fun, and humorous.
talk to, and the service surpassed many of the best hotels in the world. I was surprised as I
I think Rosy was.
room service was “on top of things”. If we needed anything, he was there quickly and with
a smile.
If we needed directions, we got them from the receptionist who was professional as hell
more than any janitor in a big city. Again, more surprise.
The room decorated with an artistic touch that could have been in any major hotel. Again,
shock.
I’m writing this not to be condescending and, no, Virginia, I don’t own any stock in Hampton Inn’s or any of the
its subsidiaries.
It would be unfair to finish writing this article without mentioning Ruth and Yvette, both employees
at the Dulles Hampton. I’m not sure of their positions in the property, but they were both a bundle of energy. It was almost like having two magical genies in a bottle and “our wish was our command.” There was never a negative moment and no matter the situation, they handled it with a smile. He had never experienced anything like this (or Rosy) in the best hotels. i know i’m sprouting
in this place, but I guess it was such a pleasant surprise. It would be hard to find such
professionals in the best of establishments. Your kind and friendly service makes people want
back again
And the surprise was not necessarily that it was a mid-priced hotel (a Hampton), but an Airport
Hampton and an “airport hotel” at that. Airport hotels aren’t known for their “genuine hospitality,” but rather a fast-paced environment where people typically have a short night and an early flight, so they’re just looking for a bed, TV, and maybe a continental breakfast. Upon leaving. This was so much more.
The purpose of the article is for the traveler to know that there are cheap ways to travel safely,
given a clean room and impeccable service without spending a fortune. If ever in Washington, DC,
although clearly off the beaten path, we will certainly go to the Hampton.
For this worldly traveler who thought he was so worldly, he learned a new and humiliating thing or two.
One does not need to stay in the best to be treated in the best way.