Have Houseplant, Will Travel!

By Larry Hodgson

Does the dropping of so many COVID restrictions have you eager to start traveling again? To get and see the world the way we all used to do just a few years ago?

Yes, but, what about your plants? Your beloved houseplants? Mona, the dracena and Mr. G the . . . whatever, but you’re sure the name started with G, or maybe J. Can you even imagine leaving the little darlings all on their own even overnight, let alone for a few days or even—I shudder to think of it!—a week!

Well, this travel conundrum is becoming a thing of the past, if the new facilities at Elmwood Hotel & Suites in Lexington, Kentucky, are a sign of the times.

The First Plant-Friendly Hotel

With the help of VisitLEX, Lexington Visitors Center, the Elmington is becoming the world’s first plant-friendly hotel.

Here’s what the VisitLex press release has to say: “It’s official. Pets are the new babies, and plants are the new pets. People everywhere now consider their leafy buddies to be part of the family just like a beloved dog or cat. So VisitLEX partnered with Elwood Hotel & Suites to offer eco-minded visitors the World’s First Plant-Friendly Hotel experience, a collection of special rooms and amenities for plant moms and dads who can’t bear to leave their potted pals at home.”

And hotel spokesperson added, “After all, there are plenty of pet-friendly hotels out there. So, why not offer the same Southern hospitality to the houseplants people love just as much?”

Only the Best for your Plants

The hotel will unveil the newly refurbished plant-friendly suites on April 8, 2022. Each room offers exceptional natural sunlight and superb and stable humidity. And it comes already decorated with a family of happy houseplants. These were specially chosen by a local greenhouse, so your baby can just join the fray. They even serve a “tisane” (mais oui!) for plants served in a pink mug. Better yet, there are “locally made botanical toiletries” in each room. Soaps, lotions, etc. Intriguing! I wonder if they’re for the plants or the humans?

Plus, they give you a fresh potted succulent as a take-home gift when you check out .

I know what you’re all thinking: “If I check out every morning and back in the same day, can I have a new plant each time?”

I wouldn’t wait too long to reserve if I were you: rooms are being snapped up rapidly . . . hopefully not by a giant Venus flytrap!

Prices start at $239 per night. Not bad for a boutique hotel.

For more information, call the hotel’s booking department at 1-859-423-1001.

Hmmm! One of my wife’s friends lives near Lexington and we haven’t paid her a visit in—well! —I don’t think we ever did visit her, really. But it would be nice for Marie and her to get together again. And I could bring my favorite schefflera, Sherry, along: she could use a bit of an outing!

Photos and video courtesy of VisitLEX.