When we arrived at the hotel, the experience was good but not unfamiliar. I did not see much of a difference between an American hotel and any other hotels, at that. Maybe I was automatically blinded because I work at a hotel—I looked at things through a different lens. As a hotel worker, weirdly, when I check into hotels, I don’t give much attention to details, and I tend to provide the employees with a lot of grace. If the experience is not flagrantly bad or good, I don’t think much of it and focus on other aspects. Maybe I’m just too excited; I tend to worry about different aspects of my travels.
The restaurants, though, were quite different from what I have observed here in Florida. The British love pubs (an establishment for the sale of beer and other drinks, and sometimes also food, to be consumed on the premises). Many restaurants around the corner are pubs, and if they are not pubs, they have a bar where you can sit and order drinks. The very first restaurant where we ate dinner together was a pub. I was quite satisfied with both the service and the food. The servers were very nice and formal—nothing too loud or over the top. Additionally, the food was delicious. I got to try my very first Scotch egg! I loved it.
Also—and more importantly—I tried high tea! If you know me, you know that there are two things I enjoy in this life (amongst other things, of course): sweet treats and tea. I am a full-on tea girl. I have a collection of tea at home, and I am always eager to try new ones. Two of my favorites are Earl Grey tea and chamomile tea. I adore eating sweet treats while drinking tea. My favorite combo is chocolate-covered almonds with chamomile tea—delicious, especially after a meal. All that to say, I loved having high tea. I enjoyed this experience more than I should have, and I am tremendously thankful for that.
High tea is an important aspect of British society. This tradition developed into a social gathering and a means of bridging the gap between lunch and dinner. High tea, a working-class institution, sprang from the need for a hearty meal after a full day’s work. In England today, tea has a particular significance as a representation of friendliness and hospitality. Through chats over a comforting drink and shared experiences, it bridges generations and captures the heart of Britishness. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to have experienced this wonderful tradition.
Something else that amazed me was the castles. We went to Kensington Palace, amongst others.
Visiting places like Kensington Palace really opened my eyes to how tourism and hospitality work together. Palaces and castles are obviously important for historical reasons—they help preserve the culture, architecture, and stories of the past. But at the same time, they’re also tourist attractions, so they have to be welcoming and enjoyable for visitors. It’s a balance between keeping the original feel of the place while also making it engaging and accessible.
These experiences will shape me as a hospitality leader in a positive way. It is important to see the world from different lenses, especially when observing hospitality trends. Additionally, traveling aids in cultivating oneself. These experiences will allow me to know more about the world around me—hence, help me navigate it better, with more knowledge.