I am not one to drop names, brag, or tell you how well-traveled I am. I am, however, well-traveled
and for a reason. Not because I am among the jet-setting rich, no, far from it. In 1988, I created the
Scandal Tours, or "Theater On The Bus" as the front page Wall St. Journal headlines heralded it. From
that point for another four years when I sold the business, it was not unusual for me to be on Peter
Jennings ABC News, Paula Zahn CBS Morning, Japan Nippon TV, Australia TV, major worldwide
magazines and newspapers and periodic reports from AP, Reuters, and UPI (each time we updated
the tour and issued a new release).
Our tour began at the Washington, D.C. Ritz Carlton, and of course we brought them a great
deal of business, given that many of our tours were groups for conventions and conferences.
So wherever I stayed in the world, I could stay at the Ritz for free or nearly free as "a gift"
if you will. In addition, the wife of possibly the largest hotel chain in the world was a neighbor of
mine in my childhood years (she wasn't married yet into that hotel chain) and we remained friends as
she was a very close friend of my mother's. So whether it was Hawaii or Martinique, I knew
accommodations would be lovely. They were.
My "better half" Rosy, an attorney on the west coast has seen more of the world than I have, and
given her station in life, has seen it from a "higher plateau" with (let us say) better/quicker room
service (or any service) for that matter.
But that is not why I am writing. It is only a preface to give you an idea of our travel experiences.
This article is about the humble, quiet, yet lovely Hampton Inn at Dulles Airport on Holiday Drive
in the Washington, D.C suburbs of Dulles, Va.
I live in Hot Springs, Ar and Rosy in Los Angeles. We traveled last week to meet her niece from
Russia arriving on Air France to study in America on a student exchange program.
Rosy booked a room at the Hampton Inn Dulles.
"Hampton Inn?", I thought. "Oh my." "Is it safe"? She assured me it was fine.
Then I remembered I had stayed at a Hampton Inn in my hometown once and it was
comfortable.
From the moment we arrived at the Hampton until the time we left, we were treated like
royalty. The rooms were immaculate and every single employee was upbeat, funny, fun to
talk to, and the service surpassed many of the best hotels in the world. I was shocked as I
believe Rosy was.
Room service was "on top of things". If we needed something it was there fast and with
a smile.
If we needed directions, we got them from the desk clerk who was as professional if not
more-so than any large-city concierge. Again, more shock.
The room decorated with an artistic flair that could have been in any major hotel. Again,
shock.
I write this not to be patronizing, and, no Virginia, I own no stock in Hampton Inn's or any of
their subsidiaries.
It would be unfair to finish writing this article without mentioning Ruth and Yvette, both employed
at the Dulles Hampton. I am not sure of their positions at the property, but they were both a bundle of energy. It was almost like having two magic genies in a bottle and "our wish was our command". There was never a negative moment and no matter what the situation, they handled it with a smile. I have never experienced anything like that (nor had Rosy) at the finest hotels. I know I am gushing
at this place, but I guess it was such a pleasant surprise. One would be hard-pressed to find such
professionals at the finest of establishments. Their kind and friendly service makes people want to
go back again.
And the surprise was not necessarily that it was a medium-priced hotel (a Hampton), but an Airport
Hampton and an "Airport Hotel" at that. Airport hotels are not known for their "genuine hospitality" but a fast-paced environment in which people generally spend a short night and take an early flight so a just are looking for a bed, tv, and maybe continental breakfast on the way out. This was so much more.
The purpose of the article is for the traveler to know there are economic ways to travel safely,
given a clean room, and immaculate service without spending a fortune. If ever in Washington, D.C.,
though 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 humbling thing or two.
One not need stay at the best to be treated the best.
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