After a long day of travel headaches, the private room felt like a reward for my patience.

After a long day of travel headaches, the private room felt like a reward for my patience. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

After a long day of travel headaches, the private room felt like a reward for my patience. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

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When I booked a $230 one-way ticket for one of Amtrak’s first-class roomettes, I was expecting a luxurious, seamless experience.

Instead, I encountered a nearly six-hour delay that left me roaming the streets of downtown Tampa in anticipation of the train’s arrival.

The delay — which Amtrak said was related to issues caused by extreme heat — severely impacted my travel schedule, turning my afternoon trip into a late-night journey.

However, the comfort of the private room made up for the travel complications. Enjoying a complimentary dinner in an upscale dining car and lying down in a comfortable bed turned an otherwise tedious journey into a pleasurable experience.

Here’s what it was like to travel in one of Amtrak’s first-class roomettes on its Floridian line.