The discrete charm of a new hotel room
What is it about opening the door to a hotel room, modest or five star, that inevitably inspires a mild rush of joy? Last night, opening Room 22 at The Farmer’s Kitchen in Wexford, I closed the door behind me, set about settling in and enjoyed the whole one-night stay unreservedly.
Having had a job for many years where long-distance travel was a monthly if not weekly occurrence, I never tired of booking in to a hotel room, in whatever city – placing bags in wardrobes, moving the furniture around (!) so I had somewhere comfortable to put my computer and then settling in.

Hotel Room, Zanzibar
It’s got something to do, I think, with the fact that for 20 hours, or even 10, you have a new start – a new home where you and your space are fresh and anonymous and full of promise.
And it makes no difference, for someone who travels frequently, anyway, that there isn’t a pool or gym or a dimly-lit spa somewhere around the building – sometimes the nicest places are just clean, pleasantly lit rooms that contain the essentials: soft white towels, crisp sheets, a desk, broadband and preferably – of course, a window with a view. (more…)