THE EXTRA MILE…..

It has been quite some time since we were near the ocean, so we decided to holiday in Krabi, Thailand. We wanted a not too far-away exotic destination with some sun, fresh sea air, the feel of beach sand on our feet and most importantly, good food. Food that is different from the normal fare we get every day such as ‘nasi lemak’ , ‘fried kuei teow’, ‘yong tau foo’ etc .

As usual, we booked our budget airline and hotels early to get the “early bird” discounts. When we arrived at our hotel we clambered up to our room and the first thing we did, after dumping the bags on the racks and table, was to go to the bathroom. Needing hand and bath towels, we found none in the bathroom being the expected place to look for them. The first thought was that hotel maid had forgotten to place the towels in the room for us. I was just about to walk to the telephone to call up housekeeping when my wife called my attention to the two statuesque elephants placed on the bed. She remarked “Hey, that’s our bath towels!” Take a look at the pictures at what we found.....(neat eh!?)

We stayed for three nights. Each day we got a different theme in the origami of our bath towels.

Having travelled and stayed in numerous hotels, motels and even YMCA/YWCA in many parts of the world, we have yet to come across or experience the extra effort and dedication this Thai hotel goes to welcoming its guests. An unpretentious gesture but very well appreciated and uniquely different from just providing a fruit or flower basket!

A simple act to go the extra mile says a lot about the hotel or, for that matter, any organization. By going the extra mile to look into the fine details to provide novelty and aesthetic appeal, it generates a positive impression and perception which, in a business sense, would enhance its value. Sceptics may see it as “it’s just business”.

However, for the many of us, simpletons, we are fascinated and amazed. It amuses and brings forth our smiles and reminds us we are here on holiday to relax and unwind. We see the act as exhibiting and displaying the dedication and pride of the organization. We do not know about others but after having stayed in so many hotels, we are very much appreciative of the extra effort and the extra mile put in to enhance the pleasantness of our stay no matter how simple and small the effort is.