As a child, I remember family road trips where we would drive for what seemed like an eternity (“Are we there yet?”) before reaching our destination.

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And, whether we were going to be spending our vacation on a sunny, sandy beach or visiting some distant aunt who smelled like a perfume factory accident, chances were, once we arrived, we would be greeted by a big, bland chain hotel.

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Those big chain hotels were the norm for a long time in the U.S. Over the years, online booking agencies, chain hotels, and credit card companies got hip to Americans’ increasing penchant for travel and built up some pretty nice travel rewards programs.

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In more recent years, boutique hotels — a trend I’m happy to see — have gained prominence as travelers have come to appreciate the character of not only the place they are visiting but of the place where they will be sleeping as well.

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But these hotels often don’t have the budget to promote big loyalty or rewards programs.

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That’s where The Guestbook comes in.

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