Family Friendly Cincinnati

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Family Friendly Hotels: Comfort Suites (Giveaway)

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This past December my family and I decided to start a new tradition and take a family vacation over Christmas break. Based on work and school schedules, we decided to sneak away Christmas Day after opening gifts from Santa.  We weren’t sure where we wanted to go, but we knew we wanted to drive, and we knew we didn’t want to drive for more than a day.

As we started to look over the map and weigh our options, a winner emerged.  We were going to go explore Charlotte, NC. None of us had been there, and heck, it was warmer than Cincinnati was at the time.

About the same time we were planning our trip, the folks with Comfort Suites reached out to see if we’d be interested in visiting one of their recently renovated Comfort Inn or Comfort Suites properties. Having stayed at Comfort Suites in the past, and not having yet booked our hotel, we were excited to work with them and check out the results of their recent renovations (the just finished renovated more than 1,900 Comfort hotels).

Comfort Suites University Charlotte

While there are multiple Comfort Suites locations in Charlotte, we opted to stay at the Comfort Suites University Area. We thought with it being near a college it would be a great opportunity to expose the boys to the college atmosphere.

Comfort Suites Lobby

The lobby of the Comfort Suites University was beautifully decorated for the holidays. The decor was very modern and warm. The lobby was right off the reception area where we checked into the hotel.

In addition to revamping the hotel, Comfort Suites used feedback from 10,000+ guests and franchisees to revamp its free breakfast offering. The new offering is healthier, heartier, and as I mentioned above, they now offer flavored waffles in addition to plain (this was huge with the kids). Also, for check out day they offer a Grab It and Go breakfast bag which includes a breakfast bar, a piece of fruit, water and a mint.

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So first of all… yes. I took a picture of the bathroom. While normally I wouldn’t, I really loved how they tied the bathroom decor into that of the rest of the hotel. It was very modern feeling, decorated with shades of brown.  I was (am) obsessed with the floor tile, which I have already added to my list of things I want to find when we remodel our downstairs bathroom.

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Those of you who like to stick to your workout routine while on vacation, like my husband, will like that the hotel also offers the free use of a workout room. The room contained all the things you would expect — weights, nice machines and a TV.  My husband and my oldest son used the room while we were there.

Now, on to what I think this the most important part of the hotel experience… the hotel room.

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A family of four, we booked a suite room with two double beds (avg $119 a night). The beds featured 100% cotton sheets, and were topped with new coverlets and colorful burgundy bed scarves.  Pillows came in both soft and firm, which was nice because I prefer mine to be firmer than the kids do.  As part of the recent renovations, Comfort Suites tested about 100 different types of pillows and invested one-quarter-million in brand new bedding packages.

 

One of our favorite things about the room was this little sitting area. This area included a comfortable sofa and table and allowed us to feel like we weren’t as cramped as you normally feel in a hotel room.  This space was widely used for building LEGOS, reading and even for a few rowdy Battleship matches. Best of all, it gave my husband and I somewhere to go when it was time for the boys to go to bed.

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In addition to the sitting area, the room also came with a flat screen TV (they recently added more than 150,000 new flat-screen TVs to guest rooms) and a large desk area. Having free WI-FI in the room proved to be a huge plus as we logged online daily to map out our day’s adventures. I also won’t lie to you, the WI-FI was pretty awesome to have for surfing the web during the down time too ;-).  Oh, and for those of you who love your gadgets, the desk area included a multi-outlet recharging device with USB ports as well as traditional plugs.

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Lastly, a feature that I think is imperative for families traveling, the room included a “kitchen area.”  This area included a mini fridge for storing bottles of water, snacks and even leftovers from eating out, as well as a microwave and coffee maker (a coffee maker is a must have….).

Having spent three nights at the Comfort Suites University in Charlotte, I feel like we really had the opportunity to fully experience the hotel. Coming and going throughout the day, we had the chance to engage with a wide variety of staff and to really try out all aspects of the hotel, with the exception of the outdoor pool. The hotel felt brand new, and the staff seemed to take real pride in its appearance.

Shout Out:::: I want to take a moment to give a special shout out related to customer service and the woman who worked the front desk in the evening. I didn’t catch her hame, but she checked us in the evening of Christmas Day, and then was there working each evening as we arrived back from our day of adventures.  She was always smiling, always said “hello”, “welcome back”, “did you have fun today,”etc. (we’d told her we were there on vacation) and just really added to the experience.

So, why am I telling you about our wonderful stay at the Comfort Suites hotel in Charlotte, NC? Because the AWESOME people with Comfort Suites have given Family Friendly Cincinnati a TWO NIGHT FREE STAY (up to $400 value) to give away to one lucky Family Friendly Cincinnati reader!

That’s right.  One lucky winner will win a two night stay at one of the recently renovated Comfort Inn or Comfort Suite locations.

ENTER TO WIN

Want to win a two-night free stay at a Comfort Inn or Comfort Suite property*** (up to $400 in value)?

Entering is easy! Simply comment on this post saying what Comfort Suites feature (shared above) you think your family would enjoy the most (pool, free breakfast, sitting area, etc).  Additional items outlined below are bonus entries. Leave a separate comment on this post for each one you complete. A total of FIVE entries are possible.

Bonus Entries:

That’s it…that’s FIVE ways to enter which means FIVE chances to win! The winner will be drawn and notified via email (we’ll also announce it on our Facebook page). The contest will close at 2pm on Saturday, January 31, 2015. Winner will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

****Please note: The winner will have a choice of staying in a Comfort Inn or Comfort Suites hotel from a list of premier properties in select cities across the country.

 

 Disclosure: We received a complimentary stay at the Comfort Suites University in Charlotte, NC in exchange for sharing about the hotel and our experience. Opinions are 100% our own and reflect our experience.  If you have any questions, we would gladly answer them.

Comments

  5. Joleen says

    would love to check out the free breakfast, it’s the first thing we look for in choosing a hotel!

  10. Angela R. says

    We would definitely love the pool and the free breakfast! A vacation would be wonderful right about now!! Thank you for the contest!

  32. Jessica Ritsch says

    My kids love staying in hotels. The whole experience is an adventure. We love going and hanging in the pool and sharing great experiences.

  34. kathleen says

    Attentive customer service definitely is a plus for me. I like to feel that people care about our comfort. The more spacious room is a requirement for my family’s!

  37. Alison S says

    i think the selection of cereals would be highly entertaining for my toddler. As for me, the new bedding sounds divine!

  64. Molly Buckley says

    My family would love the free breakfast. It just starts the day off right to enjoy the trip.

  65. RA Leffingwell says

    Sounds so nice, could really use a break from winter boredom now that the holidays are over I follow you on Facebook since we have a 7 year old granddaughter

  66. SandraT says

    I would just love to go anywhere right now. Been in the house too long. Breakfast and a pool would be awesome.

  68. Amanda says

    Follow you on FB and signed up for newsletter. My family would most enjoy the breakfast bar and on the go option!

  73. Michelle lowery says

    I love the spacious rooms , since I would have my 2 grandchildren!! Also the free breakfast and pool!!

  96. Melissa Sterling says

    I would love to win this giveaway! The beds look soooo comfy. Our mattress is terrible! A nice few days of good sleep would be heaven!

  110. Lauren G. says

    My husband would love the gym, my daughter would love the pool, and I love the variety for breakfast and the seating area (hate having to eat in the room).

  128. katie lynch says

    we just stayed at a Comfort Inn in Mount Vernon, Ohio this weekend for my grandpa’s funeral but we didn’t get very much time to enjoy the pool as much as we hoped with all of the funeral “festivities”. it was much nicer than we had expected it was going to be but my two little boys were sad we did not get to use the pool more. So our favorite activity would obviously be swimming at the gloriously renovated Comfort Inn.

  131. Tika says

    We love the opportunity to swim when we travel, especially in the Winter months if there is an indoor pool!

  141. Dana says

    Our family would LOVE a 2 night stay at Comfort Suites to break away from the day to day craziness with 3 kids and their sport activities. We would love spending time together in the pool, cuddling up for a great movie, and getting up late for a yummy breakfast we do not have to make. Most of all, this would give us all a reason to just get away for some quality family time. Fingers crossed

  151. Gail says

    I subscribe to the Enewsletter and like the Facebook page. Thanks for all of your wonderful updates. We have stayed at Comfort Inn many times. I love the home away from home concept they have in their rooms. I really think my family would and has enjoyed the most is the breakfast. They love making their own waffles.

  153. Kathy Bowen says

    I am on a tight budget and would LOVE to win this! My son would love the pool, I would love the breakfast bar but mostly a I would love to relax in a nice well-appointed room for a couple of days

  171. Suzanne Ludeman says

    Our kids would love the pool and my husband and I would love a hot breakfast we didn’t have to cook!

  185. Jennifer ziegelmeier says

    Subscribed to Cincinnati family on instagram, receiving your newsletter, tweeted contest. Would love to have a stay at comfort inn suites.

  206. Vette Walker says

    My family would love the spacious rooms especially with a 3 year old and a 20 year old!

  209. tara raines says

    With there being 6 of us, I think our favorite would be the sitting area! My kids take things to play and give us a bit more room. I would the free breakfast!! I already subscribe to newsletter and follow on facebook & Instagram.

  214. Lana says

    My family would love the indoor pool especially since we have been couped up inside this winter!

  223. megan g says

    I would love the free bbreakfast and my son would enjoy the extra space as we always have to travel with trains.

  226. Danielle says

    For me, the pools and the free breakfast are the most important features of a hotel. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  231. Robin K says

    We’ve stayed at the Comfort Suites in Spartanburg, SC many times. We love the pool and breakfast!

  233. Jenna Kemper says

    I just started following on Instagram, already follow on Facebook and newsletter! I guess I need to get more savvy with Twitter next!

  234. Jenna Kemper says

    My whole family loves to swim so what a perfect thing for our family during these winter blues! My kids loooove any hotel! Especially if it smells like chlorine! Lol!

  248. Emily C says

    i didn’t read that you used the pool area, but since you mentioned it was available, my kids would be in heaven! Nice write-up, and good news for another family friendly hotel!

  271. Lisa C says

    This would be perfect for our family to get away for a bit. We didn’t get a chance to have any kind of vacation recently due to the birth of our beautiful daughter. It would be nice just for a small break 🙂

  272. Annie D. says

    We would love to have a new family experience with Comfort Suites hotel! Our family would definitely love the pool and breakfast!

  283. Jennifer Burton says

    We would love the free breakfast! Getting up and not having to worry about getting out the door just to wait at a crowded restaurant is the best feeling ever!

  306. Molly Pitcher says

    What a great contest and that breakfast sounds delish! I sign up for the Family Friendly Cincinnati Enewsletter followed you on Instagram and tweeted!

  311. Jody D says

    we would definitely love the pool, but the sitting areas are a great addition. Ours would see a lot of toys and games too.

  323. Ginny Schueler says

    The pool! My 4 year old loves to swim!! However, I know my husband’s favorite would be breakfast. 😉

  331. Theresa says

    My family stayed at the Comfort Suites in Charlotte this past summer and loved it — beautiful and affordable! Thanks for the chance to win.

  344. Deana Williams says

    Checked out the Facebook page and liked it. Looking forward to seeing what is happening in the Cincinnati area. 🙂

  353. Patricia says

    This would be a great weekend getaway to Cincinnati from Lexington to check out what Cincinnati has to offer for a 10 yr old and his father and mother .

  367. Heather says

    We would enjoy the breakfast the most!! Or the pool..or the fitness center…haha…now I can’t decide! Probably the breakfast!

  368. Jill Mays says

    We would enjoy every feature, but particularly the pool. I really would love to just get away for a few nights.

  395. Becky says

    My family would enjoy a lot of things the Comfort Inn and Suites has to offer. We would enjoy the free breakfast and sitting area the most!

  396. Gina says

    I love the idea of “Breakfast on the Go” for when you check out! Do other hotels do this? That’s such a great idea! I’ve also not seen blueberries by the waffle maker at other hotels. VERY COOL!

  397. Heidi says

    Since everyone in our family enjoys different things for breakfast, the free breakfast has something everyone loves and sets us up for the day so we can go around the city 🙂

  398. kelly e says

    I know my family would enjoy the awesome pool and breakfasts. Sounds like a great family get away!

  406. Sarah Strange says

    My last two stays were at Comfort Suites with my kids and I won’t stay anywhere else now! The rooms are roomy, the sitting area is amazing with my 5, the free breakfast, the pool the list could go on and on about my favorite amenities! I highly recommend when traveling with kids!!

  408. Amanda Wells says

    I think my family would enjoy the nice plush beds/bedding and also enjoy the revamped breakfast bar. It is so nice to be able to go downstairs and not have to leave for breakfast when you have two small children.

  409. Karen Adams says

    We have stayed at hotels similar to this (other brands) and they are great for our family! The pool is always a winner with my girls and on site breakfast is so convenient.

  410. Dianna P. says

    I love the clean, new modern decor! I think my family would get a lot of enjoyment out of the pool and I especially love that breakfast is available in the mornings!

  422. Kelsey says

    My family LOVES to travel, and I think my kids would enjoy the pool the most!! (Though I think my favorite thing would be the breakfast!)

  425. Amy Blair says

    Love to be able to travel free or discount in return blog about our experience. With my family on one income it’s hard to find inexpensive getaways. It isn’t impossible 🙂 I search every site for hotel cost and breakfast that is included. I than search area that offer FREE events for my family interest. We than plan on eating out one meal since hotel includes breakfast. That leaves us to pack a lunch while exploring the area.
    I love sites like your helps guide me when looking to getaway for a few days. Entering contest IF YOU WIN can help with cost. Also we do birthday trips with one child he loves that each year we try to go somewhere new if it’s only for a night.

  430. Jennifer A says

    It sounds like you had an incredible time. It’s hard to point to one area that I love the most, BUT having complimentary breakfast options and a seating area is always a HUGE bonus for me and my family.

  444. Amy Blair says

    Love all breakfast options. When booking hotel that what I look for with my family. Along with feedback from previous guest.

  450. kelly says

    Opps. That’s what I get for filling this out with a head cold. Comfort Inn feature. Hands down the free breakfast, my kids go nuts for that. lol

  451. kelly says

    I think Charlotte, NC as well. My daughter has a dear friend who moved there two summers ago. She’s been back for visits but we’ve yet to go down there.

  452. Sara Sharp says

    The kitchen area in the room is a must for us traveling with a one year old that drinks a lot of milk!

  462. Norma says

    we would love to be able to use the pool and have the free breakfast since we have 2 young kiddos with us:)

  467. Katie says

    My kids would love the pool, especially on the winter months. But I would love the free breakfast!

  468. Maria Calderon says

    It would be so nice to stay for a couple of day`s at a hotel where I do not have to drag my two year old to a local restaurant for breakfast. It is the ease, the convenience that sounds so very good. I could certainly use that break and my son would enjoy spending a weekend away with mom, spending one on what time, building memories that will last a lifetime.

  469. Erica Thompson says

    We would love the free breakfast! My kids could pick whatever they wanted, and I wouldn’t have to cook!

  481. VictoriaN says

    The Comfort Suites feature I think my family would enjoy the most would be the pool. But I would love the free use of the workout room.

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