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| Dining room at Le Meridien |
Most people would agree that staying in a 5-star hotel is
probably pretty luxurious and I would agree. That’s why I thoroughly enjoyed my
two-day stay at the Le Meridien in Ho Chi Minh City (the amazing bathtub and
cloud-like bed especially). However, in my time traveling through Asia, I’ve
realized I have a new definition of luxury:
Anything that isn’t absolutely necessary is a luxury in that
moment.
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| Library lounge at Le Meridien |
So my thoughts about this started swirling around when I
happened to stay in a hotel that had two items that for me were completely
luxurious, a pool and a lamp by the bed that could be easily switched off when
I’d had lulled myself to sleepiness by reading.
The lamp was the first thing I focused on. Most of my other rooms required that I turn the light off somewhere near the
door – therefore nowhere near the bed on which I lay prone, completely relaxed
and ready to nod off. I found myself so thankful
for this simple feature as I rolled over and flipped the switch.
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| Le Meridien's 9th floor pool. |
It wasn’t until I stepped into the still warm salt water of
the pool at my hotel in Siem Reap my first night there that I truly appreciated
the magnitude of having a pool at the hotel. Oddly enough, I had one in Alona
Beach, Philippines, and I used it. It was just outside my room, but this pool
in Cambodia was somehow more relaxing and more enjoyable. The ownership had
surrounded this one with palms and lovely cabana chairs. There was even an
arbor to one side. This pool felt personal and therefore more luxurious. And on
top of all that, I had the great pleasure of meeting very fun, nice people in
and around that pool!
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| The pool in Siem Reap |
In the little hotel I’m staying in here in Ho Chi Minh City,
there’s not much that could be considered luxurious until you consider that the
convenience store next door is open 24/7 in case I need something and anything I
wish to eat I can find in one of the many restaurants within 50 feet of the
hotel. Tonight I found wonderful Indian food I’d happily pay much more for – an
incredible chicken curry – at the amazing price of $3.11. Now that’s luxury!
Perspective is the number one factor in determining luxury,
followed closely by gratitude. What’s a luxury to you?
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