La "Quaint"

     Because the room rate for the Hampton Inn we have been staying in for our previous Seattle trips had gone up over $40 per night, exceeding the $150 limit given by Reed's employers, I booked our latest stay at the Seatac La Quinta. Its summer rates were still affordable and it was literally across the street from the Hampton. Also desirable was that it provided breakfast. I have never stayed at a La Quinta, but was willing to give it a shot. I knew it was an older hotel but it has, for the most part, been updated and kept in good repair. I don't really know how to describe why I didn't like it. It didn't help that there was a construction barrier in the lobby because one of the elevators is broken, that the narrow hallways had chipped paint and doors, that the room was small and looked out on a parking tower. I'm afraid the main reason I didn't like it is because I've become a hotel prima dona over the years. It was way nicer than the motels my family stayed in when I was a child. And not that many years ago, I would have been happy to stay there. La Quinta is the Spanish equivalent of a country villa. The word quinta means fifth, not as in "a good place to drink a fifth", but because such farm villas paid a fifth of their income in taxes. Sadly, that has not changed much. But to me Quinta is an anagram for Quaint. Somehow, in spite of being fairly clean and updated, it still seemed shabby underneath.
     Reed was watching me for signs of "aah factor" the shoulders relaxed, deep breathing sensation I get at most of the places we stay. There was not going to be any aah factor at the La Quinta, and we, mostly me, were going to be there for eight days. So that evening we walked to the Hampton to see if  looking pathetic in person made a difference in the room rate. Alas, no. It was Tulip Festival, the cruise season has started. As I knew from checking rates before we came, Seattle is in summer mode. But helpful Monte at the front counter called his counterpart at the Aloft Hotel next door and said to try there. Sammie managed to give us the rate they give airline employees, a price which does not go up in tourist season. Not only that, but she upgraded us to a large, corner room with a similarly large bathroom.
     Aside from feeling we are too old for the vibe of this hotel, I am aah-fully content here. It is brand new, everything high efficiency, so high efficiency they are already having to redo wiring, but  somehow I don't mind the construction here, even when it is right outside my door. The sparse, furnishings are minimalist, some look like oversized Lego pieces. As in Europe, your key card controls the electricity so the lights go out when you do. You have to pay for your food and most of it is disgusting healthy. But if you choose not to have daily maid service, you get a $5 per day "green voucher" to use as you wish. In case you actually want to eat organic quinoa or, ironically, get a drink at the bar. I do not, but I am cheap and will use the money for food that is minimally healthy. There are only two drawers in which to unpack, but I am actually storing some of the things I would normally put in a nightstand in our in-room safe. I don't think there is a laundry room here. This hotel is for hip young business travelers who have enough energy to do more than watch TV after work--but apparently not do laundry. There is a pool table, a bar and music in the lobby. Or so I've noticed when we return from dinner to go watch TV in our room. Actually, we are mostly reading, not only reading, but reading digital media. That is about as close to young hipsters as we get. We would still prefer the homey Hampton to the green Aloft, but at least it ain't "Quaint".