hotel/resort review Archives - Page 14 of 14

Embassy Suites South Lake Tahoe: Ideal Location, Ideal for Families!

July 11, 2010 by The Mom Jen 1 Comment

We spend a week in South Lake Tahoe each summer with short weekend trips throughout the year. It’s an amazing locale for the gambler, snowsports fan, mountain biker, and lake lover! It’s an amazing spot for kids, couples, and families alike. When we stay for a long haul, we normally share a rental condo with kitchen accommodations to cut back on eating-out expenses, but for a weekend, you must stay at the Embassy Suites, South Lake Tahoe!

Set on Hwy 50, just steps from the California/Nevada stateline, you can go shopping, gambling, and enjoy the lake in just a matter of blocks. In a driveway adjacent to Harrah’s casino, pull your car in for valet parking at a cost of $25 daily. My husband wasn’t thrilled about this right off the bat, he likes to be in charge of his car as well as saving a buck.

Each suite has two rooms with either a king or two queen beds in the bedroom along with a sink. The beds were super comfortable, expect a solid night’s rest. Separated by a door and full bathroom, enjoy a microwave, mini-fridge, sink and counter area for your snacks. A dining table and chairs are included in the living area with a pull out couch, chair and cable television. This is perfect for having the kids sleep and watch their television shows while parents can relax and enjoy a pay-per-view movie and a little space! The kids were thrilled to have a clock radio that was iPod compatible for charging and music of their choice, though wi-fi is available for a fee.

Stepping out of your room you see 9 floors of a gorgeous atrium styled building, with lovely decor. The second floor hosts the nightly manager’s reception (complimentary) and breakfast buffet (also free with room charge). The reception has a bar of specialty drinks along with beer and wine and non-alcoholic choices. Kids are welcome at the reception to enjoy pretzels, fresh-popped popcorn, vegetable crudites, juices and soda. You must present your room key at the bar for 2 drinks per order. We thoroughly enjoyed the two hour cocktail hour!

Our kids favorite? Swimming in the indoor pool that is the temperature of bath water. We couldn’t get them out! Also on the second floor, the pool/spa/gym/sauna/outdoor lounge area is family friendly with a bonus adult-only hour after closing for the evening.

For all your needs, there’s a gift shop and convenience store on site. You never know with kids if you’ll need a medical remedy or just a local souvenir. But, if you do leave the hotel, Raley’s is around the corner, plenty of inexpensive t-shirt shops, and lots of great restaurants (Applebee’s, Burger King, Blue Dog Pizza and Subway) within walking distance.

The morning is relaxing when you know that there’s a full made-to-order breakfast buffet including chefs creating the omelet of your choice! Every breakfast food is featured from cereals to oatmeal, to pancakes, to muffins, to yogurt, and french toast! The kids wanted to sample everything, but you have to be careful not to waste! You will not leave the hotel hungry that’s for sure! Enjoying the comped happy hour and breakfast buffet, you are saving some money while you’re in Tahoe for those outside activities when you stay at the Embassy Suites!

Check out is quick and easy over the television, with a few pushes of the buttons, you leave your keys on the table and grab your car! We can’t wait to book another stay at the Embassy Suites, South Lake Tahoe. With the only downfall being the valet parking (which we were told was mandatory), you will have everything your family needs in this hotel, covered!

We were compensated for one night plus free valet parking in exchange for our honest review.

Best Western Victorian Inn, Monterey: Fabulous for a Romantic Getaway and Perfect for Families!

June 15, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

We are so very lucky to live on the Central Coast in California. The summers are warm, yet cool by the ocean, and the lanscape is just fabulous. Heading to Monterey for the weekend, you can walk on the wharf, shop on Cannery Row, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and at the end of the day, relax in your hotel room. If you are bringing your children with you on your trip, you must stay at the Best Western Victorian Inn on Foam Street!! On a recent trip, our family enjoyed this boutique hotel with it’s focus on quiet-comfort and added money-saving benefits.Located just two blocks from the famous Cannery Row, their underground garage will host your car while you can walk to food, drinks, beach, Ghirardelli, Bubba Gumps, or shopping!

We were thrilled to learn they offer a family suite in the hotel. Five of us in a standard room gets crowded quickly. The family suite offers a master bedroom/bathroom separated by a door into the living room (pull out double bed), kitchenette, and patio. The kitchenette is great when you want to bring snacks like popcorn or microwave meals to cut costs on your trip. There’s silverware, plates, and bowls available as well. There’s a television is a beautiful armoir for the kids to enjoy their show, as well as a fireplace for cozy evenings.

The master was amazing! A second patio, second fireplace, second television and mini-bar (added fee) make this space perfect for parents. Two club chairs are great for reading while anyone needing to do some business can sit at the desk and use wireless or wired internet access. The king bed was very comfortable, and if you have a little one like us…3 fit in this bed if need be ;). The bathroom is split into two rooms, one hosts the toilet, shower/tub, and a sink, while just outside that door there is a vanity area for multiple people to get ready at once.

Room service is available, but if you’d like to enjoy local wines without the big price tag, the Victorian offers complimentary nightly cocktail receptions in the parlor. Ventana Vineyards wines in red and white are featured, as is cheese, crackers, and grapes with coffee, tea, and lemonade. My husband and I enjoyed the Ventana Chardonnay, it was very good! If you are looking for a great dinner out, in the parlor you’ll find an enormous book of menus for many great local (Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey) restaurants.

Because you walked all around Monterey, you’ll be ready for the hot tub located in the garden area of the hotel. Sunken down a bit and surrounded by walls to block the wind, parents or couples can wind down. My oldest daughter and I dipped our feet and it was hot and soothing after a long day walking through the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Wake up in the morning and enjoy the continental breakfast included in your room fee. Delicious fruits, muffins, cereals, waffles, juice and coffee fill you up and keep more money in your pocket!

Thank you to the staff, who were always helpful and friendly. The hotel is clean, the area it’s located in is beautiful, there is much attention to detail and we will stay there again when we want a getaway that has all-inclusive accommodations. Next time, a couple’s weekend!

The opinions are my experience and was not influenced by any source. We were offered a compensated room in exchange for this honest post.

Radisson Suites, Buena Park CA

April 9, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Over Spring Break, we headed down to Southern California for vacation and stayed at the Radisson Suites, Buena Park. We planned on visiting Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm so this hotel was close to both (walking distance to Knott’s) and had free shuttle service to both saving us money on parking!!

The room we stayed in was a 1 bedroom suite, had louvered blinds on the door and was very spacious for our family of five.

When you walk in you have a great room with table and chairs, bar with microwave, sink, mini-fridge and freezer.

The other half of the room had a chair and sofa sleeper.

Considering we arrived during an earthquake (happened while we were in check-in) we turned the great room’s tv on and watched the news!

The bedroom had two double beds that both had Sleep Number mattresses from Select Comfort!
I enjoy a more softer bed, while hubby enjoys a firmer, it was cool to make them work for us!

The bedroom had it’s own television as well!

The pool area was gorgeous, felt like we were in Hawaii for sure!

The pool and spa were both refreshing and comforting during our stay. The staff at the hotel was extremely helpful, courteous, and we even dined at Capistrano’s for Easter Sunday dinner. The menu had everything on it from fish to pizza to grilled cheese to fajitas!
Morning breakfasts are fully cooked including pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage as well as cold cereals and muffins, best of all it’s complimentary!!

With our AAA card, we stayed for under $100/per night and it was more than worth it! Next time you are in the OC area and want a great hotel, check out the Radisson, Buena Park!

The Clement Monterey: A Luxurious Ocean Front Hotel on Cannery Row

March 10, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Last weekend my husband and I had a couples getaway. Thanks to a giveaway I won, we got to spend the night at The Clement Monterey, an InterContinental Hotels & Resorts hotel on the famous Cannery Row. Although the area is an hour trip from home, it’s definitely a “stay-cation” worth making!

With restaurants, wine tasting, shopping, and sight-seeing all within walking distance, park your car and have the weekend getaway without stress!The luxurious hotel expands over both sides of Cannery Row, many rooms, suites, some with fireplaces and some overlooking the ocean. We were lucky to be upgraded to a ocean view room that was amazing and the sound of the waves crashing all night long was blissful!

Enjoy outdoor fireplaces over-looking the ocean (see below photo at the bottom) with a cocktail from the adjacent C Restaurant and Bar.

Even if you do bring the kids, The Clement offers…

* On-site VIP Kids Club with baby sitting services and organized activities.
* Children’s state of the art fitness equipment, flat screen TVs, video games and enriching Monterey exploration materials.
* Opportunity to explore Monterey area and participate in kid-tested crafts, games and adventures.
* Baby-Sitting

In the room, comfort, romance, and enjoyment is priority. There’s a stocked mini-bar in the cabinet, and a bottle of a local wine (for a price) near the fabulous 37 inch TV.

Up-to-date technology sees an alarm clock/radio for your iPod! The sound is fabulous!

Enjoy a good book…

A relaxing bath…

..or get to work with the in-room internet connection (a fee)…

Small touches like the city mascot Sea Otter stuffed animal (available for purchase,

Zen Garden, Sand Rake,

Free Appetizers to a nearby restaurants, The Fish Hopper or Old Fisherman’s Grotto,

bath robes and slippers, make this hotel your home away from home!

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, enjoy entertainment in the Bar lounge and in the Reading Room area.

Just below our room was a ballroom that was hosting a wedding reception, the beauty of it was memorable! And, though we didn’t use them, there is a whirlpool, pool, and gym right on site for your family’s needs!

Next time you head to the Central Coast of California, stop by magnificent Monterey and stay at The Clement from $169.00/night, it’s worth every penny. I can’t wait to stay there again, I know you will not be disappointed!

We received a free night through a contest win. All opinions are our 100% tried and true experience.

San Diego: Country Inns & Suites Hotel Review

August 12, 2009 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Right now I say “WOW” at the amazing time my family just spent in San Diego, CA. Thanks to Country Inns & Suites for treating us, our last-minute vacation turned into a 4-day adventure full of fabulous memories!

Located in Northern San Diego off the 805, County Inns is located only minutes from shopping, attractions, and the freeway. Having only been to San Diego once before, we were happy to find it very easily.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Chris at the front desk. His smile and warmth was so inviting and he checked us in quickly and efficiently. He reminded us if we needed any help to contact him personally during his shift. Throwing in a bonus set of free appetizers and non-alcoholic drink coupons was such a fabulous touch, we instantly felt like VIP’s!

We headed to our room via 1 of the 3 elevators available to us. The hotel was clean and well kept and all the staff had smiles on their faces! Entering our room we immediately noticed we were greeted with a gift basket of family friendly snacks and sodas with a personal note from the hotel manager, Wes Lavender, welcoming us!

Our main room was a King Suite, which had glass doors separating the bedroom area and the from room.

It was perfect size for a family as the sitting area couch is a sofabed. Included we had a microwave and fridge.

The bathroom was large and efficient, I can’t tell you enough about the Sunbeam shower head in the bathroom…let’s just say 8 functions! The kids used the large tub, and we appreciated the high quality Pantene hair products and Vaseline lotions that Country Inns uses!!

The king beds were amazingly comfortable and to our children’s delight, a tv in the main bedroom as well as the sitting area (opposite the sofabed).

Evening treats, COOKIES! Chocolate chip, oatmeal, and peanut butter! Each night we were there, we were so excited for cookie time. Also during the day, ice cold water bottles were made available to the guests at the front desk. Great touches!

As we headed out to a Padres baseball game, Chris at the front desk made conversation with us, making sure our stay was comfortable so far, and even chiming in on our anticipated adventures. It felt like family!

Country Inns & Suites, San Diego North has a fabulous pool that we tried out the next day. 6ft at the deepest and 3 feet at the shallow end, my 3 kids (ages 10, 8, and 3) all felt comfortable manuevering the pool. After our long day at Legoland, my husband and I enjoyed a short time in the hot tub, the jets soothing our muscles. The grounds are extremely well kept and the pool area was just as tidy, with proper bins for clean and wet towels. There was plenty of chairs and lounge chairs available as well!

The breakfast area was fabulous! A hot buffet daily is included in your nightly rate, and the food is delicious. Beyond the cold cereal and muffins, there were bagels, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, country potatoes, yogurt, hot oatmeal, and the also belgian waffles (with fresh strawberry topping!!). That’s EVERYDAY, not just the weekends!

A few other things I personally enjoyed, an ATM machine right in the hotel! Cash for parking is big all around the city and all the attractions, so it was nice to not have to find a bank (although a small fee is charged, it’s worth it). Also, a computer was at my disposal and made it helpful to find out attraction hours and prices, driving directions, and just to check my email!!

We were sent voicemails from the front desk for further help, if needed, we felt so at home and well taken care of at Country Inns and Suites!

Finally, something I’ve NEVER seen in a hotel, that is such an innovative idea for families is the Read It and Return Lending Library! If you forgot your favorite book, but need a little something to read by the pool, this is a great idea. Simply check out a book, just take it off the shelf and go. When you’re done, return it! There was a small selection at our hotel (two shelves like in my photo below), but it was nice to pass the time while waiting for our appetizers on one evening. If for some reason you forget to leave your book and take it home with you…don’t fret, bring it to any other Country Inns and Suites on your next vacation,

I cannot wait for our next trip and I think I actually want to plan around a Country Inns & Suites location to be sure I’ll be treated right while away from home! Are you looking for a last-minute road trip?! Itineraries ideas are available for ending your summer with a road trip, http://www.countryinns.com/roadtrip.

Thanks again to Country Inns & Suites for providing our hotel stay, and GM Wes Lavendar for coordinating it all and making our trip so memorable! I love this Country!