Affordable "suite" hotel chains with separate sleeping/sitting rooms
May 17th, 2009, 10:47 PM
#21
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Clifton, sorry nothing really helpful to add here that hasn't already been said but I just wanted to jump in very late to congratulate you on becoming a dad! Somehow I missed your post before but I was able to find it and peek at those adorable photos. I'm glad to hear all is going well and that you are ready to try a trip. What a lovely family you have. I hope you have a good trip!
May 18th, 2009, 04:16 AM
#22
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Summerfield Suites may suit your needs.
They're now part of the Hyatt chain (used to be Wyndham). They are aren't all over, so you have to go their website and check, but even if it doesn't work out for this trip, it might be something you'd be interested in for the future.
They not only have a separate BR w/a door, but a full-size kitchen. They also have a free early evening cocktail hour during the week (which isn't so good) and free breakfast every morning (better). They're probably in the same price range as Embassy Suites, but if you sign up w/Hyatt they often have specials you can take advantage of.
They're now part of the Hyatt chain (used to be Wyndham). They are aren't all over, so you have to go their website and check, but even if it doesn't work out for this trip, it might be something you'd be interested in for the future.
They not only have a separate BR w/a door, but a full-size kitchen. They also have a free early evening cocktail hour during the week (which isn't so good) and free breakfast every morning (better). They're probably in the same price range as Embassy Suites, but if you sign up w/Hyatt they often have specials you can take advantage of.
May 18th, 2009, 08:18 AM
#23
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Clifton: firstly - Congratulations! It's a fine thing being a new Father! 
On the Priceline thing: yes, it can be daunting but it saves a whole lot of money, which is why it's worthwhile to learn the system. It took me several months of hesitancy and starts and stops to begin using Priceline. Now I'm hooked. I've been able to get $300+ hotels in New York for slightly over $100, so the savings can be enormous.
However, in your case, you really don't need to do Priceline since there seem to be any number of good hotels at reasonable rates in Nashville. If, one day you do want to use Priceline, come back and ask here on Fodors. It's where I learnt to use Priceline.
For Nashville, I've done some checking on both Tripadvisor and on the Country Inn and Suites site. It looks like the Country Suites at Opryland does have units that have a separate bedroom with a door. The Nashville-South (Antioch) one also seems to have separate bedroom units. Take a look at the hotel photos and the virtual tour for the Antioch location.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=...sub-search.y=7
Their rates seem very reasonable, with only one location going over $100. However, my dates were just conjecture. You'll have to input the exact dates to get an accurate rate. If you are a AAA member, there can also be AAA discounts.
http://www.countryinns.com/home/rese...yRateSearch.do
Also call the particular hotel and just ask if they have rooms with a separation door for the bedroom.
Good luck! And congratulations again!
On the Priceline thing: yes, it can be daunting but it saves a whole lot of money, which is why it's worthwhile to learn the system. It took me several months of hesitancy and starts and stops to begin using Priceline. Now I'm hooked. I've been able to get $300+ hotels in New York for slightly over $100, so the savings can be enormous.
However, in your case, you really don't need to do Priceline since there seem to be any number of good hotels at reasonable rates in Nashville. If, one day you do want to use Priceline, come back and ask here on Fodors. It's where I learnt to use Priceline.
For Nashville, I've done some checking on both Tripadvisor and on the Country Inn and Suites site. It looks like the Country Suites at Opryland does have units that have a separate bedroom with a door. The Nashville-South (Antioch) one also seems to have separate bedroom units. Take a look at the hotel photos and the virtual tour for the Antioch location.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=...sub-search.y=7
Their rates seem very reasonable, with only one location going over $100. However, my dates were just conjecture. You'll have to input the exact dates to get an accurate rate. If you are a AAA member, there can also be AAA discounts.
http://www.countryinns.com/home/rese...yRateSearch.do
Also call the particular hotel and just ask if they have rooms with a separation door for the bedroom.
Good luck! And congratulations again!
May 18th, 2009, 09:19 AM
#24
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Clifton, you're right that the bathroom is an odd thing... I just wanted to encourage you to be creative if faced with a 'basic' hotel room. Take the chairs and put them behind the pack and play and stretch a blanket across so at least there is a visual barrier.
However, one of the rites of passage of being a parent is sitting in the bathroom reading while children fall asleep in a hotel room. if the tub is clean, a pillow makes it more comfortable. lol.
welcome to our world!
However, one of the rites of passage of being a parent is sitting in the bathroom reading while children fall asleep in a hotel room. if the tub is clean, a pillow makes it more comfortable. lol.
welcome to our world!
May 18th, 2009, 09:45 AM
#25
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If you want to read in a hotel room without turning on the room lights, invest in a miner's light, otherwise called a "headlamp". You can get those at sporting goods stores.
http://www.rei.com/search?query=head...x=0&button.y=0
For the price of a few batteries you can get hundreds of hours of light. Make sure the beam is bright enough for reading, probably should run at least $25 up.
http://www.rei.com/search?query=head...x=0&button.y=0
For the price of a few batteries you can get hundreds of hours of light. Make sure the beam is bright enough for reading, probably should run at least $25 up.
May 18th, 2009, 05:33 PM
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Another idea: you could get a room with a balcony. (Don't worry. I'm not going to tell you to put the baby out on the balcony!) You can put the baby to sleep in the room and then you and your significant other can hang out on the patio/balcony until you're ready to go to bed.
We've done some travelling with our little kiddo, and it can be challenging at times, but it is so worth it!!! Have fun!
We've done some travelling with our little kiddo, and it can be challenging at times, but it is so worth it!!! Have fun!
May 19th, 2009, 03:14 PM
#29
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You know, those are some good ideas for working out regular rooms if we need to. We're kind of leaning towards Candlewood, just sort of a combination of things, I think. like location and price and room layout. Haven't booked yet though until we settle arrangements but we're almost now thinking of driving up with a very early start and just saving the cost of a night. That would help!
And thanks for the nice thoughts about the family situation too!
And thanks for the nice thoughts about the family situation too!
Jun 14th, 2009, 09:49 AM
#30
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Just wanted to post a quick followup for others. We chose the Hilton Suites in Brentwood. It does have a separate king bedroom with a door, as well as a very comfortable "living room", plus a desk, and a sort of bar area with microwave, sink and mini-fridge. More than adequate and quite nice for $127 per night incl tax.
Jun 14th, 2009, 06:22 PM
#31
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Clifton, I'm obviously way behind on reading this thread but just wanted to offer a few other suggestions for your future trips with your daugther (glad to hear the Hilton Suites worked out for you!). My husband and I have a 3 year old and we've only used suite-type places since we've started traveling with him. It helps so much!
We love Hampton Inns and Suites (stayed at one in Memphis and Shreveport)--just be sure to request a king suite. The bedroom and living area are completely separate. Crown Plaza Suites is one we recently used in Dallas. We were happy with them--again, separate bedroom. We've also used Homewood Suites in New Orleans with the same type of set-up. We've used a Country Inns and Suites in Georgia and it was nice as well.
What I do now is call the hotel's direct number after I find rates I like on the internet. I ask them if the rooms are separated by a real door or not and then make my decision based on that. Good luck on future travels with your little one!
We love Hampton Inns and Suites (stayed at one in Memphis and Shreveport)--just be sure to request a king suite. The bedroom and living area are completely separate. Crown Plaza Suites is one we recently used in Dallas. We were happy with them--again, separate bedroom. We've also used Homewood Suites in New Orleans with the same type of set-up. We've used a Country Inns and Suites in Georgia and it was nice as well.
What I do now is call the hotel's direct number after I find rates I like on the internet. I ask them if the rooms are separated by a real door or not and then make my decision based on that. Good luck on future travels with your little one!
Jun 15th, 2009, 11:15 AM
#32
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We prefer Homewood Suites first, Residence Inn second, and Embassy Suites third.
However, it often depends on where the suite is located. For instance, we like the Homewood Suite locations in Chicago and Scottsdale, but not in San Diego, and we like the Residence Inn location in Durango but not in Beverly Hills.
We feel suites are usually worth the extra money.
However, it often depends on where the suite is located. For instance, we like the Homewood Suite locations in Chicago and Scottsdale, but not in San Diego, and we like the Residence Inn location in Durango but not in Beverly Hills.
We feel suites are usually worth the extra money.
Jun 15th, 2009, 11:23 AM
#33
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Hi Clifton!
Jumping in late as well - but we have often stayed at all of the above mentioned properties. I echo Lee's suggestion of calling the hotel directly. It helps.
I also agree with the bathroom option.
Right now my granddaughter (20 months) is living with us. We have tight quarters for the 7 of us and I have a very large closet... I often put Granddaughter's pac'n play in my closet..dh laughs! But it is cool, quiet and dark... perfect for a tired baby...
Jumping in late as well - but we have often stayed at all of the above mentioned properties. I echo Lee's suggestion of calling the hotel directly. It helps.
I also agree with the bathroom option.
Right now my granddaughter (20 months) is living with us. We have tight quarters for the 7 of us and I have a very large closet... I often put Granddaughter's pac'n play in my closet..dh laughs! But it is cool, quiet and dark... perfect for a tired baby...
Jun 15th, 2009, 07:51 PM
#34
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Thanks for the followup everyone. As you've probably picked up by now, we've been and returned now, but I will keep these suggestions in mind for any next times that come up. We did think Hilton Suites turned out to be a pretty good deal, in the area we needed one.
Dawn, I was laughing, thinking of you stacking family in every nook and cranny. (I visualize opening the cabinets and having to apologize to someone for waking them)
Happytrailstoyou - I've had hit and miss with Homewood. Hard to tell with them, as apparently you have too. My recommendation: Steer clear of them in Denver!
Dawn, I was laughing, thinking of you stacking family in every nook and cranny. (I visualize opening the cabinets and having to apologize to someone for waking them)
Happytrailstoyou - I've had hit and miss with Homewood. Hard to tell with them, as apparently you have too. My recommendation: Steer clear of them in Denver!
Jun 15th, 2009, 07:59 PM
#36
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Clifton! LOL -- not exactly untrue ;-) - I did feel strange when the exterminator was here the other day to go up in the attic and the entrance was in my closet and I had to move the pac n play out... I thought to myself "oh my" what he must think? I keep my baby in the closet? It makes me think of "nobody puts Baby in the corner" from Dirty Dancining 
Jun 15th, 2009, 08:52 PM
#38
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Clifton, glad the Hilton Suites worked out for you. And that was a good price.
I LOVE Candlewood Suites. Not only is the bedroom "enclosed", but you get a comfortable couch and lounge chair and tv in your "living room", and a full kitchen, too. Fridge, stove, microwave, dishes, etc. Love it, love it, love it.
Best of all- all Candlewood Suites have two other things I love. A laundry room. Usually 4-6 washers and dryers. Clean, cheap, efficient when you're on the road. AND- a "grocery store"! That's right- a little convenience store (self-shopping on the honor system) that includes bread, cereal, milk, frozen dinners, etc.). You can buy stuff to fix your own meals, saves money, etc.
If you do any more traveling, I highly recommend Candlewood Suites!
Congrats on becoming a parent! It's all uphill from here! hahahah!
Paula
I LOVE Candlewood Suites. Not only is the bedroom "enclosed", but you get a comfortable couch and lounge chair and tv in your "living room", and a full kitchen, too. Fridge, stove, microwave, dishes, etc. Love it, love it, love it.
Best of all- all Candlewood Suites have two other things I love. A laundry room. Usually 4-6 washers and dryers. Clean, cheap, efficient when you're on the road. AND- a "grocery store"! That's right- a little convenience store (self-shopping on the honor system) that includes bread, cereal, milk, frozen dinners, etc.). You can buy stuff to fix your own meals, saves money, etc.
If you do any more traveling, I highly recommend Candlewood Suites!
Congrats on becoming a parent! It's all uphill from here! hahahah!
Paula
Jun 16th, 2009, 02:48 PM
#39
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Staybridge Suites is nice. They have a pretty good hot breakfast buffet included. Remember that most of these properties have studio rooms and suites. The Staybridge 1 bedroom suite was roomy, nicely furnished and had a kitchen area. We recently stayed at a Homewood Suites and it too was nice, had a free breakfast buffet (not as good as Staybridge) and had a complimentary evening reception with beer, wine, and appetizers.
Jun 18th, 2009, 05:22 PM
#40
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Uphill is right. Already losing my toehold! The laundry room sounds handy Sarge. I'll have to remember that - if we ever get out again. Not sure when we'll travel again (job ending stuff) but if so, I am going to check out all these great suggestions.
