RV travel has changed the way we stay in hotels
We’re committed to the RV lifestyle, but we still love hotels, especially in varied getaways, from Maui to West Seattle.
Still, there’s no question that living in a motorhome has changed the way we approach a stay. Here are a few important lessons we’ve learned in recent years.
Pack light! After making our decision to follow the Going Mobile dream, we’ve learned there’s freedom in shedding stuff. We’ve donated tons of household items, clothing, and sports gear -- and it feels good. The same kind of keep-it-lean practice has extended to packing for an overnighter out of the rig. It’s a time-saver and means it’s less likely something will get left behind.
That said, we recently loaded John’s road bike on the back of the car for a trip to Seattle to catch a Mariners game. We stayed at a charming old-school motel that’s been updated in West Seattle. The Grove’s stellar location made for a perfect jumping off point for John to get on Seattle’s extensive system of the bike trails.
After a post-game dinner with friends at Lady Jaye (if you go, try the BBQ baloney -- kid you not!), John hopped on the bike the next morning and rode north. Leslie met a friend for lunch and later picked John up 30 miles later near Everett. Good trip!
Eyeshades and ear buds are essential when sharing a snug room. One reason we love our motorhome is that even though it’s just 23 feet long, there’s a separate bedroom in the back. That means Leslie can hit the hay early and John can stay up late. When we’re in a hotel room – no matter how luxurious – LK deals with the night owl’s habits by donning some eyeshades and hitting play on whatever book she’s listening to on the awesome Libby app. (Audiobooks are free through your local library.) In no time, she’s sawing logs and John has to turn up the volume on the TV.
Embrace the vacation vibes. While it might seem as if we’re always on vay-kay, nomadic traveling in an RV is a little different than getting comfy in a hotel and soaking in the sights. In our many years of globetrotting, there’s one place that evokes the ultimate sense of chill and that’s the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel on Maui. Located on a gorgeous stretch of sand, this historic hostelry recently received a major makeover, and we can’t wait to get back for a visit. Last time we checked in was 2018, a trip during which so many happy memories were created: paddling an outrigger canoe, catching waves on a standup paddleboard and enjoying our first luau. The aloha spirit feels very real at this special place. (We also managed a side trip to Haleakala National Park in a vintage VW van we rented on Outdoorsy. You can read about that adventure in a story John wrote for the Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-hawaii-maui-vw-camper-van-20181021-story.html)
Don’t forget to take some photos. No matter how you choose to roam, it’s always good to document some highlights. We’re not talking elaborate TikTok scenarios. Just point and shoot. It’s fun to relive some of those good times years later. Leslie recently stumbled across a trove of printed photos from a long-ago adventure to Paris.
Can’t believe it’s been nearly 25 years since we took our kiddo to Paris, settling into a slightly shabby neighborhood hotel. Those were the days when there was no Trip Advisor, no Yelp reviews. Leslie chose this place to stay because it had been a favorite haunt of Oscar Wilde. After a few restful nights, we were ultimately charmed.
As we look back, that long-ago trip to Paris reminds us of why we continue to love traveling in and out of the RV. The road -- whether it’s Maui, Paris, or West Seattle -- is about adventure.
