Residence Inn by Marriott: Catering to Traveling Families and Their Kids
New York City has a lot to offer visitors, this we know. But rarely do visitors – or even those who live here – ever get a chance to have a New York experience that not only delights the senses, but also gives one an insight and deeper understanding of the city’s culture. Rarely is a hotel company the one responsible for giving visitors such an experience. And rarely does a hotel make it possible for the experience to be enjoyable for those traveling with kids as well.
One such hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott recently invited me and a group of working moms (either working in or out of the home) for an opportunity to stay at their Times Square location, on Avenue of The Americas and 36th Street, to experience all the amenities and various experiences traveling families can enjoy when visiting the city and staying at their location.
Having experienced not only Residence Inn Times Square, but also the Residence Inn brand throughout our 2010 road trip adventure, I know full well how lovely they can be and how well they serve not only business travelers, but traveling families and other leisure travelers. But just to make sure that they are getting it right, they invited me and the group in as their Residence Moms to hear what we had to say about traveling with our own families and kids, and the details that make our stay not only more enjoyable, but a lot easier.
The Residence Inn and Residence Mom Crew
I, for one, love that Residence Inn offers complimentary breakfast, and not just a bagel and some juice, but a full, satisfying meal, with a variety of choices, many of which are healthy and calorie conscious (including really good coffee!).
I also love that they have an in-house laundry room. Traveling with all my guys I have, especially on those extended road trips, having laundry facilities is golden.
Their rooms are spacious and contemporary, clean and very, very comfortable. A bonus is that in this location you also have the opportunity to enjoy some breathtaking views of the city depending on what room you stay in. And though I think their rooms are spectacular, they are already in the works of renovating many of the rooms across the brand, allowing for more space, more light, and a lot more comfort.
To read more about the Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square, check out my review here.
On this most recent trip to Residence Inn Time Square, we had the opportunity to experience New York and some of its history through food. We (New York) are known for our amazing culinary scene, and even unique food finds, but I think that complimenting your food adventure with a food tour is an pretty cool way to go, especially when discovering a city for the first time.
Our Original Greenwich Village Food Tasting & Cultural Tour was provided by Foods of NY Tour. We ventured into all sorts of great eateries in the Village, many of which most visitors don’t even stop in to check out!
Such places like: Joe’s Pizza, O & Co., Centro Vinoteca, Milk & Cookies Bakery, Faico’s, and Murray’s Cheese Shop.
To say that this was a deliciously, fun experience is an understatement. I have enjoyed many of these destinations on my own, but add a fun tour guide with a vast knowledge of food, history, and some comedic relief and you are left with a truly unique NYC moment. I highly recommend it.
And though Residence Inn doesn’t offer these tours or packages for these tours themselves, they do offer guests an opportunity to discover New York City through various other offers and discounts. Check out their New York specials and offers website page here.
But New York isn’t the only location feeling the Residence Inn love for traveling families. With spacious suites, their awesome complimentary free hot breakfast, free WiFi (yes, you read correctly -FREE!) and more than 600 locations across the U.S., Residence Inn provides great value and many options to keep families smiling this summer.
Check out other specials such as:
San Diego, CA: Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter Families can enjoy a night on the town with the Major League Baseball team San Diego Padres. Package includes nightly accommodations, a $50 San Diego Padres gift card per night, valet parking for one vehicle and two cocktails in Bar Vie nightly. Rates start at $219 per night and are valid through September 30, 2011.
San Antonio, TX: Ultimate SeaWorld Vacation – Residence Inn San Antonio Downtown/Market Square Cool off at the largest marine life park in the world. Package includes nightly accommodations, complimentary parking and two to four day passes to SeaWorld, where families can interact with dolphins and ride the Shamu Express. Rates start at $200 per night and are valid through December 31, 2011.
Orlando, FL: Orlando Hot Air Balloon Package – Residence Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista See all of Orlando and the magic the city has to offer from high in the sky with a hot air balloon ride that will excite the entire family. Package includes nightly accommodations in a one- or two-bedroom suite, hot air balloon ride for two adults and two children 10 and under, complimentary transportation to and from the take-off site and complimentary transportation to Epcot®. Rates start at $199 per night.
Traveling with kids can be a daunting experience. Knowing that the hotel is going to cater to your needs as a family, and also offer you a little extra to make your experience a great one is on the top of my list of priorities. I appreciate that Residence Inn has taken the time to get to know what we want, what our expectations are, and what we need. But I also appreciate that each time I have stayed with them, kids or not, our experience has been a wonderful one. And it is why it remains on my list of top hotels to choose from when traveling, especially with kids in tow.
For more information, additional packages or to book, please visit: www.residenceinn.com; www.marriott.com or call 1-800-MARRIOTT
For more information on Foods of NY Tours and the many food tours they offer throughout the city, please visit: http://www.foodsofny.com/
Disclosure: Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square provided complimentary stay as well as food tour. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
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It’s nice to know they cater to families and children at a time when traveling with kids is getting a bad rap (e.g. No kids in 1st class on planes).
I agree Bicultural Mama! Such a nice experience to walk into a place and know that they are HAPPY to have you and want to know how they can make it better for you and your family! This is why I love them so much and enjoyed staying with them all throughout our road trip last year.
“But rarely do visitors – or even those who live here – ever get a chance to have a New York experience that not only delights the senses, but also gives one an insight and deeper understanding of the city’s culture”. SO true! If you are planning a trip to the city (or live here and want experience something new) Family In New York is a great way to ensure you do delight your senses and really enjoy and learn about NYC! Family In New York specializes in custom private New York Sightseeing tours. They can build a tour to fit your family and their unique interests! They can certainly show you the typical sights but also off the beaten path!