Do all kids love hotels as much as my daughter?
I am not sure, but K LOVES hotels. When I announced that we were headed to a hotel for the night, she didn’t pause for a moment. She leaped out of her seat, ran to her closet and pulled out her suitcase. She was ready to pack up and go before she even heard where we were going. Apparently we all needed to get away.
Living in Orlando, there is never a shortage of things to do although we don’t always take advantage of everything around us. So we decided to have a little staycay, act like tourists and enjoy some of the local fun. After all, people come from all over the world to vacation here.
For our mini staycay we choose the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. Located on International Drive (I-Drive to us locals), it is centrally located for the theme parks and our weekend plans.
K’s love for staying in a hotel was sent over the top when I emerged from check in with a special Doubletree treat. The warm cookie welcome (before dinner) was one of the highlights of her weekend. Yum… have you ever had a DoubleTree cookie? They are soooo good. And served fresh from a warming drawer under the front desk, genius!
Besides the cookies, which really are delish, the most impressive thing to be about this Doubletree are the grounds. Lush and tropical with a quaint feeling of old Florida smack in the middle of touristy Orlando, somebody got it right when they designed the landscaping, decor and water features for this hotel. It is very inviting. I nearly wanted to scrap our plans and take up residence poolside. If it had been warmer, I might have.
The hotel is a combination of old Florida-style, two-story buildings that surround the resort grounds and a sixteen-floor hotel tower in the middle. We stayed in the hotel tower and had a fantastic view of SeaWorld and Aquatica. That part was so tempting to K who immediately professed her desire to see the dolphins at SeaWorld. So if you plan to stay here with kids, you might want to plan a day at SeaWorld. You are so close, there is even a walkway from the Doubletree right to SeaWorld’s main gate.
Inside the room, K discovered her second favorite thing about staying at a Doubletree - Crabtree and Evelyn bath products in Citron Honey & Coriander.
“Mommy, I smell like lemons!!!”
For a kid who loves lemons, it was a big deal and earned her stamp of approval. After checking out the room, we were off to explore Downtown Disney (just one interstate exit west). Amazed by the crowds this time of year. We had dinner, a little shopping and enjoyed the evening. Then it was back to the hotel.
In the morning, we enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant, the Bamboo Grill. It was quick, convenient and yummy with something for everyone. If you ever have a chance to eat there, I highly recommend the breakfast potatoes. Everything was good, but they were especially notable.
As we left breakfast, look who we ran into in the courtyard! Oh my girls were thrilled.
Then it was time to say good-bye to the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. The last stop on our little trip was the Mall at Millienia (aka the fancy mall) for spring photos of the girls and a bit of shopping. Then back home to reality.
Before we left K had this to say, “Mommy, tell the people you work with this hotel is awesome.”
We had a great little stay, and recommend this resort to travelers and locals alike. Find a Doubletree for your next trip so you can enjoy a yummy cookie welcome and a refreshing Crabtree and Evelyn shower. It’s the little things, right?
Giveaway
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Contest ends April 4, 2013.
This post is brought to you by Doubletree by Hilton and The Motherhood, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I would go to Alabama to visit my fiance’s family
I’d stay in Seattle
Probably in Philadephia, PA
WILLOW STREET, PA
I would stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Rochester, Minnesota. I would visit my niece, who is expecting twins.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bethesda – Washington DC
if i won we would stay in atlanta, ga
I would love to stay at the exact same location as you! I live in the Tampa area and love taking short trips to Orlando… The hotel looks nice and it looks like you had a blast! Thanks for sharing!
I would stay at Inner Harbor, Md
I would stay in phila area!
I would stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown
I would stay in Phoenix probably.
We’d stay in Chicago.
Charleston, SC! That is where my husband and I got married!
I would like to stay at the DoubleTree Beach Resort by Hilton Hotel Tampa Bay – North Redington Beach
We’re driving across the country this year, so any Doubletree on the way there would be appreciated…’cuz I’ll need a cookie at some point along the way. For sure!
I would go to Philadelphia, PA to visit my daughter and grandsons.