It’s hard to define luxury when everyone has their own idea of what luxury really is. Before I started travelling I imagined that a luxurious hotel would have wide open windows, beautiful decor and a room bigger than my whole house. To the first eye this may indeed be luxury but what happens when you realize that the bed is rock solid, the washroom door is see through with a lack of privacy and the windows don’t open for fresh air? This has happened to me on numerous occasions and though it isn’t something I regret, it is something that I’ve learned from and from this I know exactly where my luxury lays.

SIMPLICITY.
SIMPLICITY.
SIMPLICITY.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been to a gorgeous hotel where nothings gone right. So before I go ahead and splurge on my next top notch hotel, I’m going to make sure to go back to basics and read reviews about the things that matter most for me.

While I’m currently in Hamburg, I thought it was the perfect time to write a blog like this as I’m staying at the MEININGER Hamburg, a beautiful yet simple hotel that offers just what you need and not more. They avoid confusion and nonsense, but ensure you have a wonderful stay.

Free Internet

If anyone can explain to me why a hotel that costs $300 per night expects you to pay an additional $20 for internet, I would love to know. My assumption is that because business men can afford these accommodations in the first place, what’s an extra $20?

However, what about the people on romantic getaways, honeymoons or a weekend splurge? People who have already forked out enough money to last them a month on one night in a luxury hotel. It mind boggles me that more hostels and accommodations under $50 per night offer high speed WIFI free of charge.

I am curled up in my bed at the MEININGER Hamburg with my super speed internet and a smile on my face.

Affordable or Free Breakfast

You want my honest response? I usually only book hotels with an inclusive breakfast or a charge of less than $10 per breakfast. I’m always one to get up first thing in the morning with a hungry belly and waiting to shower, dress and venture into a foreign city first thing in the morning for food… not ideal. The MEININGER has an all you can eat breakfast buffet for less than $10, have I mentioned I’m excited to wake up?

Tourist Information

Perhaps if you don’t travel often and plan months preparing for an exciting trip, then you’ll have everything you need already planned out and color coded in a travel binder for your convenience. I use to do that until I started travelling on a day to day basis. Now I rely on Google Maps to get me around and the pamphlets at the reception to take me on my next adventures (that and Pinterest). The funny thing is that almost all luxury hotels I have stayed in do not provide these without request. Student and budget hotels usually have them right at the front desk for all to take.

Accessibility

Depending on where you’re visiting this may be one of the most important pieces of your luxury stay and not to mention your safety. Hotels like the MEININGER are usually centrally located and very close to a subway or tram. If your $300 hotel is out of the city centre and far from accessible, it doesn’t matter about the shiny things in your hotel room.

Comfortable Beds

Luxembourg in September of 2014, I will never forget the bed I slept in. It was a $300 plus room per night and had the worst bed and the worst pillows I had ever had. I am not one to complain, squishy or soft, I am happy. I am not happy when I feel springs digging into my back and the pillow is smaller than my head. My room here at the MEININGER may be simple, but my pillow is nice and soft and the bed is perfectly firm.

Friendly Staff

Call me crazy but I usually find the most generous and down to earth staff are hired in hostels and student hotels. Today I was greeted by a smiling face and my mom still hasn’t stopped talking about how sweet the girl was at the front desk of the MEININGER Hamburg. It’s an affordable hotel, yet the luxury is in the staff!

Now these are simple, yet obvious hotel specifications that make me a happy camper and these are the things that bring me back again. I guess it goes without saying, you should never judge a book by its cover. It may look sparkly and shiny, but in the end have you checking out un-rested and stressed. Research is everything so as a huge suggestion, I suggest using sights like www.tripadvisor.com or www.booking.com for honest and personal reviews before booking your next accommodations.

Not headed to Hamburg? I’ve also written blogs about my time at the MEININGER Frankfurt