That Little Motel or Hilton?

Those little motels all seem to have similar names such as Tall Pines, or Mountain View. They are usually family owned businesses. The rooms are cheap and the buildings are old. When I was kid those little places were the norm. Most had a small pool. Maybe even a laundry room.

I remember one place where the water ran a reddish color. There was a sign saying it was okay to drink, but if we wanted, there was filtered water at the office. Something about the water and the pine trees discolored the water. Let’s just say we all skipped the shower the following morning.

I’ve still used these little motels in recent years. Some are better than others. A few times, I’ve checked the sheets. But most of them also allow pets. Plus if all you need is a bed, they are perfect for an inexpensive night.

My husband and I would often ask for the trucker rate. Those rooms are no frills. We were lucky if they had a coffee pot. But they were dirt cheap. It was usually a king or queen size bed, a TV, and pretty much nothing more. Their continental breakfast might have been a doughnut or a bagel. That’s okay, we only needed a place to sleep.

A few years ago, my area had a severe threat of a hurricane hitting here. My house is not in a flood zone or anything so I debated about getting out. The big problem is a very large pecan tree that belongs to a neighbor. I dread the day that thing falls. I finally decided that I’d stay at my local Hilton Garden Inn. That way, if I could get around, I could get home and check on the house. Normally the Hilton doesn’t allow pets, and I have two. Since the governor of Virginia had declared a state of emergency, my pets were welcome.

I had a coffeepot in my room and all the fixings along with a small refrigerator. I had beautiful view of the river, which meant if it rose, I could watch it. I parked my car in the highest area that I could, crossed my fingers, and planned to enjoyed my stay.

Originally the hurricane was to hit on a Friday so I checked in on Thursday, but then they said Saturday. It extended my stay. But I had a lovely time even though the hurricane missed us.

There were several people their with dogs and all of the dogs got along just fine. The minute the elevator door would open, Max the French Bulldog would call to my Sugarplum. She’d run over to him. They’d do some sniffing and immediately settle down . The big Golden Retriever was an old boy who really didn’t care about a few other dogs sharing his space. He was very sweet. He’d look at Sugarplum like she was too small to even consider. Max attempted to be more social but the old boy didn’t pay too much attention to the other four-legged guests. There were a few others with small dogs and a medium-sized dog. But those owners pretty much kept their dogs confined to their rooms.

My cat occupied the bathroom. Disposable littler boxes are fantastic. If you have a cat, you need to keep a few on hand for emergencies! They are almost impossible to find prior to a hurricane.

Did I mention that the food was delicious? Yummy! Breakfast was unreal! They had a fruit bar, a cereal bar, and a hot line. In the evening, the hotel’s bar was quiet. The bartenders were friendly, the people who gathered mostly watched the weather reports. There were quite a few men who worked for power companies who had been sent to help if the power lines went down. I was surprised to discover that many of these men were college educated. Several men had started straight out of high school but obtained their education along the way.

I was comfortable the entire time. I made a few new friends and discovered the hotel’s restaurant was a true hidden gem. Not to mention that view from the dining room was amazing even in the rain. Plus that big covered patio meant I could walk outside and not get wet.

When it was over, I packed up my things. I contacted room service, and they gave me trash bags. I slipped the litter box into one and left it tied closed. I also left a nice tip. I promise I’m not messy, but they didn’t have access to my room because of the animals. Who wants to think about a litter box? I almost hated to leave the friendly atmosphere of the Hilton Garden Inn and return to my home. I guess I’m a social person and I enjoy being with people. I just prefer things to be quiet. My stay was perfect. I left feeling refreshed and thankful that the hurricane missed us. Then I headed back to my house. The pecan tree still stood with all its branches. Maybe it wasn’t exactly a stay-cation, but it sure felt like it!

Little motel or nice accommodations? I guess it depends on what you want. A little motel is fine with me. Most of the time I only want a place to lay my head. But my time at the Hilton, made my visit worth every penny.