It used to be all about the sex and the pre-sex visuals for me. However, in the last decade, I've shifted pretty dramatically to where the sex is certainly enjoyable, but the picking from a line up (virtual or preferably in person), visual, the anticipation and fantasizing before the session, the flirting, conversing, interpersonal interaction with the girl during the session (aside from the sex) is the highlight now.
But agree that searching, researching, booking, getting to and back, and other aspects are a pain in the ass.