best beds…finding the perfect place to sleep

Every would-be traveler begins with three questions:  Where to go? Where to stay? And, what to do?  The first and last queries are quite easy to answer.  The merit of a destination is measured by its cultural dynamism and a traveler’s itinerary is a function of curiosity and stamina.  Lodging, however, is a topic that is not so easily addressed.  Is location more important than amenities? Is access to a gym more important than thread-count? Even more mundane things like mattress or pillow preference are highly idiosyncratic. I like mine firm but not hard; large but not over-sized.  You?

Today almost every location offers a variety of traditional and non-traditional accommodation, from global luxury brands to boutique inns to stylish budget hotels and Airbnb-type private bedrooms.   I have stayed in every type of accommodation imaginable; my preferences change from one place to the next, from one month to another.

My newest column, Best Beds, provides a brief profile of wonderful hotels, camps, bedrooms and boats that I have stayed in.  Many are places that could standalone as worthwhile destinations; places that bring peace to the weary and joy to the jaded.  All are places I have loved for one reason or another. click here for an example.

I continue to correspond with my hosts, a surprising number of whom I now consider friends and cannot wait until our paths cross again.   I share my reminiscences in the hope that you will enjoy what I enjoyed.  I will happily introduce you – my friends, clients and blog-readers – to these wonderful hosts. Some offer special amenities due to my affiliation with the Virtuoso network and some offer perks because I am providing your introduction.  Either way let my goodwill be your goodwill.

My highlighted Best Beds are not necessarily super-luxurious nor expensive, though some most definitely are. What they do all share is a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them special for me. The ranking of the hotels (expensive, mid-range and bargain) are based on their location. For example, a mid-range hotel in London may be much costlier than the most expensive hotel in Montreal.

In order to augment my reviews with opinions other than my own I have a request: Would you kindly share your experience in a quick email or a post on my site?  A thoughtful reflection on some feature of your experience will add authenticity and, no less importantly, will be greatly appreciated by your host. Your digital postcard — a far more romantic term than blogpost! — will be shared amongst our collective, allowing us to live vicariously through your experience.