Residence Inn: Take a Real Vacation this Summer

I can’t be the only one who says this: My husband and I used to travel a lot before we had kids. We’d go on vacations and we would never have a problem with spending the night with a friend or relative if we knew someone in the area we were traveling to. Of course, it was awesome to have a friend with a guest bedroom, but we’d crash on couches or an air mattress on the floor, too!

Now that we have kids, I can’t imagine sleeping on a couch and having to figure out where to put my kids to ensure all of us will have a good night’s sleep. I even have a hard time thinking about my husband, two kids and I all sleeping in the same bedroom! How could we possibly get through the night without having two wide-awake kids and two sleepy parents (not to mention waking up the hosts)?  We’ve only visited family with very accommodating spaces since we’ve had Piper, but I think both James and I have resolved to stay in a hotel if we’re going out of town from now on.

If we stay in a hotel, we’re going to have to be choosy about where we’ll stay, or else we’ll end up in that same two-restless-kids-two-tired-adults situation. That’s why I was so excited to hear about the Residence Inn by Marriott. These hotel rooms were originally intended to feel apartment-like for business travelers, but Residence Inn has recently stepped up to appeal to families. Their newly renovated suites (yes, SUITES) are designed to meet the needs of families on the road. They have more than 600 locations across the US and Canada, and their accommodations feature free hot breakfast daily, free Internet access, and some even have a door that separates the bedrooms from the living area. Can I get a great big “yay!” from parents of small children? In addition, each suite has a full kitchen with microwave, stove or cooktop, dishwasher, dining table with stools and a countertop for easy dining. Most Residence Inn properties also have a pool and outdoor recreational spaces for kids move and burn off some of that never-ending energy. With all these features, plus incredibly spacious rooms, modern bathrooms and a cozy living area (with pull-out couches), Residence Inn by Marriott is really delivering on making your vacation a “home away from home.”

If you’re planning on traveling with little ones this summer, you should see if a Residence Inn is available near your destination!

FTC Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Residence Inn by Marriott and received a chance to win a weekend stay at a Residence Inn to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.