True Hospitality Versus Hotel Stays
Many will argue that the travel industry is the hospitality industry and as such hospitality and hotel stays are synonyms. One dictionary refers to hospitality as “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers”. As you can see, there is a difference between true hospitality versus hotel stays. Although it is true that a hotel stay is in itself an act of hospitality, true hospitality runs much deeper.
When you visit your parents or grandparents at their home, you experience true hospitality. They are happy to see you, and will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. They want you to feel like their home is your home. This means that they will go out of their way to pamper you and make you feel welcome.
I was fortunate to see a wonderful host offering that kind of hospitality just a few days ago. I stopped by to visit my dear friend Flavia Cueva who is the heart and soul at Hacienda San Lucas in Copan Ruinas. Flavia was quite busy, and her lovely centennial building was close to be busting with clients. Some of the people were guests staying at the Hacienda San Lucas. Others were visitors who stopped by to have Christmas lunch there. The truth is that you could not distinguish one from the other. Both groups felt the warmth of true hospitality.
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Small Honduran Hotels Offer True Hospitality!
In my opinion, this is one of the most important distinguishing factors between Honduras and other destinations. As a general rule, Hondurans are hospitable. They open the doors of their home for you to enjoy and feel at home. They will offer you the best of what they have, regardless how humble they may be. It’s hard to find this kind of hospitality anywhere. It is seldom found in large hotels and much less so in franchised operations. If you want to find true hospitality versus hotel stays at a large international property, I can provide a couple of suggestions.
First of all, look for small hotels. They may not have the glamour of large hotel chains, but they offer true hospitality. Look for those properties that are under the direct management of the owners. This means that they will be your hosts, and you will feel at home. If you look through the different OTA’s (Online Travel Agencies, such as Expedia or Booking.com) you will find what I mean. Properties such as Hacienda San Lucas, La Villa de Soledad, in La Ceiba and La Puerta Azul in Roatan offer true hospitality. You will immediately feel the warmth of the owner when you arrive and check in.
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If you want your hotel stay to be a true experience and enjoy your lodging as a local, look for a small hotel. The Small Hotel Association of Honduras, HOPEH offers many great alternatives. Reading through the hotel reviews in trip advisor and booking.com will also provide important insights about what to expect. It does not matter if you are staying in a large city or a smaller destination. You can always find a perfect small hotel offering true hospitality. Allow yourself a magnificent vacation by experiencing true hospitality during your trip to Honduras! A bit of online research will help you find the perfect hotel for you! I have put together a list of the top places to stay in Honduras where you will find this true hospitality. Feel free to check it out and share your comments!
