hotel stay

STAY Relax -Dine -Play at @HyattCentric SouthPark Charlotte #HyattCentricExplorer

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STAY | Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte

Conveniently located in SouthPark’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment district, Hyatt Centric invites you to enjoy a fun, sophisticated stay in the heart of some of the best Charlotte has to offer. Being able to walk to SouthPark mall to go shopping, get pampered at Sassy Nail Bar and being steps away from Steak 48 made staying at this Hyatt Centric location ideal for my weekend getaway.

This 175-room lifestyle hotel features an all natural modern design that reflects Charlotte’s history and beauty. As soon as you walk in the lobby, there is a gorgeous curved centerpiece staircase, a colorful, metallic six-foot-tall peacock statue, and eclectic art such as a mural by local artist, Hillary Siber Edwards that features “100 porcelain gold ceramic mining pans intended to represent the 100 counties in North Carolina and the region’s history as the first documented gold discovery in the United States.”

There are two on-site dining options : MIZU, a rooftop restaurant where you can catch the sunset while enjoying dinner and bar service in a lounge setting …

…..and IRO, the hotel’s lobby restaurant where I enjoyed a tasty breakfast during my stay. Order the omelette your way or any of the other healthy options on the menu.

I also enjoyed the intentional details that went into making the rooms comfy for guests like dedicated reading lights on either side of the bed, USB outlets for device charging, large 55” televisions, rainfall showerheads, and more! Additional hotel amenities include meeting and event spaces, complimentary on-site parking, complimentary Wi-Fi and a rooftop fitness center featuring Peleton bikes.

I would definitely return and recommend for a wonderful place to relax, play, work, dine and stay >> @HyattCentric

For more info and to book your rooms go to hyattcentricsouthparkcharlotte.com

Top 3 Reasons to Travel to DC and Stay in VA at Hyatt Place Arlington/Courthouse Plaza

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I am back from a wonderful weekend in DC where I covered a food festival event (The 9th Annual Chesapeake Oyster, Wine and Beer Festival) at Dock 5/Union Market DC, revisited the National Museum of African American History and Culture (which I shared our family visit highlights>>here ) and enjoyed some family fun at the only attraction in DC where you can see all 45 US Presidents, Madame Tussauds DC!

Although my agenda mostly involved being in DC, I opted for our lodging to be in VA, which is just a 4 hr roadtrip from NC. Since hubby and our 8 yr old daughter were with me, the hotel of choice had to be somewhere comfy, clean(..of course!), in a convenient location, and with a free breakfast to fuel our fun days exploring Washington,DC. So, we decided to return to a hotel property that was featured in my Family Travel Guide to Arlington, VA, which is the Hyatt Place Arlington/Courthouse. Although our last stay was in 2017, my hope was that everything that was excellent then had remained the same in 2019. Indeed it was!

Here are my Top 3 Reasons to Travel to DC and Stay in VA at Hyatt Place Arlington/Courthouse Plaza!

1. PROXIMITY

Less than 4 miles from the National Mall, The Hyatt Place Arlington/Courthouse Plaza has all the advantages of staying in Washington DC with non of the cons like traffic, noise and lack of parking. A short drive on 66 East brings you straight to the Capital. Visitors often name traffic and congestion as their main gripes when finding a lodging, this property has neither. After 6pm Arlington reverts to a mostly residential area devoid of tour buses and tourist traps.

2. PRICE


Hotels in Arlington are on average almost 25% less per night than staying in Washington D.C. proper. Snag a great price being a World Of Hyatt member. This allows them to offer you exclusive member rates and discounts over the normal rack rate.

3. PERKS

The Hyatt Place Brand means casual comfort and smart places to work and play. This property does both very well. Large modern guest suites come with a sofabed and endless television choices. They also have a USB connector island for today’s multi-device charging needs. This Hyatt Place also has a business center and a 24 hour fitness center.


Their morning breakfast has quickly become legendary. Rotating daily choices of farm fresh eggs, steel cut oatmeal and all natural bacon just to name a few. Become a World Of Hyatt Member and the breakfast is complimentary.

Whether you are visiting Arlington, VA or planning a next trip to Washington DC, I recommend this property for all the reasons listed here. There are a variety of restaurants/bars within walking distance and we enjoyed the cozy comforts of this hotel especially after a day of sightseeing in our nation’s capital.

HYATT PLACE ARLINGTON/COURTHOUSE PLAZA

2401 Wilson BoulevardArlington, VA 22201

Arlington, VA 22201

http://arlingtoncourthouseplaza.place.hyatt.com

TRAVEL | Where to Stay in Baltimore MD – Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott @BWI_Airport @FairfieldHotels

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Flying or driving to the Baltimore/Washington Dc area and seeking an affordable modern hotel? Well seek no more. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot BWI is the answer. This budget conscious property does not lack style or substance for a wallet friendly price. Whether just for one night pre or post flight or for a full blown vacation base camp, this property should be on your lodging short list. Let me share some reasons for you and your family to choose Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott BWI.

Location is Everything

This hotel is a short distance from the two major city centers.  It is right off of the B/W Pkwy-295. They also have a airport/train station shuttle that can take you anywhere within a 3 mile radius. There are a multitude restaurants and eateries close by. The MARC train runs between Baltimore and Washington and the Baltimore Light Rail takes you right into downtown Baltimore. This region offers visitors two major cities in one region. 

 

Wake Up to a wonderful Breakfast

There’s nothing worse than waking up in a hotel and having to figure out where to go for breakfast. Guests here do not have that problem. Just take the elevator to the lobby floor and voila. A hot breakfast awaits with some great coffee and tea to boot. Waffles, bacon, turkey sausage is on deck. Yogurt, granola, oatmeal, fruit and cereals can be had also. This just makes mornings better at FairField Inn & Suites.  

 

Stay Fit During Your Stay

 This hotel had an indoor pool and  spotless fitness center with new equipment for a quick run or weight training.

Modern Lobby

We were pleasantly surprised by how attractive the lobby and business center were designed. A few nods to Maryland crab culture always made us native Baltimoreans smile. Two full terminals with printers were available with office supplies. Two big flight status boards were also present. This would be priceless as it would avoid going to the airport only to find out your flight is delayed or canceled.

COMFORTABLE ROOMS

Our room was a king studio. It was a spacious open design. A microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker were all in suite. This was the only studio room I had ever stayed in that had two televisions ! Our girl stayed on the comfy sofa bed while the parents had the king. Perfect set up ! We all had a great nights sleep.

Make the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott BWI your lodging choice the next time you visit the area.

**Want to see more of what’s in store? Here is an inside look and brief tour, courtesy of my daughter #outandaboutAva!

WATCH: https://youtu.be/qk3MEStZ24c

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES by Marriott BWI Airport
1020 Andover Rd.
Linthicum, MD 21090                    Tel: 410-691-1001
http://www.marriott.com/bwiaf

    TRAVEL | Where to Stay in Atlanta GA – Hyatt Place Downtown Atlanta

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    Are you planning to visit Atlanta, GA? Well let me help you decide on where to stay. The Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown offers …”Southern Charm with a Big City Flair” at a great price. While there are a myriad of lodging choices in Downtown Atlanta, let me share some reasons for you and your family to choose Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown.
    • CONVENIENT LOCATION


    This hotel is conveniently located near the city center which made it the ideal place to stay while in Atlanta. You can walk to over 30 different restaurants and major attractions (we walked to Mellow Mushroom and World of Coca Cola). Not in the mood to walk? The Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown offers a free shuttle!Guests can utilize their free shuttle to any destination within 3 miles of the hotel. This pretty much covers almost all major city centers attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola and even the trendy Atlantic Station Shopping Area.


    •WORLD OF HYATT MEMBER PERKS


    World Of Hyatt Members {free to sign up here} get to enjoy complimentary breakfast featuring cage free eggs, delicious entree choices and specialty breakfast items. My daughter loved the warm monkey bread rolls and I appreciated the fresh fruit options for us all.


    • HAPPY HOUR


    This location specifically has a 5 to 7 happy hour at the lobby bar. For two hours guests can indulge in half price appetizers and their complimentary “drink of the day” 7 days a week. I really enjoyed the Paloma Fizz which was the featured Saturday drink during my stay. Cheers to Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown for offering these refreshing cocktails to guests.


    • MODERN COMMON SPACES


    We arrived pretty late and it was nice to be warmly welcomed by staff. As soon as we walked thru the door, I noticed the beautiful Christmas Tree and modern decor. My daughter noticed the fresh green apples in the lobby, which were available for all guests to enjoy. The Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown also has comfy nooks and sitting areas for guests to unwind , enjoy 24/7 dining or get some work done in the business center.


    • COMFORTABLE ROOMS

    The Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown makes great use of a small space by having a sofa that converts into a bed and a partition that gives partial privacy. The layout made it feel spacious during our two night stay. The room included a microwave, mini fridge and also a personal coffee maker in our suite. We all thought the bed and pillows were quite comfortable and we were satisfied with the cleanliness of the room.

    What makes a hotel stay comfortable? Is it cozy bedding, a room that offers peace and quiet for a good night’s sleep, or the quality of in room amenities? I need all of the above and the Hyatt Place brand offers just that! Overall, we had a nice stay. Which for me meant I was able to rest, enjoy a hot breakfast in the morning, and service with a smile. Every single person here greeted my family and I with a genuine smile and inquired how our stay was going. While this may seen minor to some, it is major in my book. This is a way to show thanks and respect for my business. Next time you are in Downtown Atlanta for pleasure or business, consider staying at Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown.


    HYATT PLACE ATLANTA/DOWNTOWN
    330 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30308
    Tel: +1 404 577 1980 | Fax: +1 404 688 3706

    #FamilyTravel – Plan to Visit DC? Here’s Where To Stay @EmbassySuites Old Town, Alexandria VA

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    For Labor Day Weekend my #HeighPartyof3 decided to make a last minute trip to the DMV [which I just shared with a Texas native that it stands for DC, MD, VA in case you did not know]. We have family and friends in this area but needed to decide where to stay for this long holiday weekend. Hmmm…Baltimore, DC proper or Northern VA? For this trip Northern VA would win out. Specifically Alexandria, Virgina at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria.

    Alexandria, VA is a charming town known for its history, tree lined streets, restaurants and a bit of a small town feel in the middle of a booming cosmopolitan metro area. It is also just six miles from DC making it the perfect place to stay when you want to have a fun, family getaway near our nation’s capital.

    Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria hosted us for one night of our trip this weekend which gave us an opportunity to explore a city we never been to before. Located near the old town section of Alexandria, this hotel is large but never feels overwhelming. Across the street from the King Street Metro station makes this property even more attractive to visitors who have easy access the to District and beyond. Embassy Suites brand is famous for it’s spacious 2 full room suites, it’s cooked to order breakfast and complimentary happy hour.

    This hotel property does not disappoint in any of these areas. Newly renovated suites have plenty of room for couples and families alike. Our little one loves having a comfy sofa bed {and flat screen tv} all to herself as we wind down after a day of hitting those Alexandria and DC streets! Hubby and I love getting a handmade cocktail and snacks at the bar everyday during our stay between 5:30-7:30pm.

    Each morning the first decision we had to make was cooked to order omelette or hand poured pancakes? Nothing better during a hotel stay than knowing breakfast is just waiting for you downstairs.

    After breakfast, visitors can choose to spend their day enjoying the local area nearby or taking a short drive or metro ride into DC. So many places are within walking distance from the hotel. Whole Foods and Starbucks are nearby, dozens of restaurants and shopping choices await. You can even catch the free trolley across the street to drop you off at many of the wonderful destinations in Alexandria. Here is a look at our favorite features of this hotel that I shared in Instagram:

    So the next time you are making plans to visit Washington, DC consider staying at Embassy Suites Old Town in Alexandria, VA and enjoy a 2-4-1 destination during your next trip!

    EMBASSY SUITES

    1900 DIAGONAL ROAD

    ALEXANDRIA,VA 22314