The July poll here at Luxury and Resort Travel asked, what is your favorite hotel amenity? The voters have answered, and the poll has been closed. Many have voted, some with serious intent, others, less so.; I suppose that's what we deserve when we offer a "funny answer" option. The votes have been counted, and the results have been analyzed by a panel of expert statisticians (read: Me.) What can we tell from the results? What are this column's readers most favorite hotel amenities?
- Coming in first place, is "in-room internet access." At 41.18% of the votes, this option received more than double the votes of any other poll choice. It used to be that only business travelers packed their laptops, but these days it's rare to see families or even romantic couples leave their computers at home. Free Wi-Fi helps keep in touch with important people while you're away, and the internet also has stored a wealth of information regarding local events and lists of great restaurants wherever you are. The desire to access local info is easily understandable!
- Second place goes to "24-hour room service," with 17.65% of voters wanting the luxury of chowing down any time of the day (or night). Now, for me, I like having the option of room service, even if I rarely use it. All I want in the morning is some coffee and cereal, who wants to pay twelve bucks for that? But then, after a long day of outdoor activities, be it hiking to petroglyphs or surfing at the beach, sometimes we're just too pooped to go out for dinner. Room service and a mellow evening is often the perfect solution.
- In third place, with 15.69% of the votes, is "clean sheets, is all I'm asking!" It seems that a certain amount of our readers here in the Outdoor Adventure section are true outdoor adventurers. This poll choice is for those of you who are used to roughing it to the extent that a crisply made bed, with comfy pillows instead of a pile of leaves, is considered a luxury!
- Fourth place, "satellite, flat-screen TV" received 13.73% of the votes. The relatively low ranking of this choice suggests that tourists, even luxury travelers who intend to relax, don't like to spend too much time holed up in their hotel room watching movies. Why do this, when you could be outside experiencing real life instead? One person who did vote for satellite television as her favorite hotel amenity mentioned that for her, the real treat is in the extra channels. If she gets enough exposure to all those extra channels, I think she'll realize that they're all just playing reruns of Law & Order. And Spanish soap operas.
- In fifth and last place is "trustworthy babysitting and/or pet care." With just 11.76% of voters choosing this option, it seems that either we A) prefer to leave our kids and pets at home or B) vacation with our families (pets incuded), and that means exactly what it sounds like; quality family time. I agree with this low ranking. My family leaves our pets at home (kinda hard to travel with a hamster anyway), and we enjoy watching our children experience new places for the first time. Try it: You may find that you appreciate your vacation spot even more, when viewed through the eyes of your child.
Hotel amenities come in many forms. If you consider a dry floor and a roof above your head a luxury, all the power to you. Your life must be exciting and adventure-filled. However: If what you need to feel like you're treating yourself is an on-call concierge, towel warmers and that lovely little after-dinner mint on your pillow after turn-down service, well, hello sister! Just be sure you make your reservation at the right hotel for your own personal vacation style.
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Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
