Of course great hotels have always been social ideas, flawless mirrors to the particular societies they service

Of course great hotels have always been social ideas, flawless mirrors to the particular societies they service

In her essay "Goodbye to All That," Joan Didion explores the idea of hotels as social ideas and mirrors of the societies they serve. Didion's writing often delves into the complexities of American society and culture, and she uses the concept of hotels as a lens through which to examine these larger themes.

Didion suggests that great hotels are not just places to stay, but reflections of the values, norms, and aspirations of the society in which they are located. She argues that hotels are not just buildings, but social institutions that shape and are shaped by the people who inhabit them. In this sense, hotels are not neutral spaces, but active participants in the social fabric of a community.

Didion's assertion that great hotels are social ideas is particularly relevant in the context of her own experiences as a writer and traveler. Throughout her career, Didion has spent time in some of the world's most famous hotels, from the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles to the Ritz in Paris. These hotels have served as both inspiration and backdrop for her writing, and she has often used them as symbols of the larger social and cultural forces at play in the world.

For Didion, hotels are not just places to sleep, but sites of social interaction, power dynamics, and cultural exchange. They are spaces where people come together, where ideas are exchanged, and where social hierarchies are both reinforced and challenged. In this sense, hotels are not just buildings, but living, breathing entities that reflect the complexities of the societies they serve.