One of the ways I manage to travel with my kids as frequently as I do is by being cost-conscious. At times, staying in budget hotels is exactly what I need—a clean place for my family to take showers and sleep. But other times, budget hotels can be trying, with stained carpets, smelly rooms, and unhelpful staff. These hotels sometimes wind up more stressful than relaxing and I try to be out of the room as much as possible.
On a recent family road trip, I decided to splurge and stay at a hotel that was a destination unto itself. I was feeling worn down midway through a two-week-long trip alone with two of my kids and I wanted a place where I could not only lay my head but feel at home and comfortable.
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I had always wanted to experience the legendary service and luxury of a Four Seasons hotel. I was curious to see if staying at a top-tier hotel would really enhance my trip, or not make that much of a difference. I only hesitated a little when I booked three nights at the Four Seasons Atlanta, Georgia for some pampering in the middle of the long, and at times grueling, trip. I was not disappointed. While staying at the Four Seasons certainly isn’t in my budget for every family vacation, I walked away feeling refreshed, pampered, and understanding the value of an occasional splurge. Here’s why the experience stood out, and why I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The service was impeccable.
At some hotels, the front desk staff acts like I’m bothering them when I arrive to check-in. At the Four Seasons Atlanta, the front desk staff was immediately helpful and friendly. Instead of handing me a key and rushing me off, the front desk staff patiently explained everything they thought I would want to know about the hotel’s amenities and patiently answered my nine-year-old son’s questions about the onsite pool.
The small touches made a big difference.
Before my stay at the Four Seasons, I hadn’t fully understood what other travelers meant when they talked about the extraordinary level of service at the Four Seasons. Having now experienced it, though, I think a lot comes down to the small touches and personalized attention.
For example: When we first got to our room, Sesame-street-themed cookies were waiting for my younger son. He was delighted to spot his name on one of them. After we went out exploring for the day, a small stuffed peach named Peachy was waiting for him on his bed. This gift, paying homage to Georgia’s Peach State nickname, wound up being my son’s favorite souvenir of the entire trip.
Everything was immaculate.
Everything at the Four Seasons was immaculate. I never even saw a stray towel at the gorgeous indoor pool. Housekeeping helped keep my room in order by thoughtfully arranging my toiletries on the countertop. My room also received housekeeping services twice a day, one in the morning and again at night for a turndown service, during which the curtains were closed for the night and chocolates were left on my bed.
The staff went above and beyond
At most hotels, I’m used to fading into the background. This is especially true when the property is busy. During my stay at the Four Seasons, I often felt like the only guest even though it was always crowded.
I left my reading glasses on the nightstand next to the bed before leaving for the day. I returned in the evening to find a new cloth for cleaning glasses waiting for me. At most hotels, I assume that housekeepers rush to get from one room to the next. But here, the housekeeper went above and beyond to make me feel cared for and seen, which, felt extra special on this solo parenting journey where, most of the time, I was doing all the caretaking.
There were plenty of other service highlights, too. When one staff member heard me talking over the day’s plans with my son, he offered to check on the hotel’s house car to give us a ride. That was a thoughtful touch that made our day a little easier and saved me the hassle of driving in Atlanta, which is notorious for bad traffic. While eating dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Bar Margot, a server overheard my son talking about soccer. He turned the TV to a soccer match, which made my son’s day.
It inspired more travel.
I enjoyed staying at the Four Seasons in Atlanta so much that I booked a room at the Four Seasons Cairo for a family trip to Egypt. Our stay only left me more impressed with Four Seasons’ legendary hospitality. The Four Seasons in Cairo is located along the Nile. No trip to Egypt would be complete without a boat ride on the Nile. The hotel concierge not only recommended and booked a very affordable boat ride for us, but they escorted us to and from the dock across the street. Housekeeping fastidiously organized the charging cords we had scatted throughout the room and put them in leather cord holders to keep the room tidy. After a long day visiting the Great Pyramids, my kids and I enjoyed swimming in the hotel’s four pools. The buffet at the Four Seasons Cairo was incredible and easily the best hotel breakfast I have ever had anywhere in the world, with a fantastic mix of Western and Egyptian foods. When a server noticed my husband and I had a plate full of Egyptian specialties, they brought us specially made falafel and dessert for us to try. When visiting a city as big and chaotic as Cairo, having a haven in the city helped us enjoy our trip so much more.
I love my family’s epic, budget-friendly vacations because it means we get to see more of the world together. But my Four Seasons moment taught me that every once in a while, a shorter splurge can feel just as special.
