I am enjoying the gift of frequent stays at the same hotel. It is probably the first time where a hotel gave me a use or lose gift. The one nice part of the gift was the location could be anyone in the chain. The nearest as well as most convenient was in Bali and so I find myself enjoying the beach, food, and the opportunity to ride out into the unknown.
What strikes me about this visit is the service and hospitality. Given that I have prepaid through previous visits, there is nothing obvious to be earned on this stay. My bill will be the sum of my meals, but that is it! Given the earlier loyalty, it is doubtful that there is anything that the hotel staff or management could do to increase or improve my already demonstrated loyalty.
The service I am receiving is first class. Prompt, responsive, and proactive. From servicing the room, to help with luggage and concierge services, everything was near perfect. The few times it required more than the first interaction, I realized the iteration was always caused by my poor communication. Responding across a language barrier can take more than one cycle. The result was always good.
The hospital feels as if it is from the heart. When a random staff member was asked about working at the hotel, the smile and body language was loud and clear. He more than enjoyed his work. He was proud of the hotel, the culture he was a part of, and the way it continued to endure.
I was gifted with a sense of warmth, community, and attention. It was a wonderful break, triggering a reflection that spanned my visits, the staff who consistently have made the difference, and my appreciation for being welcomed. They gave me the psalmist experience when he talked about Divinity; “Thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.” (Psalm 107.8)
I know my stay will end. I hope my experience never does. It is a gift that transcends time.
