Living in New Orleans definitely has it’s perks. Enjoying a staycation in my hometown provides limitless options such as the zoo, aquarium, streetcar rides, museums, history tours and of course….the food. We will often make a day of walking in the French Quarter and enjoying the sights and sounds of downtown, but we rarely take the opportunity to spend the night. However, it has been so incredibly hot this summer, my kids have been begging to go swimming to escape the heat. Because I am part of the Embassy Suites Ambassador program, we decided to check out all they have to offer (and especially the pool).
We arrived at 3pm, check-in time, at the Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center. In the heart of the Warehouse District, there are many options withing walking distance including the convention center and the cruise terminal. The lobby was full of buzz from a large group of teens arriving for a conference but the hotel staff was moving as quickly as possible to get everyone settled. Because of the large crowd, we decided to head to the room first before exploring the hotel. From my research, I knew that the Embassy was an all suite hotel including two room suites, microwave and mini-fridge. But, I had no idea what we were about to experience.
When we walked into our suite, affectionately named “Zulu” for one of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes, we were all speechless! Well, except for my 4 year old who started screaming and running around the room with excitement. Our suite included two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living and dining room and a private patio overlooking the City. My two daughters, ages 4 and 7, immediately claimed one of the bedrooms as their own and began to play like their had their own apartment. No kidding, this kept them busy for at least an hour!
In the meantime, my husband and I couldn’t resist laying down on the bed. It was so inviting and cozy! The suite also had two sets of French Doors which opened onto the balcony, so we took the liberty of enjoying the spectacular view.
After an hour of rest and relaxation, we set out to explore the rest of the hotel. The lobby and dining area is just stunning! The walls are painted to mimic the streets of New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day which even included mannequins standing on faux balconies. The massive circular window in the lobby brought the outside in with tons of natural light. Of course, it took about 2 minutes for my daughters to spot the outdoor pool and begin to beg. The pool is located on the ground floor and is a fairly nice size. With the teen group at the hotel, we had to wait a bit in order to take advantage of the pool, but the girls enjoyed it when it was our turn. The pool area also included a hot tub and towels for guests which was much appreciated.
After a nice swim, we went back to the room to dress for dinner. We chose Mulate’s which is a Cajun restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. The meal was delicious and the live entertainment was a ton of fun. The girls even learned to Cajun Dance with their Dad! After a full day and a full belly, we walked back to the hotel to enjoy some quality time together. The living room in our suite was perfect for board games and puzzles. After the kids were in bed, we headed to our balcony to enjoy the summer breeze.
The next morning, we couldn’t wait to enjoy the complimentary cooked to order breakfast provided by the Embassy. This was unlike any other hotel breakfast I have ever enjoyed. Biscuits, bacon, eggs, potatoes, fresh fruit, pastries, bagels, juice, coffee and tea only scratch the surface of the offering. The provided breakfast certainly helped us get “more” out of our day because we didn’t have to find a restaurant and endure a long Sunday Morning line.
We reluctantly checked out at 11am, but spent the day exploring our City before heading home. Our experience at the Embassy Suites was above and beyond our expectations. The room was beautiful, the hotel was immaculate, and the staff was friendly. What more could you ask for?
Do you want to win an Embassy Suites stay of your very own? To enter, head over to the Embassy Suites Facebook page through July 20th and upload a photo of your family’s vacation face along with tips on how you get “more” out of your vacation.
Looks like loads of fun was had by all. ps those grits look delicious!
great vacation, how did you get part of the ambassador program?
Maria: It was a program though Mom Central.