So much since the last post

Inspired by the Embassy Suites deal I got for friends, and with my husband's birthday to celebrate, I did this: (as posted on Trip Advisor)



It was my husband's birthday and I chose the Embassy Suites/Crabtree "American Idol" package for $114 per night. Note: the lowest price available was $109, but I decided the chance to win a trip to Hollywood was worth the extra five bucks, plus two Diet Cokes were supposed to be included in the package. How exciting is that? :)

I am a Priceline gal. Most of our hotel deals are Priceline. I did try to get a deal, but no 4-star was biting. The next best deal to me, was Embassy Suites. If one properly utilizes the manager's reception and full-cooked-to-order breakfast, than this is a great deal, imho.

I kidnapped my husband for our retreat, and we checked in early afternoon. Check-in was friendly. They were out of diet cokes, but offered to send them up to our room. Up we went to our 6th floor suite. How wonderful to see that they have renovated the room since our last stay in 2007! It is a huge improvement. The furniture is much more contemporary looking. Bed is comfy.

Now here's the biggest thing we learned...Raleigh is really a GIRL. I don't know why, but I always assumed Raleigh (the bird in the lobby) was a boy. At check-in we learned "he" is really a "she". Now most of you could care less, and I understand, but Raleigh has been around since I can remember, and I've been talking to him (her) for so many years, and that's okay, but now I'll reconsider how I talk to her. We get a kick out of trying to talk to Raleigh (speak softly, and still be ignored...but walk by Raleigh without saying anything at all and you might be spoken to)...anyway...whatever you do, DON'T be an energetic kid. At breakfast, we watched Raleigh pretend to sleep whenever an active kid approached. Kid would leave, and Raleigh would suddenly be wide awake. I know, this is all really irrelevant to the hotel's amenities, yet, to me it's all part of the hotel's charm.
One of the best features of this hotel is still LOCATION. Directly across from Crabtree Valley Mall. Besides shopping, look for two incredibly happy hours across the street: McCormick & Schmicks and Brio, both have great happy hours that start before the manager's 5:30-7:30 reception at the hotel. Do enjoy the reception, as it includes beer, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks, chips & salsa. It is crowded. This is when you find out just how many people are staying in the hotel. How many kid's basketball teams.
Service was excellent, despite the huge crowds. We made sure to tip well for the great service.
Despite the full hotel, we found the night to be a quiet one. I don't know if we just got lucky, or if the design of the hotel (with bedrooms in the back of the atrium-style hotel) were the charm, but we found it to be quiet. Our diet cokes never did get delivered. No big deal. We got them on check-out.
Breakfast: 7-10am is a full cooked-to-order breakfast. GOOD. Be prepared for crowds. So have a strategy & be patient.
We enjoyed wonderful omelets, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, and more. Then went back to the room and watched a movie on HBO before we checked out.