While our boys are well travellel teens by this point, they weren’t quite so jaded when they were younger. One of the first times we went on, when the boys were three and five, our travels took us to Old Orchard Beach in Maine, for a Memorial Day weekend trip. Old Orchard Beach, or OOB for those in the know, is a popular beach town in southern Maine with a beautiful beach (and icy cold water) and a fun downtown with an old-school pier, archade, amusement park and places to get our fried dough, pizza slices, french fries and all the classics.

We were staying a local motel. There aren’t many upscale properties there but that’s part of the charm. Since you normally have to book nearly a year ahead, the only room available was a “deluxe” room. In reality, it was an end unit with an enclosed balcony that offered a smidgen more space than other rooms. However, through the eyes of our boys, this room transformed into a luxurious palace as soon as we told them it was a “deluxe” room.

Every little aspect of the motel room was a source of wonder for them. The extra pillow and blanket tucked away in the closet were treasures unearthed. The small bottles of soap, shampoo, and conditioner were like potions from an exotic land. But the true crown jewel, the epitome of luxury for them, was the toilet seat adorned with a paper strap, a symbol of cleanliness and care that they found immensely impressive.

All of these things are standard for nearly any hotel, but their excitement and wonderment was a treat. Their innocence made everything so much more grand and special.

Despite the dreary weather that accompanied our stay, the spirits of our little ones remained undampened. They found joy in the simplest things, from the sound of the waves to the activity downtown, playing in the (frigid) water, fighting to keep the sand castle from being washed away from the tide.

Their excitement and amazement created the “best hotel ever” and was a reminder of the beauty in simplicity and the joy of seeing the world through a child’s eyes. Their innocence and unbridled enthusiasm turned a modest motel stay into an adventure of a lifetime.

While anyone with teens will know that it takes a LOT more to impress them as they age, as parents WE can still remember their innocence, and of of course embarass them with those memories for years to come. While we’ve been back to the hotel a few times and it isn’t quite as special to them, it does remind us that the best hotel doesn’t necessarily make for the best vacation experience.