My recent trip to the USA put me back in the essential role of a guest. As an accommodation owner myself, this was a perfect opportunity to rigorously evaluate three vastly different lodging experiences. I wanted to see where others succeeded and, more importantly, where they failed—all with the goal of ensuring the Golden Mermaid Villa experience is truly exceptional.

Here is the tale of three accommodations, and the vital lessons they offered.

The Corporate Fail: Hyatt Place Herndon Dulles Airport East

I booked this stay out of necessity—I had a credit to use and needed a shuttle and proximity to the Metro. This Hyatt Hotel was a lesson in how a system can utterly fail the guest experience.

The property had the corporate polish and the comfortable, signature Hyatt bed—clearly a strength of their brand’s design. But their execution was disastrous. I struggled with a lack of hot water and a persistently flashing smoke detector—a safety and comfort issue. While the staff were polite and acknowledged the problems, nothing was fixed. To top it off, housekeeping completely missed my room.

The Lesson: Having systems in place (checklists, maintenance logs, guest feedback forms) means nothing if the staff doesn’t follow through. Politeness doesn’t solve a problem; action and resolution do. At Golden Mermaid Villa, a reported issue is an emergency, not an inconvenience.

The Retreat Disappointment: Casa Om, Yoga Center

This was the complete opposite: a beautiful, unique property on stunning river cliffs, decorated with inspiring Indian furnishings. I was there for a yoga retreat, and the instruction and setting were truly enriching. The leader was dedicated, and the intention was pure.

However, the facilities let the experience down. Basic comfort suffered: weak Wi-Fi, low water pressure, and clogged showerheads. Worse, there was no clear method for exchanging or obtaining clean towels, a necessity for a sweaty yoga environment.

Then there was the food. Hargobind Khalsa, the owner had written a Cookbook, so I had set my expectations high. While the presentation and service were good, the flavor was disappointingly average. I was seeking farm-fresh vitality but got ingredients that seemed straight from Walmart.

The Lesson: Ambience and purpose aren’t enough. Luxury and retreat experiences demand that the fundamentals—water pressure, clean linens, and especially high-quality, flavorful food—must be flawless. It’s a hard thing to do everything great at the same time with a limited staff: run a hotel, operate a restaurant, and teach a yoga retreat.

The Budget Surprise: The Capsule Hostel

My final night was unplanned. I decided to leave my schedule open and, upon needing a cheap, central DC bed, I stumbled upon a capsule hostel—a new experience I’d always wanted to try. At only $59 near Chinatown, it was an interesting gamble.

The booking process immediately showed its flaws. I was met with a No Check-in Until 3 PM sign, meaning I had to lug my heavy backpack around for hours—a major pain point in travel. Check-in required an app to open three separate electronic locks. The capsule itself was a snug, twin-sized bed sized pod with walls for privacy, an outlet, and two lights.

While the bathroom was surprisingly modern, with Japanese toilets and great water pressure, the fundamental hostel issues remained: noise. The walls didn’t block sound, and guests coming and going all night disrupted sleep.

The Lesson: The smallest details make a huge difference. Forcing a guest to download an app and manage multiple locks is friction. Furthermore, while budget is important, it should never come at the expense of a good night’s rest. We learned that comfort and tranquility are non-negotiable, regardless of price.

Bringing the Lessons Home to Golden Mermaid Villa

Being a guest again was an invaluable refresher course. It illuminated the stark difference between “having a system” and “delivering an experience.”

At Golden Mermaid Villa, we’ve taken these three tales to heart:

• We prioritize Action over Apology: Any issue is addressed and resolved immediately.
• We ensure Comfort is Fundamental: You’ll find strong water pressure, quality, luxurious linens, and effortless service.
• We eliminate Friction: Check-in is simple, and your peace and quiet are respected.

Our goal is to ensure your stay with us is expansive, restorative, and flawless—no flashing smoke detectors, weak showers, or noisy capsules allowed.

What’s the most frustrating small detail that has ever ruined an otherwise good hotel stay for you?

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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.