It’s often rare to come across people “living to work” and not working to live, especially with a purpose. We face the pressures to climb the ladder, earn a solid income, face the daily grind to make ends meet and more.
Few people have the courage to make their work reflect their life’s purpose—few people are like the Dalwadi family who founded Hotel Ylem, a socially conscious Houston hotel that gives back in so many ways.
When Hotel Ylem invited me to attend a Blogger Sleepover, I was excited to get some R&R time with my friend Shalanda and be pampered for an evening. When I took a closer look at the opportunity and learned about the impact Houston’s new hotel would soon make in the community and world, I felt honored to be in the company of the chic hotel’s passionate founders. The recently renovated Hotel Ylem has been built with love, care, and authentic generosity.
Jay and Kapila Dalwadi, along with their children — Manisha, Amisha, Sheetal and Sumit — have owned a hotel property in the past but truly sought to make Hotel Ylem their own, embedding compassion and charity into every detail.
What’s in a Name?
I can pour over the hotel’s impeccable style and cool design, but let’s start with the name that drew me. When my friend Sarah first mentioned Hotel Ylem, I kept pronouncing it wrong—“yalem,” “yell-lamb,” you name it.
Ylem (pronounced “eye-lem”) means the initial substance of the universe from which all things come. For the Dalwadis this means water and mother. It’s the beginning of everything, an appropriate moniker for their fresh concept. You know I’m a writer and word nerd, so I love this sentiment.
Now that I’ve defined Ylem, let’s talk about the “Y-lanthropy” features. I’m a huge fan of social good brands and strive to share companies that give back. This has been a part of me, even before starting Cup of Charisma—I once skipped an entire band performance at a music festival to talk to volunteers at a Krochet Kids booth!
One of the most compelling features of Hotel Ylem is its many charitable components.
Cocktails for You, Water for the World
charity: water holds a special place in the founders’ hearts. Their goal is to sponsor a clean-water project every year, allowing entire communities in remote parts of the world to have safe water.
To make that happen, they donate 100% of minibar proceeds and 9% of Bar Esperanto purchases. You can even opt in at booking to give $10 of your room rate to charity: water!
Décor for a Difference
Aside from vintage-style trunks to contemporary brass accents, the rooms are a creative’s playground. The walls reverberate with imagination. Colorful throw pillows come from CB2, which partners with No Kid Hungry, GLSEN, and Creativity Explored.
The LATHER soaps in your room use natural ingredients and give back through Carbonfund.org, Clean The World and more. Unused soaps are recycled and distributed to prevent hygiene-related deaths in impoverished countries.
‘Grammable Gratitude
Cerulean blues and verdant greens swirl in a stunning lobby mural by local artists. Soon this space will host rotating art exhibits, with 18% of gallery profits going back to charity: water and local talent.
Vacations are Great. Supportive Staycations are Even Better!
One thing I love to do in Houston is find a way to disconnect when I’m not working on my three jobs. A staycation treats you like a guest, lets you change your environment, and relax without chores tugging at you.
If you’re not from here, Hotel Ylem is a short drive from NRG Stadium. If you live in Houston, you can’t go wrong supporting a local business that gives back to your community.
Hotel Ylem also purchases all paper goods from Lighthouse Louisiana, an organization creating jobs for people with disabilities. They allow employees eight paid hours to volunteer locally.
I’ve told you about my nephew Jaeden, who has Down syndrome, and how much these programs can change a life. Hotel Ylem gets five stars from me for making this a priority.
Whether you live here or are just passing through, it’s great to see a company embed both national and local philanthropy in every element. I can’t wait to return and see the impact they’ll make.
Learn More:
Hotel Ylem
8080 Main Street
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 665-4439
This post was sponsored by Hotel Ylem and all opinions are my own. Thank you to the brands and readers who make Cup of Charisma possible!
