Therefore, when I stayed overnight in Philadelphia this week for interviews, I was quite excited to stay in a place, well, not on wheels. For me, one of the most exciting things about hotels is seeing the room for the first time. I get all giddy like a kid on Christmas morning when I put the key card into the slot and hear the lock click open.
In this case, I stayed at the Inn at the Union League. The Union League is a super fancy private club on Sansom Street in Philly. It was founded in 1862 to support the policies of Abraham Lincoln. The League is for members only and you must be invited to join. There is a loophole though - guests at the Inn have access to all member-only facilities at the League. These privileges include dinner in the private restaurants and access to the business center and fitness center. Oh, and did I mention the dress code? Suit jackets are required on all public floors for men and the appropriate equivalent for ladies. Jeans, flipflops, and sneakers are also big no-nos.
When I arrived at the League, I intended to go about my entire stay pretending that I was somewhat important. This included changing into heels for check-in and nodding knowingly as the desk clerk went over all hotel policies. Afterwards, I gleefully took my key card and the elevator to the 4th floor.
I proceeded to my room, eager to see my digs. I swung open the door and stepped into my room. A cozy retreat greeted me upon arrival. The first thing I did after setting my bags down was hunt down the extra pillow and blanket from the closet and open every single drawer/cupboard in the room. When I was satisfied, I went into the bathroom to snoop at the toiletries - acceptable. I notice the monogrammed robe on the back of the bathroom door and momentarily think about wearing it around the room for the duration of my stay. I decide against that plan when I realize the robe is made for a 6 ft, 300 lb man.
Next, I take a running start and belly flop into my queen size bed. It's been a long day already, so I do what I do best...nap. When I awake from my beauty sleep, I decide to explore the business center on the first floor. I slip into my heels and throw on a blazer over my sundress.
I enter the center and see a handful of people who actually look they have something more important to do with their time then run around hotel rooms in oversize robes and guzzle pineapple juice from the minibar.
I stand up straight, roll my shoulders back, and walk towards a vacant workstation. I flip on the table lamp and check my email, pretending that I'm doing something more noteworthy than emailing my Dad to inquire about how my cat, Gary, is doing. I look around and notice a jar full of Union League pens. Glancing back and forth to make sure no one is looking, I super class-ily shove about 20 of them in my purse (one pen for mom, one for dad, one for grandma...). After the pen debacle, I decide my work in the business center is done and retreat back to the 4th floor.
The rest of the evening is spent outside of the hotel. Upon return, I climb into my awesome bed and proceed to sprawl out on my stomach atop 4 pillows and 3 blankets. When I awake, I'm sleeping diagonally across the mattress (I have no idea how I'm going to ever share a bed with another person...we'll cross that bridge when we come to it).
My alarm (er phone rings...I ordered a wakeup call...I'm getting my $170 worth of this stay) at 6 am and I bounce out of bed, eager for the free continental breakfast I'm promised at check in. I wander down to the dining room, almost sashaying into a breakfast for the Temple Health System...oops. When I find the Founder's Dining Room, I think my jaw hits the floor (so much for pretending to be important).
The restaurant is dressed in a navy and gold color scheme. A staff of waiters escort me to my table. I slide into a velvet banquet and nod furiously when asked if I'd like coffee. At the buffet, a jolly man makes me a bacon omelet. I return to my table thinking I should be reading the Wall Street Journal to fit in. I sip my coffee from a petite china cup and decide that I must find a way to have this happen, mmm, every day of my life.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay (I'm sure you couldn't guess). Also, I would really like to figure out how I can be like Samantha Brown (host of Great Hotels)...that'd be pimp.
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