John Dalton had done a great deal of traveling, staying in numerous hotels, motels, and just about any type of accommodations. Having been told about the nasty sides of rooms, he really wasn’t up to bringing his own set of disinfectants. Another major annoyance was forgetting important items, such as toiletries and then with time being an issue having to walk a few blocks to get them, if the hotel didn’t have an overpriced “gift shop”.
Then, of course there is the service. The hotel is too busy or not enough staff to truly tend to your needs like that shirt that you want to use again but requiring a bit of laundering. The hotel can send it out, but time is of the essence, again. Oh, sure, you can bring it all on the airplane and have to pay the extra costs of checking your luggage.
John got the perfect job as the General Manager of Hotel Ignacio in St. Louis; a boutique hotel with 49 guest rooms and two suites. Here he could create the smoke-free, and pretty much germ-free hotel of his dreams while sharing it with the public.
Hotel Ignacio resides at 3411 Olive in the midst of St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts & Entertainment District and across the street from Saint Louis University. This would determine the décor of the rooms and hallways with a gallery of sorts for contemporary works of art from Saint Louis University’s vast collection as well as themes of the guest rooms: Fine Art, Performing Arts, Architecture, and Music.
I checked in at a desk of young smiling faces more than eager to be of assistance: Emily Sieb, Shannon Thomas and Assistant Manager Nick Palank were just some of the staff of mostly Saint Louis University students or graduate students. My room “card” was handed to me while asked if I needed help with my luggage. There is no bell stand here, so someone from behind the desk will be of aid. I didn’t have as much to tote as I did when I left. A box of various fruit was for the taking with a sign that asked if you would sample and comment on this local area produce.
Off the elevator to find that there was no “slot” on my door. It was a circular sensor just above the doorknob. Touch it with the key card or wave it a few inches away and the door unlocks. Not only does this help if you’re imbibed, it’s knowing that the bathroom is so near and yet so far, if you get the drift.
After placing my luggage in the room, I looked around to see what appeared to be a framed mirror on the wall. It was a plasma tv. Having chosen the décor of Performing Arts, there were paintings depicting ballerinas. Having traveled myself numerous times I hear about certain things to check for, as in the bathroom which appeared to be quite clean. I noticed that glasses on the shelf wondering if they really clean them. No spots, or smudges. Well, that’s good. Hey, wait! The day of the week is etched into it. Coincidence? Day of the week was correct the next day, too.
A very large digital clock turned out to be an ipad type of instrument called an Avaya media hub used by one of only six hotels in the country. Touch the screen and get the weather, stock quotes, local attractions as well as “frequently requested items”. My curiosity got to me as I expected the minimum “freebies”. The first to take me back was, Socks (regular and knee high). Socks? They’ll give you socks? The long list went on to include: undies (men’s), pantyhose, cough drops, tweezers, bug spray, lint remover, chapstick and mints. Perhaps you want a refrigerator in your room and a sleep machine. I certainly needed both.
I needed to call a local restaurant, not having the phone number. This system becomes a speakerphone, so you just have to touch the “make a phone call” app and dial out. I called the front desk to get the phone number. Not only did the person retrieve it, but dialed the number.
Sitting on the bed I continued to view some other amenities. You can borrow a bicycle or “3-wheel taxi”, exercise in a fitness room. Oops! I needed to check my email. Back to the lobby to a business center at no charge. Just off the elevator was a table with coffee and espresso as well as a rack with various newspapers.
The lobby leads into the “living room” complete with a fireplace and couches. Beyond that was a cafe. I ate bagels and lox while perusing my itinerary.
Going back to my room I noticed a ledge that had two musical instruments with an opening above it. Behind the opening were three adjoining bathrooms. The ledge was the back of the sinks.
Day one of my itinerary, I woke up the next morning having had a much needed rest, giving credit to the sleep machine. I was sleeping on a Tempur-Pedic mattress! Hotel Ignacio is the only hotel in Missouri to feature this. Comfy pillows. Were they filled with down, foam? How about recycled plastic bottles! Bamboo sheets and towels, too.
Could it get any better? I wanted to get some clothes laundered, not sent to the cleaners. I called the front desk to inquire. “Just bring it to us and we’ll have it back for you in about 3 hours”. There is no charge for the service. I later returned to my room to find a shirt and pants hung up in the closet, the rest folded in the laundry bag.
Now, picture this. The airline lost your luggage. More than likely it will be delivered to you within 48 hours. However, here you are with just the clothes on your back! Not only will they provide the toiletries, whatever you are wearing can be laundered for the next day! Slippers, loaned robe and underwear in a pinch! Knowing about all of the above, you can spend a week bringing only a carry-on.
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