Despite living in Manhattan for the past 12+ years and growing up about an hour outside the city, I never had a solid hotel recommendation for out-of-town visitors. Until now.
No stranger to the Marriott brand, I’ve stayed in numerous ones over the years including the JW Marriott Camelback Inn while on our “babymoon.” We lived in an ExecuStay for 7+ months while renovating Chez Glamamom, and I recently produced a conference at the Marriott Marquis. I didn’t however, know much about Marriott’s Residence Inn brand, which consequently is the one I’m most likely to choose now that I have a toddler.
Monday I became a “Resident Mom” and spent the night at the Marriott Residence Inn, Times Square to learn more about the brand and help the folks at Residence Inn understand better what families look for when traveling, as part of their initiative to expand family packages.
We have yet to stay in a hotel with Sebastian, instead opting to bunk with family or rent a house during our vacations to ensure we have all the comforts of home. One night at the Residence Inn, and I can easily see why it appeals to families and extended-stay travelers.
Accommodations include a spacious suite with a kitchen (refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, microwave, and bar seating) flat screen t.v., free WiFi, complimentary hot breakfast, huge laundry room, gym, free iPad/iPhone app with walking tours of Manhattan, and an on-call doctor.
They had me at “laundry room” but the view’s not half bad either:
After a comfortable night’s sleep (minus the false fire alarm at 5:45 am), breakfast, and a round-table travel discussion with Sherice from The BadAssMama, Sarah from The Stroller Ballet, and Jessica from Momma’s Gone City, we embarked on a Foods of New York food and cultural walking tour of the Village and visited a ton of places I’d never been like Faicco’s, Centro Vinoteca, Milk & Cookies, Murray’s Cheese Shop and Cornelia Street Cafe. I had leftovers for dinner tonight and can’t wait to do this tour again!
What are your priorities when choosing a hotel?
{My participation in this “staycation” was sponsored by Marriott Residence Inn who provided me with hotel and meal accommodations. All opinions expressed herein are my own. For more photos, visit Glamamom on Facebook. For additional information on any of the 600 Residence Inns across the US or for reservations, visit Marriott’s website.}
What a fun experience! The view from your hotel room is awesome, and I can’t believe all those amenities – wow! (They had ME at free WiFi).
Definitely will be recommending this to my out of town buddies!
Twitter: fashion_isha :
I stayed there when I got married 22 years and ago and it was just so glamorous then…so great to see how fabulous it still is. Glad you had a great time! I LOVE NYC!!
xo
Sharon
http://www.fashion-isha.com
Stayed in my first Residence Inn by Marriott this past weekend while in Charlotte NC for a conference. I loved it!!! All the amenities of home! What sold me was the living area and separate bedrooms!
Twitter: MyPixieBlog :
This is awesome! Thanks, momma–I always have people ask me for hotel recommendations and I never know what to tell them either. I will definitely keep this Marriott in mind. Looks fabulous (I would go for the laundry, too, LOL!).
Also, Murray’s is always on my list of places to try!
Twitter: FitChickNYC :
After seeing your photos I want to go on one of the food tours. Looks like so much fun!
Twitter: lilblksunshine :
After seeing your pics I want to have a staycation. Love it!
Twitter: MommyDelicious :
They had me at “free WiFi” and “on-call doctor.” That’s such a good idea, especially with a child running around. When I took Aiden to Disney World this past March, the resort (although it was pretty neat) didn’t have free WiFi. That was SOOOOO annoying, especially because I felt as though I was paying a lot to stay there. Ugh!
Anyhow, you got some really great shots of places around the village and you gals look so lovely in these pics!
Twitter: anna_sandler :
our suburban selves take an annual stay-cation to manhattan every august, i haven’t booked it yet for this year, so this is perfect timing! would be so fun to stay in times square, we usually go uptown.
Twitter: BonBonRoseGirls :
That looks like one fabulous group of ladies!
ahhh so jealous! i really want to live in NYC one day. Must stay at that hotel when i visit nyc xx
How fun!
You had me at free HOT breakfast…..j/k
Sounds like a great setup for families…hotels and airplanes are the two reasons I don’t travel or haven’t traveled w Connor yet..good to know that I could and SHOULD.
Have a great weekend.
C
Twitter: Practicalmom :
I’m so happy to know this…we’ve stayed a few places in NYC with the kids, but most places aren’t really “family” places! Thanks for the great tip!
Nowadays free WiFi is very important, and free parking will seal the deal!
Twitter: noshoppingliz :
I prefer not to stay in older hotels, so I try to choose ones that have been around for 10 years or less. Something about the ick factor. But, it’s probably just my insane anal-ness (that’s a word, right?)
Also, when I’m in the hotel, I try to stay away from the floors above conference rooms or clubs or bars because my husband is a very light sleeper.
Twitter: bellebeandog :
I would SO go on a staycation in a major city! I’ve missed Urbania and longed for it for years.
Twitter: achicmommy :
I so can’t wait to visit NYC…it looks like you ladies had a blast for your staycation. It’s always good to get away whether it’s in the same city or not and of course with girlfriends
Is it on Grove? I was trying to figure out where that church (?) was outside the window because I think I recognize it.
Twitter: Glamamom :
Grove it is!
looks like FUN! I think I must do this food tour… thanks!