Sometimes I think my children get more excited about staying in a hotel than the actual vacation! When I told our kids we’d be heading to San Diego for a mini vacay, they asked all kinds of questions about the hotel we’d be staying at.
How many beds will be inside the room? Does the hotel have a pool? Can we eat at the restaurant?
We’ve been to San Diego more times than I can count, yet we never tire of coastal metropolitan city that sits just an hour from our home. A couple of weeks ago, we spent a relaxing weekend at the Embassy Suites in La Jolla, California. San Diego is our go-to city for staycations because it’s close enough to arrive the same day, yet far enough removed from our own city to create excitement with it’s diverse food and attractions.
When it was just the two of us, we weren’t as choosy about our accommodations. I can tell you many a story about the hostels, bed and breakfasts, and other places we laid our heads when we backpacked through Europe. Once we had children, our perspective changed, and we found that things like having a refrigerator in the room and the ability to request a portable crib took priority.
A couple of years ago, the four of us and our extended family booked a few rooms at an Embassy Suites for a family vacation. I remember we specifically booked the all-suite hotel for it’s spacious accommodations, free cooked-to-order breakfast, and central location.
A family-friendly hotel is a must with small children but we don’t want to sacrifice luxury for kid-friendly features. From the moment we walked into the Embassy Suites, I felt like I was in an upscale hotel with it’s spacious, inviting atrium and attentive front desk service.This particular hotel’s atrium features koi ponds and lush greenery and provides a comfortable place for families to enjoy breakfast. The glass elevators offer sweeping views of the atrium.
Each evening, between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, the hotel offers a Manager’s reception with complimentary alcohol (beer/wine/cocktails), soda, juice, and light snacks. Because our children were anxious to get into the pool, we missed this reception. However, I think it’s a wonderful way to welcome guests and get them comfortable in the hotel.
I had forgotten how spacious the rooms were and almost immediately, my children began claiming their “room” (aka the living room). Everything a family could possibly need is located inside the two-room suites including a full-sized, pull-out sofa bed, wet bar, microwave, refrigerator (for storing food), coffee maker with tea and coffee, an LCD TV, an MP3 player clock radio, iron/ironing board, hair dryer, and the option to request a crib. The amount of space is important to us for a number of reasons. Traditionally, we over-pack when we take the kids on vacation since our philosophy is to be prepared for anything. Additionally, the extra space allows our children the opportunity to move around and play without the four of us feeling cramped.
Having two rooms meant that our children were able to sleep apart from us, an occurrence that rarely happens when we’re on vacation. Not only do our children get a full night of uninterrupted sleep, we don’t have to go to bed at 8 pm and can opt to stay up to watch a movie. All 340 suites have been redesigned and feature granite counter-tops and modern furnishings.
After a comfortable night of sleep, we headed down to the atrium for breakfast. Embassy Suites is noteworthy for offering guests complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast which includes pancakes, eggs and omelets, an assortment of meats (bacon, sausage), home-fried potatoes, yogurt, fruit, and hot/cold beverages. Breakfast was delicious and I appreciated the fact that I could customize my order AND receive a fresh meal.
After breakfast and a short rest, we headed to the indoor pool. Additionally, the hotel offers an outdoor area adjacent to and accessible from the indoor pool where guests can lounge and bask in the sun or unwind in the outdoor hot tub. The pool was definitely my kids’ favorite part of the hotel although I am convinced they could have been quite content to stay in the room.
The hotel offers much in the away of amenities including a fitness center and an on-property restaurant. If you’d like a schedule of activities, just visit the concierge.
Overall we had a lovely, relaxing stay which brought us as a family together to reconnect.
To find an Embassy Suites location near you, just visit their website.
I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador Program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Embassy Suites Hotels and received a one-night complimentary stay at an Embassy Suites Hotel to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Photos: Rockin’ Mama
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
What a beautiful hotel! I really love the atrium, it’s gorgeous. Hubby would especially like the cooked-to-order breakfast!
Beautiful place and looks like you had a great time!
Looks like a great place to stay! I love La Jolla area, but never stayed here! I will check it out next time for sure!
What a really nice hotel! I love the indoor water feature. And what cuties sleeping on the pull out couch!
I have actually stayed in that Embassy Suites before and I agree it is fabulous! It looks like your family had a great time. Staycations are the best!
The pond in the lobby is INCREDIBLE! I’d love to stay there someday!
Looks like you had a fabulous time. I LOVE that water feature! When I was a kid my parents always took us for an Embassy Suites stay-cation when we had our long weekend off from school during the teacher convention each October. GREAT place for families!
What a gorgeous place! Thanks for the great review!