Last Updated on: October 24, 2026

hola brucecheckingin.com

Seriously. I love hotels so much that I’ve always said my ideal living arrangement would probably be spending one month at home and one month in a hotel. Or maybe six months at home and six months in hotels. Who knows?

Don’t get me wrong. I love having my own space, my own things, and everything just the way I like it. But there’s something about staying in a hotel that I’ve always loved.

And no, I’m not really an Airbnb or vacation rental kind of guy. Give me a good hotel any day.

I love the experience of checking in, walking into a beautiful room, and knowing that for the next few days, somebody else is taking care of the little things. You leave for the day, come back, and your room has been cleaned. Fresh towels, a made bed, maybe a little turndown service if we’re getting fancy.

It’s almost like getting a little taste of what it feels like to be wealthy. Even if it’s only for a few nights.

And I absolutely love it.

Sometimes Hotels Felt More Like Home

I started traveling seriously in my mid-20s, which was more than 15 years ago. Oops, I guess I’m telling my age now.

But looking back, I realize something interesting about myself.

There were times when hotels genuinely felt more like home to me than my actual home did.

I know that probably sounds crazy.

I’ve lived in different cities, had different apartments, and moved around quite a bit. But when I think back on those years, I realize I never really invested much into making those places feel like permanent homes.

And I think I finally understand why.

I was always itching to get away.

I was always thinking about the next destination, the next flight, the next hotel, or the next place I hadn’t seen yet.

Travel wasn’t just something I did when I had vacation time. It became a huge part of how I experienced life.

From Airline Employee to Traveling Across America

My career in travel actually started long before I became a travel agent.

Back in my 20s, I worked for an airline. I’d lived in Los Angeles and eventually transferred to Las Vegas, where, about a year later, I got laid off.

Now, most people probably would’ve immediately started looking for another job.

Me? I decided to travel.

And travel I did.

I spent much of the next year exploring North America. I made my way through Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and so many other places.

Eventually, I traveled across the country, from California all the way back to Jacksonville, Florida, where I’m originally from.

I stopped in cities and towns along the way, visited family, explored places I’d never been, and just enjoyed the freedom of being able to go.

And apparently, that wasn’t enough.

I eventually made my way down to South America, traveled around the continent, and even spent some time in Asia.

At some point, though, reality caught up with me.

I needed money.

So I came home and went back to work.

And Then Came British Airways and American Express

Eventually, I landed a job with British Airways.

Now, imagine somebody who already loves traveling suddenly having access to airline employee flight benefits.

Girl.

That travel bug I’d already caught? It got about ten times worse.

But the experience that really changed the way I traveled came later, when I started working for American Express.

I spent nearly 13 years with American Express, and during that time, I had opportunities to experience some of the most incredible hotels in the world.

Luxury hotels, beautiful resorts, amazing service, and experiences that, quite frankly, I couldn’t have afforded on my own at the time.

And if we’re being honest, there are some places I’ve stayed that I still couldn’t afford today.

But I got to experience them. I got to learn what makes a great hotel truly great, what exceptional hospitality feels like, and how different the experience can be when a property really knows how to take care of its guests.

I’ve been spoiled. I’ll admit it.

And somewhere along the way, my love of hotels became more than just a personal obsession. It became part of my career.

Now I Get to Help Other People See the World

While working at American Express, I was also building my own travel business.

Today, I own BWP Travel, a travel agency where I get to help people experience destinations and hotels all around the world.

I’ve helped clients plan trips across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond. And one of the things I enjoy most is helping somebody experience a place they’ve always dreamed of visiting.

Of course, I still love a good hotel.

And through my agency’s affiliation with Travel Experts, we have access to preferred hotel relationships and special benefits at many properties around the world.

So yes, if you ever need help finding or booking a great hotel, I’d love to help you with that, too.

But I don’t want this blog to be one long sales pitch.

That’s not why I’m here.

So, What Exactly Is Bruce Checking In?

Well, a little bit of everything.

I’ll be checking into hotels, sharing my thoughts about places I’ve visited, talking about travel, and occasionally sharing whatever else happens to be on my mind.

Some of it will be about hotels I’ve stayed in over the years. I’ve got quite a few stories and experiences worth revisiting.

But mostly, I want this blog to be about what’s ahead.

The places I haven’t been yet. The hotels I haven’t checked into. The things I’m learning, the things I love, and probably a few things that get on my nerves along the way.

And since I’m starting a personal blog about 15 years after everybody else was blogging, I figure I might as well do it my way.

No grand production. No pretending that every trip is perfect. Just my perspective, my experiences, and a little bit of my life.

So whether you’re here because you love hotels as much as I do, you’re looking for travel inspiration, or you’re just curious about where I’ll end up next, I’m glad you stopped by.

I’m Bruce. And this is Bruce Checking In.

See you at the next check-in.

If you haven’t figured it out already, this is a travel blog. And if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I love hotels.

Seriously. I love hotels so much that I’ve always said my ideal living arrangement would probably be spending one month at home and one month in a hotel. Or maybe six months at home and six months in hotels. Who knows?

Don’t get me wrong. I love having my own space, my own things, and everything just the way I like it. But there’s something about staying in a hotel that I’ve always loved.

And no, I’m not really an Airbnb or vacation rental kind of guy. Give me a good hotel any day.

I love the experience of checking in, walking into a beautiful room, and knowing that for the next few days, somebody else is taking care of the little things. You leave for the day, come back, and your room has been cleaned. Fresh towels, a made bed, maybe a little turndown service if we’re getting fancy.

It’s almost like getting a little taste of what it feels like to be wealthy. Even if it’s only for a few nights.

And I absolutely love it.

Sometimes Hotels Felt More Like Home

I started traveling seriously in my mid-20s, which was more than 15 years ago. Oops, I guess I’m telling my age now.

But looking back, I realize something interesting about myself.

There were times when hotels genuinely felt more like home to me than my actual home did.

I know that probably sounds crazy.

I’ve lived in different cities, had different apartments, and moved around quite a bit. But when I think back on those years, I realize I never really invested much into making those places feel like permanent homes.

And I think I finally understand why.

I was always itching to get away.

I was always thinking about the next destination, the next flight, the next hotel, or the next place I hadn’t seen yet.

Travel wasn’t just something I did when I had vacation time. It became a huge part of how I experienced life.

From Airline Employee to Traveling Across America

My career in travel actually started long before I became a travel agent.

Back in my 20s, I worked for an airline. I’d lived in Los Angeles and eventually transferred to Las Vegas, where, about a year later, I got laid off.

Now, most people probably would’ve immediately started looking for another job.

Me? I decided to travel.

And travel I did.

I spent much of the next year exploring North America. I made my way through Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and so many other places.

Eventually, I traveled across the country, from California all the way back to Jacksonville, Florida, where I’m originally from.

I stopped in cities and towns along the way, visited family, explored places I’d never been, and just enjoyed the freedom of being able to go.

And apparently, that wasn’t enough.

I eventually made my way down to South America, traveled around the continent, and even spent some time in Asia.

At some point, though, reality caught up with me.

I needed money.

So I came home and went back to work.

And Then Came British Airways and American Express

Eventually, I landed a job with British Airways.

Now, imagine somebody who already loves traveling suddenly having access to airline employee flight benefits.

Girl.

That travel bug I’d already caught? It got about ten times worse.

But the experience that really changed the way I traveled came later, when I started working for American Express.

I spent nearly 13 years with American Express, and during that time, I had opportunities to experience some of the most incredible hotels in the world.

Luxury hotels, beautiful resorts, amazing service, and experiences that, quite frankly, I couldn’t have afforded on my own at the time.

And if we’re being honest, there are some places I’ve stayed that I still couldn’t afford today.

But I got to experience them. I got to learn what makes a great hotel truly great, what exceptional hospitality feels like, and how different the experience can be when a property really knows how to take care of its guests.

I’ve been spoiled. I’ll admit it.

And somewhere along the way, my love of hotels became more than just a personal obsession. It became part of my career.

Now I Get to Help Other People See the World

While working at American Express, I was also building my own travel business.

Today, I own BWP Travel, a travel agency where I get to help people experience destinations and hotels all around the world.

I’ve helped clients plan trips across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond. And one of the things I enjoy most is helping somebody experience a place they’ve always dreamed of visiting.

Of course, I still love a good hotel.

And through my agency’s affiliation with Travel Experts, we have access to preferred hotel relationships and special benefits at many properties around the world.

So yes, if you ever need help finding or booking a great hotel, I’d love to help you with that, too.

But I don’t want this blog to be one long sales pitch.

That’s not why I’m here.

So, What Exactly Is Bruce Checking In?

Well, a little bit of everything.

I’ll be checking into hotels, sharing my thoughts about places I’ve visited, talking about travel, and occasionally sharing whatever else happens to be on my mind.

Some of it will be about hotels I’ve stayed in over the years. I’ve got quite a few stories and experiences worth revisiting.

But mostly, I want this blog to be about what’s ahead.

The places I haven’t been yet. The hotels I haven’t checked into. The things I’m learning, the things I love, and probably a few things that get on my nerves along the way.

And since I’m starting a personal blog about 15 years after everybody else was blogging, I figure I might as well do it my way.

No grand production. No pretending that every trip is perfect. Just my perspective, my experiences, and a little bit of my life.

So whether you’re here because you love hotels as much as I do, you’re looking for travel inspiration, or you’re just curious about where I’ll end up next, I’m glad you stopped by.

I’m Bruce. And this is Bruce Checking In.

See you at the next check-in.