A luxury hotel in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Image: Supplied / Sané Ndlovu
Raise your hand if you also didn’t enjoy making your bed or tidying your room when you were younger. I didn’t have the chance to stay in a hotel until I was much older. Our family holidays were spent with Gogo for six weeks at a time. I loved those kinds of holidays, though. If I recall correctly, the first time I stayed at a hotel was with a voucher I received after participating in a fashion show at around age 21.
I took my mum with me, and we stayed at a five-star hotel situated within a game reserve. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all included in the voucher, and it was a wonderful experience.
I believe my love for crisp white hotel linen began there, along with the simple pleasure of having my room made up, my bed turned down, and my linens refreshed. That moment marked the start of my love for hotels. Even though I still enjoy someone else making my bed when I stay at a hotel, hotel visits have become about much more than that. When I travel abroad, my hotel choices are guided by practicality, comfort, and safety.
A beautifully styled room in KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast.
Image: Supplied / Sané Ndlovu
The hotel I selected in Los Angeles, for instance, was less than 100 metres from both a bus stop and a train station, which made commuting much simpler. It also made me feel safer knowing that when I got off public transport, my hotel was just a short walk away. Furthermore, the hotel was about a kilometre from Target, the very first place I visited to buy a SIM card and a compatible charger upon arriving in LA. There were also two restaurants across the road, including a popular diner where I enjoyed a few meals, and a supermarket nearby where I could pick up snacks and essentials during my stay.
Regarding the hotel itself, it was a three-star establishment. The room was cleaned daily, and there was a laundry downstairs where I could wash my clothes using a prepaid card. It was practical. I chose it because it met all the requirements I had at the time.
The view from a hotel in New York City, United States.
Image: Supplied / Sané Ndlovu
On occasions when I want to enjoy a staycation, whether in my own city, Durban, Johannesburg, or Cape Town, aesthetics, service, and comfort tend to become my top priorities. For example, one of the hotels I enjoy visiting in Sandton offers a shuttle service that transports guests anywhere within a five-kilometre radius. Whether it’s a trip to the mall or an appointment nearby, it’s all arranged through the concierge. It’s ideal for those moments when you simply want to relax and not think about logistics.
The same hotel offers room service, laundry facilities, meeting rooms and boardrooms, as well as a lovely pool and picnic area where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings. This particular hotel emphasises comfort and convenience, which is exactly what makes it ideal for a staycation.
A luxury hotel in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Image: Supplied / Sané Ndlovu
What I’ve learned over the years is that a hotel is never just a place to sleep, regardless of whether it is affordable or luxurious. A hotel can reflect your sense of safety, your flexibility, and your comfort. It becomes part of your overall experience, and ultimately, part of the story you share about a place.
One thing I’d gently encourage, even though I’m not always great at it myself, is leaving reviews. Your experience at a hotel could influence whether someone else chooses to stay there.
Sané Ndlovu is a proudly local, globally curious travel writer, PR practitioner, and avid solo traveller.
Image: Supplied
* Sané Ndlovu is a proudly local, globally curious travel writer, PR practitioner, and avid solo traveller.