Hotel vs Hovel

Hotel and Hovel. The same word except for one letter. Huge difference in meaning.

As Bedroom Secrets revealed, I’ve just returned from settling my two children into their homes at their respective universities back east. This is my son’s first year, my daughter’s second. Trust me, the accommodations could not be more different. One has moved into a hotel, the other a hovel.

But first, a quick summary of the process. At both universities, the majority of the first years from out-of-town live in dorms located on campus. While their roommates are selected for them with the help of a lengthy questionnaire, they have virtually no say regarding the actual residence. As for the upper years, they no longer live in residence, opting to rent an off campus home or apartment with a group of buddies.

Last year, my daughter was placed into the oldest and largest residence on campus. She shared a shoe box sized room with another girl and the down-the-hall bathrooms with both the girls and the boys on her floor.

Imagine my son’s delight when he learns in August he is to spend his first year living in a recently renovated former hotel. Imagine our amazement when he is presented with the key to one of just five two bedrooms in his building, after requesting a shared room with two beds. Not only does each room have a spectacular view but each is blessed with a brand new flat screen tv. In short, he’s thoroughly spoiled.

Upon perusing the photo of Henry’s room (which was taken only 20 minutes after moving in) please note the window and the fact that Meredith is able to sit comfortably on the sill.

Now, let’s move on to my darling girl’s second year bedroom, one of six in a century old home.  Can you spot the subtle differences from her brother’s room?

 Yes, the first clue is the face mask and rubber gloves. She is scraping years of mould and rot from her window sill and frame and thinks it advisable to don protective gear. In the other photo, please note the high elbow – a sign of extreme effort. Contrary to her brother’s room, Meredith’s has nothing in it but dust and lead paint chips. No bed, no desk, nothing. After giving it a thorough cleanse (“I am not moving into a filthy room, Mom”) we zip up to the closest Ikea (a mere three and a half hour round trip) in our rental car. Who knew it was possible to spend four hours plundering the aisles of this Swedish haven?

The next day we get to work assembling the acquired gems. As her room is the size of a dime everything has to be created in situ. Here she is puzzling over the desk creation. Note the recently completed bookshelf against the wall. I must say, it is such a pleasure working in 35 degrees C/95 degrees F heat in a teensy room at the top of a narrow house. Thankfully,  none of her roommates have yet moved in; we are decidedly not at our best.

The time factor of set up between hotel and hovel is telling. One hour for Henry, five days for Mere.

Yes, hotel and hovel. The same word except for one letter. Huge difference in meaning.

How about you and yours? Have you experienced such polar opposites living in res at college or  university? I’d love to hear your stories.