Ah, I had missed this aspect, but of course, memorable hotel stays have often involved meeting interesting people - many of whom have become firm friends over the years.

Our great friends from the US came from an impromptu meeting at The Oberoi Bali, way back in the early 1980s when The Oberoi was the only/best option on the island. We shared a transfer from the airport, then we got talking over breakfast the next day and the rest is history. Another good friend was discovered at Amanpuri in 1989. I looked up from my place at the pool as she and her husband arrived, garlanded with flowers and on a show-around, and our eyes met and we got talking. We are still great friends. And, I could go on - so many extraordinary people that I met at hotels. Life changing? Definitely.