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
One lucky reader will win a voucher valid for any one-night stay at any Doubletree.
To enter – Please use the Rafflecopter form below to take advantage of your entry opportunities.
MANDATORY ENTRY MUST BE LEFT AS COMMENT ON BLOG POST BELOW– then you can check off in Rafflecopter that you did it. Otherwise, all other entries will be invalid. *** PLEASE be sure to read instructions in Rafflecopter form as to what to comment about.***
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.
Mai Bateson says
I love staying at hotels too! 😀 Glad your family had a good time in visiting Doubletree Orlando. Looking forward to stay there soon… Thanks for sharing!
OurFamilyWorld says
That is a gorgeous hotel! My son loves staying at hotels too. He can remember every one we ever stayed at!
Amber Edwards says
Wow, that place looks absolutely amazing! I would love to vacation there! I could definitely do with some sun, pool and deliciously warm cookies!
Mariah says
The hotel looks amazing! I love staying at DoubleTree properties because we always seem to get amazing service. Oh and we love the cookies too. 🙂
Nichol says
MMM a cookie welcome! This hotel looks wonderful and I love that K loves to stay in hotels and was ready to pack. I need a vacay so much right now.
Lauren says
Thank you for all the details. We just booked our trip for this coming weekend and chose to stay at the Doubletree at SeaWorld in part because of your awesome and informative review.
jen says
Oh yeay!!! Have a great time, and enjoy the cookies 🙂
Brittany says
Never been but always sounds fun!
Jessica says
Rafflecopter asked if I have ever been to a Lowe’s build it kids shop..no, but sounds like fun. Also, have never stayed at a Double Tree but would LOVE to check out the one at Sea World!
jen says
Thanks Jess – it has been one of those mornings! I fixed 🙂
Jessica says
It’s April Fools day, I figured it was a joke. 😉 Hope your morning goes smoother. Tough morning here too, first day back to school after 2 weeks (sickness and spring break).
jynn says
My family loves staying at Doubletree hotels! Last one we stayed at was at Reddington Beach!
Diana C says
I would pick somewhere in the Austin area. Or when we go back home.
Diana C
Steph says
I’ve never been there, but it sounds like a blast! Cookie welcome sounds amazing!
Jennifer says
We would love a staycay at the Double Tree. We are from Orlando as well and do not take advantage of the hotels, but I think it would be fun!
Rosalie says
“Stay cation” would be a great getaway especially with sea world around the corner!
Kurt Hoffmann says
I’d stay at the Wit in Chicago
Summer says
I would not mind staying at this one by Sea World. We have annual passes to Sea World and it would be a perfect staycation for us. I would also look in to find one at or near the beach 🙂
shannon Baas says
I would stay in Sioux Falls.
Retse says
Double Tree Cocoa Beach would be great!
Tamra H says
I’d like to stay at the Toronto DoubleTree!
McKim says
I would stay in South Bend, indiana
Liza Glick says
Anywhere warm!
latanya says
somewhere in jacksonville, FL
Katie Roch says
I’ll be in Chicago in May and would love to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago – Magnificent Mile
Margaret Smith says
I’d love to stay at the Lancaster Pa Location.
Thanks so much.
Susan H. says
I would go to Savannah, GA. Thanks.
Ann Fantom says
I would like to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC
Elena says
I would stay at the Double Tree in San Diego
Sarah VM says
I would stay at the Boston, MA Doubletree.
ashley says
I think I would pick nyc or philly!
Stephanie V. says
doubletree – berkeley marina, CA
ky2here says
Here’s mine: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Key Resort – Key West
ky2here at msn dot com
suzanne says
My GRANDCHILDREN love to visit Orlando!!!! They really enjoy staying in hotels and vacation rentals.
It has been almost 10 years since I have stayed in a Double Tree hotel. The last 6 years have been filled
with lots of health issues. I have had heart surgery 3 times and had kidney cancer. To win a trip to Orlando
and get to stay in a Double Tree Hotel would be such a blessing for my family. Thanks for the chance to
win.
God Bless you,
Suzanne G
LeeAnn says
I would probably stay at the DoubleTree on North Redington Beach. I was just telling a friend today how I need to plan a beach weekend!
Liza @ Views From the 'Ville says
Probably the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cincinnati Airport so we can take a day trip to the Aquarium!
Kat says
I would stay at the DoubleTree Orlando — looks good to me!
April Brenay says
I know there is a double tree in Seattle!
Kelly Commerford says
Orlando, Panama City Beach, New Orleans, so many places!
Sherry @ Family, Love & Other Stuff says
I would choose either the DoubleTree Sea World or LBV. Thanks for the great review! Can’t wait to check it out.
Nicole Newby says
We don’t have the money to travel far, so if I could find a Doubletree in the metro Detroit area, or somewhere southeast Michigan. A night away from my 7 month old sounds nice!
J Baker says
There’s a nice DoubleTree in Chicago that we’d stay at!
keely hostetter says
probably local in pa, like lewisburg or bloomsburg
Lisa P. says
I would stay at the Doubletree New Orleans for a getaway close to home
carol says
would most likely stay at one in Florida when I go on my next cruise from there
katryna jacober says
Any double tree would be great.
Paula V says
I’m not sure…maybe the Indianapolis area….I’d need to plan a weekend trip and then find a nearby Doubletree.
Crissy D. says
I would stay in Washington, DC
Karen says
We would pick one in Va so that we could visit family.
holly says
we would pick one in galveston 🙂
Kate F. says
I would stay at the DoubleTree in Salt Lake City.
Leanna says
Doubletree Hotel Oak Ridge in Knoxville!
Holly C. says
I would stay at Double Tree in Spokane WA.
ron says
hotel burlington in vt
Lennette Daniels says
I would stay at either the Doubletree in downtown Boston or at Back Bay.
tricia dunkle says
Chicago!
Denise S says
I’d stay in Double Tree in Denver.
Karen Gonyea says
Somewhere scenic…maybe in Vermont or Maine 🙂
Ben M says
thanks for the contest, http://www.facebook.com/stuff2win
Laura V. says
I’d probably stay at this Doubletree on our next trip to Orlando! It looks so awesome!
Julius Bufkin says
I’d stay at Doubletree on are trip to Orland.
Linda Lansford says
I would stay in Miami
ELIZABETH C. says
I often take trips to Lancaster, PA. I would stay there.
Gennie Lancaster says
I would probably take a trip to Phoenix!
Tabathia B says
Either D.C. or Baltimore
Jay P says
I would stay in New York City
Marcia Goss says
I would go to Cocoa Beach FL.
Lindsey M says
I’d like to stay at the Doubletree Sonoma Wine Country
danielle lima says
Boston
tin cruz says
Double Tree @ Chicago
alcee clayborne says
I would stay in san diego my favorite city
tina reynolds says
minneapolis thanks for the chance to win
Nancy says
I would probably stay at the one in Virginia Beach.
Daraya says
I would love to stay at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Central Pacific -Costa Rica!
Donna L says
I would like to go to San Francisco, California.
D Schmidt says
I would stay DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland, ME
Susan F says
Carmel, Indiana
Claire says
I’d stay in Anaheim for Disneyland!
Anne says
I think we’d stay in Portland, Maine.
Jennifer Lockwood-Hooks says
I would stay In Houston or San Antonio.
Alfred Reyes says
San Diego or Monterey Bay… can’t decide.
renee walters says
I’d stay in Double Tree in V entura on the beach!
Gianna says
South Dakota.
Sallee Glickler aka Sorcha Griannon says
I would actually go visit my in-laws in Surprise, AZ…it’s always hard to stay there since there isn’t any room
Jacob says
I would stay in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque – it looks so nice and I love Albuquerque
Mary Casper says
i would stay iin nashville
steven lewis says
Got one in Hawaii? probably Orlando.
patricia gambrell says
i would stay at the one in tampa, we are going to be visiting family this summer and it would be nice to stay at a hotel instead of family
Mary says
Chicago or Orlando! Love Doubletree!
Mary says
Chicago or Orlando would be fantastic!
Melanie Montgomery says
I’d stay at the one in downtown memphis
Mary Happymommy says
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC
Tania Edwards says
We’re driving up to Maine this Summer to see my nephew who hiked the Appalachian trail and has made Maine his home now….we miss him!! We would stay somewhere off of rte 95 on our way there maybe Boston?
Elizabeth M says
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City
Mary Calabrese says
We’d stay at the DoubleTree by the John Wayne Airport in CA.
s riches says
I would stay at the Doubletree in Nashville.
Nancy Sloan says
I would stay in Orlando FL
Katie K says
San Diego.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Cody says
Somewhere in the Twin Cities
Erica C. says
I’d stay in Ocean City, MD.
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
On the way to my moms from Ohio to Alabama
vmkids3 at msn dot com
PAIGE CHANDLER says
I’d stay in Tulsa Oklahoma
Sarah says
I’d stop in Winston-Salem, NC on my way to the beach.
JIM LYNAM says
Definately ORLANDO
Becca May says
I am going to the beach next month and since we will be traveling with a large group, we would like to stop in Atlanta and stay the night! It would be great to have a room already paid for!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kari Flores says
Myrtle Beach, SC
Jill H says
Doubletree in San Diego
Kelly D says
I would like to stay at the Doubletree in Center City Philadelphia
Lynda E says
We have a very beautiful and historic hotel in Roanoke, Va which is now owned by Doubletree and I’ve always wanted to spend the night there
MaryR says
Some where in one of the northeast coast states like New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island.
Jill L says
Would love to stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC
Renae Cruz says
I would stay in Houston, TX.
Janna Johnson says
doubletree columbus,oh
Thanks! Janna JOhnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on gfc
robyn paris says
I would like to go to alabama
ally marie says
i would stay in PA and visit my roomate
Carolyn G says
I would stay at the Doubletree North Druid Hills Atlanta
Marilyn says
the one in ATL or in IN
Scarlett Graham says
I would stay in Atlanta or Nashville.
Victoria Carlson says
I would stay at the Doubletree in Minneapolis
Susan Smith says
Doubletree in Omaha
shanta spradlin says
Somewhere in Myrtle Beach
David Carlson says
I would stay at the DoubleTree in Minneapolis/St. Paul
harolde says
DoubleTree in New Orleans.
Lisa Duffy says
The double tree in anaheim I think.
Storm, the Psychotic Housewife says
We’d use it for the one in downtown San Antonio!
Gina Ferrell says
I would stay at the DoubleTree Hotel in New Orleans.
caitlin tate says
disney world
Tara says
Doubletree in San Diego. Even though we live in SD, I would love to use it as a night away with my hubby 🙂
marie says
portland- thank u!
nicole w says
Doubletree on Hotel Circle, in San Diego! I stayed there once, years ago, and have always wanted to stay again.
GAndolina says
I’d finally have more time in Portland.
dani marie says
probably san diego!
Christina Pohlman says
We’d probably let the kids decide
joseph gersch jr says
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC
runinboise says
prolly portland or seattle.
Stephanie Larison says
Houston for sure, have family there!
Tara O. says
I would go to Colorado.
Jennifer Reed says
I would stay at a Doubletree in Denver.
Ann Council says
Myrtle Beach, SC
Kelly L says
Chicago – Miracle Mile. Thanks!
Shelley Mitchell says
Florida!!!
Sandy V. says
Would like to stay around Portland Oregon.
amy deeter says
in pittsburgh pa
timmy deeter says
in erie pa
Allison says
Virginia Beach
dave says
boston.
Heidi says
Our family is taking a roadtrip to California this summer so I would use it along the way!
Lauren Eggers says
Doubletree downtown Boston
Toni Marie Caravello says
I would love to take a trip to Cape Cod. I have never been and it’s a quick weekend trip. I might stay at the
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cape Cod – Hyannis
reannenny@aol.com
Mary J says
Nashville, Tn.
Mary J says
Nashville, Tn.
Derek Timm says
Chicago, IL
Earle I says
I would most likely use it at the Doubletree Lake Buena Vista by Disney.
Shane R. says
I’d go to Long Beach, CA. the Doubletree there looks awesome
Liz says
We’d use it at the DoubleTree Hotel Circle in San Diego to take the kids to SeaWorld!
Vikki Billings says
I would go to Alabama to visit my fiance’s family
Nicole Larsen says
I’d stay in Seattle
laura ari says
Probably in Philadephia, PA
MARIE says
WILLOW STREET, PA
Vicki D. says
I would stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Rochester, Minnesota. I would visit my niece, who is expecting twins.
Angela W says
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bethesda – Washington DC
susan smoaks says
if i won we would stay in atlanta, ga
Lauren Harmon says
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! 🙂
Wendi S says
I would stay at Inner Harbor, Md
Mel B says
I would stay in phila area!
Carolyn Daley says
I would stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown
Sand says
I would stay in Phoenix probably.
Michelle Wood says
We’d stay in Chicago.
Grace Inman says
Charleston, SC! That is where my husband and I got married!
T.h.Ransom says
I would like to stay at the DoubleTree Beach Resort by Hilton Hotel Tampa Bay – North Redington Beach
heather c says
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!
Jacquelyn Cannon says
I would go to Philadelphia, PA to visit my daughter and grandsons.