Residence Inn National Harbor

From the moment we arrived at the Residence Inn National Harbor we felt like we were home. The front desk staff greeted us with a smile and were eager to help us, explaining where to park and were to visit on our stay at the National Harbor.  The kids received activity books during check in which is perfect to keep them busy while parents unpack and organize the room.

The Room

We had a 1 bedroom suite which was roomy enough for a family of 4.  My husband and I had a king size extremely comfortable bed and the kids shared a sleeper couch, which they said was comfortable.  I loved that we had a full size refrigerator, 2 burner stove, and microwave in the room   We could store our leftovers and heat items up when the kids were hungry.  We also had wonderful view of the Potomac River from our room.

Breakfast

Each morning complimentary breakfast was served in a room off of the lobby.  This is great for families.  You save money and don't have to worry about finding a place to eat every morning while away.  The kids loved the make your own waffle station and the assortment of toppings available. The staff was helpful, making sure each guest had everything that they need during their stay.  I enjoyed the fact that coffee and hot water for tea/ hot chocolate were always available to make in the lobby throughout the day.

Staff

I could go on and on about how wonderful the staff was at the Residence Inn National Harbor.  They always greeted us with a smile.  They would share ideas on what we should do in the area, they even shared their favorite pizza shop when we were craving pizza one night.

Pool/ Fitness Room

The pool was nice and the kids had fun.. They have an indoor pool that is open from 5 pm to 10 pm. The hotel also has a fitness room with a treadmill and other equipment.  What I found super convenient was free ear buds to use while working out.

Overall

The Residence Inn National Harbor is a great value for families traveling to the National Harbor area. You don't have to go out to eat every meal, you can cook in.  It's even great to cook in snacks or leftovers. They even have a grill to cook meals on in their patio area and a fire pit to sit outside and relax after a day of sight seeing.    The hotel is close to all the activities in the area and easy to get to.

Sunday, May 13th

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

                        237 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

Recently I had the opportunity to spend a few days at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton™ in Lancaster, PA.  If you are familiar with the area, the DoubleTree Resort was formerly the "Atrium Building" of Willow Valley Resort. This 185-room resort is very family friendly, but it's also perfect for a weekend get away without the kids.

I have always been a big fan of DoubleTree resorts and have stayed in a few of their hotels over the years. The chocolate chip cookie that you receive when you check in almost saved my life once, after a bad experience at another hotel chain and a late night hotel change in Florida. It's amazing what a cookie can do to welcome you and lift your spirits. This was a also a huge hit with my kids! The hotel is about a 10-15 minute drive to the Strasburg Rail Road, Choo Choo Barn and other Lancaster attractions.

Check In: It was easy to check in and we were warmly greeted by the staff.  They offered us a room overlooking the atrium but warned us that their would be a wedding there until 10pm and we might hear some of the noise.  I loved the fact that they gave us the option to switch rooms, but I knew my kids would love to watch a wedding from their room.

Room:  Our room was larger than most and nicely decorated with plenty of towels available and a small refrigerator   They had a desk in the room, which is perfect for a business traveler.  They had a chair and ottoman in case you wanted to relax and watch some TV. I also loved the free wireless Internet that allowed me to get some work done while the kids were sleeping.

Pool:  For kids, this is the highlight of the hotel. The hotel has 2 indoor pools which are perfect for families with kids. The indoor water playground, which is basically one large pool with a large enclosed slide, some water spray attractions and a small slide for young ones, will keep the kids entrained for hours. It beats the basic hotel with a pool but don't expect a large indoor water park. If you want to take a more relaxing swim there is also a large pool adjacent to the indoor water park.


Other Amenities:  

Two on-site restaurants

State-of-the-art fitness center
Victorian chapel
9-Hole Golf Course
Lighted tennis courts
Full-size basketball court
Duck Pond
Free bus tour
Horse-drawn wagon rides



We really enjoyed our experience at the DoubleTree hotel in Lancaster and I would recommend it to families with children because it is close to all the area attractions and of course you can spend the day at the water playground.

Watch our video to see all the Lancaster DoubleTree hotel has to offer before you go!