Article and Photograph by Make The Days Count Contributor Ann Wilkinson

I am not ashamed to admit I love hotels.  I love the luxurious feeling of being pampered by lying in a bed I don’t have to make, towels I can use once and leave to be washed by someone else, and the sheer laziness of being able to order room service and leave the cooking to others, too.  And, I’m not alone in this love of being taken care of.  Recently, I had a chat with a woman at a hotel in Connecticut who told me she had opted to stay in a hotel for a night rather than at a friend’s house simply because she loves experiencing hotels.

Imagine the perfect scenario in which you are greeted warmly at the reception desk with a smile and friendly hello, and someone helps you carry your bags to your room.  The lights are on already, and there is your bed with a fluffy comforter, scads of pillows, a clean uncluttered desk, an empty closet just for your belongings, curtains to draw for delicious darkness when you are ready to sleep, movies you choose to watch on the television that’s positioned so you can see it perfectly from your bed.  Go ahead, order something yummy from room service.  Enjoy the tiny little jars of jam, the glasses of ice water, the basket of rolls, and then let someone pick up the tray to take back to the kitchen without another thought.

You feel so wonderful, and if your excellent hotel experience happens while you are traveling for work, you are then able to concentrate on your business at hand.

Now … think about bringing that experience home with you. 

Why not continue your hotel pampering session and truly pamper yourself at home?  And take this whole idea one perfect step further, and focus on pampering your loved one?  Why not bring this wonderful, all-about-oneself care and give it to the person you love the most? 

We are learning how to care for ourselves, and we know how important it is to feel great in order to make the most of our daily lives.  So, take this to the next level and share it with your spouse.  Try this at home:

Make the bed.  Make it cozy. Make it comfortable.  Add extra pillows.  Add a folded blanket at the foot of the bed for napping.

Clear off the nightstands, and only leave what’s essential:  the lamp, the alarm clock, a great book, a music source.  Leave the surface of the bedside table uncluttered.

While you are at it, make a clean sweep of the horizontal surfaces in the bedroom.  Put away the stack of laundry, the magazines, all of the day-to-day things that accumulate.  Your bedroom is its most inviting and nurturing when it’s free of clutter, which makes it most hotel-like.

In the bathroom, put extra folded towels near the tub or shower.  Tidy up around the sink and find a way to corral the loose essentials that dwell there.  Fluff up the bathmat and make the mirror sparkle.  Put a candle or two in the bathroom for some atmosphere.

Try a few more extra touches:  Find a pitcher and glasses to fill with ice water, get a simple flower or two to show off the tidiness of the room.  Find a lightly scented candle to burn.

When your loved one comes home be at the door to greet them with a smile.  For the first thirty minutes they are home, make it a point not to discuss any problems unless it’s absolutely necessary.   Offer some quiet time, and use it for the two of you.  Enjoy the transition from work to home time.

Take time to add lots of hotel moments for your spouse – carry in the groceries from the car, hold the door open, say good morning and really mean it!  And also respect the Do Not Disturb sign.

When we promise to love our spouse forever, we need to take an active part in making sure we give as much to them as we wish for ourselves.  And in taking care of someone else, we also honor ourselves. 

It takes two to make a relationship, and it takes two who are fully committed to success.  Show your commitment by taking the time to nurture the person you love.  You will reinforce your relationship through this visible display of unconditional love, and you will be a better person for it.

Welcome Home!  And have a wonderful stay!

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”
-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

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