Valet Parking

Florida is a wonderful place to visit in the winter. When my husband is fully retired, we would love to be “snowbirds.” Until then we take a week or two, visiting in the midst of winter. We call these our Recons, traveling to different spots each visit, hoping to find our perfect snow birding spot.

A few years ago, we made last minute reservations in Marco Island. Hotels were limited at that time, so we splurged for a short four-night stay and booked a rather pricy hotel.

Pulling up to the hotel, the two parking valets hustled over to greet us, and we quickly realized, we’ve got to tip them! Neither of us being accustomed to this swanky life style, I pulled out my phone, googling how much to tip a parking valet. Phones and google are a wonderful thing.

Greeting us by name, they quickly unloaded our luggage, handed us our parking ticket, took our car, and showed us to our room. We still were not so sure we wanted to hand a ticket to them and wait while they retrieved our car, each time we ventured out and in.

We are out and about a lot, and wondered if this might stifle our freedom.  

Actually, they were great, and it was quite convenient having our car brought to us, then parked for us each time we returned.

Heading to dinner that evening, our parking valet suggested a couple nice steak and seafood restaurants. My husband thanked him, then asked, “How about the best burger place?” Of course, he had no idea! Perhaps we were a bit outclassed, but really, who doesn’t love a good burger?

We found a great burger place, returned back to hotel, promptly greeted by our guy opening our doors, then taking our car to the parking garage.

For future reference, my husband informed him of the burger place. 

We entered our room, robes hanging out for us, slippers at the bed, sheets turned back with mints on the pillows. We laughed at the fact that this is just not us while at the same time gobbling down the mints.

Leaving the last day, we told the parking valets they did a great job, thanked them and handed them our final tip. We were off to the East Coast, New Smyrna Beach. It was a rainy day as we pulled into our hotel parking lot. I turned to my husband and said, “Where’s our parking valet?” Haha, how quickly I started enjoying the finer things of life! Enjoy all sides of life and….. Don’t live old