Sunday, July 11, 2010

"Staycation"

You hear a lot about this whole "staycation" concept lately with most people in the US having some financial issues right now. Our staycation didn't actually come from a financial standpoint, but rather a birthday. My Dad emailed the whole family a few months ago and said that for his birthday he would love to have everyone go to an Embassy Suites about 45 minutes away from where we live and spend the night. He wanted to enjoy the hotel pool with all his grandkids and then have a big dinner and then go to a nearby museum the next day. I was initially a little annoyed that I was going to have to shell out almost $200 to celebrate my Dad's birthday but of course agreed to make it happen.

I will officially admit that I was wring to be annoyed. This was a great idea and definitely worth the $200 or so it cost me. We got here late yesterday (The Boy had his first soccer lesson that I didn't want him to miss) and checked into the hotel right as all the other kids were done in the pool and heading up for a rest (perfect...I didn't really want to deal with both kids in the pool etc, plus The Boy had already had his swim lesson that morning). So we unpacked and enjoyed the room. It was a two room suite with a little living room with a pull out couch, kitchenette and a flat screen TV and then the other room had a king size bed, the bathroom another TV and a big closet etc. Perfect for a little family.

And did you know that the Embassy Suites provides free drinks and food from 5:30 to 7:30pm? Like REAL drinks too, although I just had some wine, my brother and brother in law were drinking vodka tonics and rum and cokes. Fabulous. Then we went and had a big yummy dinner where we had a fabulous waiter who had 4 kids of his own and definitely knew how to serve kids. He was awesome and we gave him a huge tip. Then everyone went for a walk along the bay while I went upstairs and put The Girl to sleep in her pack n play. Then The Boy and I watched some TV on his pull out couch and I stayed there with him until he fell asleep. Both kids slept great and The Girl woke up at 7:00 and promptly woke her brother up by yelling.

We had a complimentary breakfast (and not just nasty rolls and stuff; this was made to order omelets, pancakes and French toast, fresh fruit and bagels and all sorts of stuff). After breakfast I went upstairs for The Girl to nap and The Boy finally got to play in the pool with his cousins. He is currently doing that and once he gets back we are going to head out to a museum and then hit a big toy store on our way home.

It really was a great night away. My kids had a great time with their cousins, there was no real "travel" involved and the entire weekend only cost $165. All in all it was a fabulous "staycation" and I recommend everyone to do it!!

PS--Please excuse the lack of linking to the hotel and stuff, I am posting this from my phone. So if there are any type o's, I apologize.


-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Stevens Creek Blvd,San Jose,United States

2 comments:

Laraf123 said...

Embassy Suites? I'm going to have to remember that. I'm all about vacation on a tight budget--any change of scenery helps ease the stress of the daily grind. Glad your family had a good time!

Two Moms, Two Monkeys said...

That sounds like a great staycation! Glad you all enjoyed yourselves and got to get away for a bit.