Traveling has a unique way of shaping our experiences. Each journey gives rise to new stories, challenges, and insights. Living in hotels for six months opens a different chapter in our travel narrative. Right now, we’re immersed in life in the Philippines after spending three months in Japan. We embrace each moment—from exploring local culture to the delightful randomness of hotel living.
Living in hotels for an extended time prompts questions. Many have asked about the joys and challenges we face away from home. While we enjoy the adventure, life in hotels introduces complexities, especially with amenities. Let’s dive into our hotel life together.
The Rhythm of Travel
Travel’s time zone shifts can create a dizzying rhythm. When you cross oceans, the clock changes, leading to a mix of day and night. We recently faced this after our time in Japan, finding it tricky to align our schedules with those back home. Family and friends exist on a different time scale, which can cut into our live interactions. As we settle into the Philippines, welcoming these new experiences, we realize this dynamic keeps us rooted in communication and connection.
The Hotel Experience: A New Perspective
After months of hotel living, we have a more nuanced view. Each hotel has its quirks, and we’ve stepped into a diverse array of rooms—from tiny accommodations in Japan to spacious suites here in Manila. The luxury of space becomes evident when settling into a larger suite after enduring cramped quarters.
You might wonder about the perks that come with hotel living. Upon checking into the Crowne Plaza in Manila, after accumulating IHG points through our stays, we received a complimentary upgrade to an enormous suite. This upgrade included two bathrooms, a living area, and a bedroom section. As we find ourselves in more comfortable spaces, we appreciate these moments, especially considering our budget of $50 a night, which covers not just our accommodation but includes meals at the hotel lounge.
Navigating Hotel Life: Challenges and Solutions
Living in hotels for months involves unique considerations. Provisions like laundry and dining can seem daunting. Thankfully, our journey provides solutions. Most hotels allow us to wash a specified number of clothing items for free based on loyalty status. This gesture diminishes the hassle of sourcing laundromats, which we locate easily; maintaining cleanliness becomes surprisingly manageable.
Dining presents its own set of complexities. Each hotel offers a unique array of options tailored for various dietary needs. During our travels, we’ve encountered individuals with distinctive food requirements. One observed need was for vegetarian meals for religious reasons, which the hotel management accommodated in the club lounge. This adaptability stands as a testament to hotel service. Anyone with allergies or special diets should always communicate needs upon check-in for officers to assist adequately.
The Game of Points: Accumulating Rewards
To afford this lifestyle of hotel living, points play a significant role. Many on our live stream have asked about strategies for fastest point accumulation. The best approach currently is to purchase points through the IHG platform. This week, they provide a matching promotion—buying points grants double the amount. By securing points through hotel loyalty programs, the total reward can climb significantly. For example, the initial investment may land you enough points so that we effectively pay only $50 for a night of stay at upscale hotels.
Beyond buying points, loyalty cards expand our rewards. By applying for the IHG Premier Card, we can achieve substantial welcome bonuses—another route to fast-tracking our travels.
Confronting Challenges Head-On
While hotel living has extraordinary perks, it also encounters challenges head-on. Throughout our travels in Japan, we adapted strategies for enjoying the smaller hotel room sizes. The Japanese hotel rooms vary remarkably. Creativity becomes essential to reposition our experiences.
Finding storage solutions becomes a small adventure. Coupling clever packing methods with spatial ingenuity allows us to maintain comfort in tight quarters. Small hacks we developed along the way include utilizing every surface for storage while keeping essential items readily accessible.
Maintaining Connections: The Blend of Community
Living out of hotels does not mean we forfeit connection. We cherish community wherever we go, often engaging with local people and culture. Whether conversing with hotel staff or exploring nearby eateries, the genuine encounters enrich our travel experience.
Chatting on our social media channels fosters connection back home. Sharing snapshots from our travels gives family and friends a window into our adventures. Despite physical distance, the internet has made it easy to relate our experiences, capturing memories and sharing feelings with loved ones.
Reflecting on Change
After living this way for several months, learning resilience becomes part of our lives. New roads require flexibility, patience, and an open mind. This phase has allowed us to embrace uncertainty. Alongside ups and downs, we grow through each experience—discovering joy in small moments and lessons in challenges.
As we travel deeper into this journey, we witness the beauty in each new place we visit. Our lives become interwoven with diverse cultures and traditions, motivating us to try new foods, participate in local festivities, and seek out hidden gems away from typical tourist trails.
Conclusion: Q&A and Sharing Knowledge
The opportunity to host a live Q&A alongside our hotel living adds to the enjoyment. We appreciate interactions, answering questions about our experiences whether about traveling, points system, or life in hotels. Every inquiry leads to more profound discussions and the exchange of knowledge among community members.
We encourage everyone to ask their questions freely. We understand that travel can bring apprehension. Our experiences struggling with balance or pursuing upgrades need to resonate with those curious about navigating their journeys.
With each chat, we build a community dedicated to exploring and sharing the gifts of travel. We all learn from each other, and collectively we create a resource for those seeking inspiration, information, and support for their travel aspirations.
Join us in sharing this adventure. We are excited about what lies ahead and eager to connect with more fellow travelers and share stories from our unique hotel lifestyle.
