Tag: Marriott Bonvoy

  • Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center Review: A Marriott Gem That Deserves More Attention

    Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center Review: A Marriott Gem That Deserves More Attention

    Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center Review: A Marriott Gem That Deserves More Attention

    When you travel as much as I do, hotels can start to blend together. The layouts are similar, the rooms are familiar, and after a while it takes something special to stand out.

    The Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center managed to do exactly that.

    As a longtime Marriott loyalist, I tend to have pretty high expectations. This property not only met them, it exceeded them in several ways.

    First Impressions

    The lobby is what immediately caught my attention.

    It’s a massive open atrium that stretches several stories high, with balconies overlooking the center from every floor. The design instantly reminded me of Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World.

    In fact, I couldn’t help but think that if you dropped a monorail through the middle of the building, you’d almost believe the same architect designed both.

    It’s an impressive space that immediately makes the hotel feel larger and more upscale than you’d expect.

    The Room

    The guest room was exactly what I hope for when I check into a Marriott property.

    It was clean, modern, and extremely well maintained.

    The bed was comfortable, there was plenty of room to work, relax, and unpack, and I appreciated having a small balcony overlooking the surrounding area. It’s not a mountain view, but it was still a nice place to enjoy a cup of coffee before heading out.

    Sometimes it’s the little things that separate one hotel from another.

    The Details

    One thing I really enjoyed was the playful aviation theme sprinkled throughout the room.

    There were small paper airplane accents on the ceiling and decorative touches inside the closet that most guests probably walk right past.

    They’re subtle, but they add personality. It’s nice to see a hotel put some thought into the guest experience instead of making every room feel identical.

    Those little details are exactly the kind of thing I notice.

    Food

    The food was another pleasant surprise.

    Hotel restaurants can be hit or miss, but I had a very good meal here. It was well prepared, the service was excellent, and it saved me from having to head back out after a long day.

    Sometimes convenience comes at the expense of quality.

    Not here.

    The One Drawback

    If there’s one thing worth mentioning, it’s the location.

    The hotel sits roughly 25 to 30 minutes from Denver International Airport, depending on traffic.

    If you’re expecting an airport hotel that’s five minutes from your gate, this isn’t it.

    For me, though, the extra drive was well worth it considering the quality of the property.

    Would I Stay Here Again?

    Without hesitation.

    The Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center is clean, modern, comfortable, and has enough unique character that it doesn’t feel like another cookie-cutter business hotel.

    That’s becoming increasingly rare.

    If you’re a Marriott member, or simply looking for a dependable hotel in Denver that offers a premium experience without luxury hotel pricing, this is one I’d absolutely recommend.

    My Rating

    Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Design & Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Location: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

    Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Travel Smart,

    Tommy Pgas

  • Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas Lake Buena Vista Review: One of My Favorite Places to Stay Near Disney

    Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas Lake Buena Vista Review: One of My Favorite Places to Stay Near Disney

    Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas Lake Buena Vista Review: One of My Favorite Places to Stay Near Disney

    There are hotels that simply give you a place to sleep.

    Then there are hotels that become part of your vacation.

    The Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas Lake Buena Vista falls squarely into the second category.

    I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels around Orlando over the years, but this one checks just about every box for me. Palm trees, tropical landscaping, multiple pools, spacious villa accommodations, and a location that’s close enough to everything without feeling crowded.

    If you know me, you already know you had me at “Florida.”

    First Impressions

    From the moment you pull onto the property, it feels like you’re arriving at a tropical resort instead of another hotel.

    The entrance is beautifully landscaped, palm trees line the roads, fountains greet you as you arrive, and the grounds are immaculately maintained.

    Everything immediately says, “Vacation starts now.”

    That first impression never faded during my stay.

    The Villa

    This is where the Sheraton Vistana really separates itself from a traditional hotel.

    Instead of a standard room, I stayed in one of the resort’s villas, and it felt much more like a small apartment than a hotel room.

    The separate bedroom gave me plenty of privacy, while the living room provided a comfortable place to relax after a day out. Everything was clean, modern, and very well maintained.

    The Kitchen Is a Game Changer

    If you’ve read my travel articles before, you know I love having a kitchen when I travel.

    This villa had exactly what I look for.

    A full-size refrigerator.

    A full kitchen.

    Real counter space.

    The ability to cook my own meals instead of eating out every single day.

    Not only does that save money, but it also lets me stick to healthier eating while I’m on the road. That’s something I really appreciate when I’m traveling for several days.

    For me, this alone makes the Sheraton Vistana worth considering.

    The Balcony

    One of my favorite moments during the trip was simply sitting on the balcony.

    The view overlooked water, trees, and beautifully landscaped grounds that made it easy to forget you were just minutes away from some of the busiest attractions in the country.

    Sometimes the best part of a vacation isn’t running from attraction to attraction.

    Sometimes it’s sitting outside with a cup of coffee and enjoying the view.

    The Resort

    The pools are exactly what you’d hope for in an Orlando resort.

    Palm trees.

    Waterfalls.

    Plenty of seating.

    Beautiful tropical landscaping.

    Everywhere you look, it feels like a Florida vacation should.

    The grounds are large enough that you can take a relaxing walk without ever leaving the property, and everything is exceptionally well cared for.

    Location

    The location couldn’t be much better.

    You’re just minutes from Walt Disney World, Disney Springs, shopping, restaurants, and practically anything else you’d want during an Orlando vacation.

    It’s close to the action without feeling like you’re right in the middle of it.

    The spacious villa feels much more like a vacation home than a hotel room.
    A full kitchen makes longer stays easy and helps save money on meals.
    The separate bedroom offers comfort and privacy.
    Morning coffee is even better with this peaceful balcony view.
    One of several resort pools surrounded by palm trees.
    The on-site Marketplace is convenient for groceries, snacks, and quick essentials.

    Would I Stay Here Again?

    Absolutely.

    In fact, I’d actively look to book here again.

    Between the villa layout, the full kitchen, the beautiful tropical grounds, and the outstanding location, this has become one of my favorite places to stay in the Orlando area.

    Whether you’re visiting Disney, Universal, or simply looking for a relaxing Florida getaway, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

    My Rating

    Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Amenities: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Location: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Pags on the Go Take

    I’m a sucker for tropical resorts, so maybe I’m a little biased.

    But this place earned it.

    The combination of spacious villas, a full kitchen, gorgeous pools, lush landscaping, and an unbeatable Orlando location makes the Sheraton Vistana Resort one I’d recommend without hesitation.

    If you’re the type of traveler who likes a little more space than a typical hotel room, enjoys cooking a few meals, and wants to feel like you’re actually on vacation, this property delivers.

    Travel Smart,

    Tommy Pags

  • Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

    Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

    Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

    Some hotels are simply places to sleep.

    The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center isn’t one of them.

    This place is an attraction all by itself.

    The first time you walk through the doors, your brain almost has trouble processing what you’re seeing. Massive glass atriums. Winding rivers. Waterfalls. Bridges. Thousands of tropical plants. Restaurants tucked into little corners that feel like they’re part of a small village.

    It’s almost like someone built an indoor resort, then decided to put a hotel around it.

    And honestly…

    It’s one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.

    First Impressions

    Pictures don’t prepare you for the scale of this place.

    The resort features three enormous glass atriums covering more than nine acres of indoor gardens. Inside you’ll find waterfalls, tropical plants, walking paths, restaurants, fountains, and the famous Delta River, where guests can ride flat-bottom Delta Riverboats through the indoor gardens. 

    It feels less like a hotel and more like a miniature city under glass.

    You could spend hours simply wandering around.

    There’s Always Something To Do

    One thing I really appreciated is that this isn’t just somewhere you stay between sightseeing trips.

    The resort itself is the destination.

    You can:

    • Ride the Delta Riverboats through the indoor gardens.
    • Walk the beautifully landscaped atriums.
    • Watch the light and fountain shows.
    • Visit dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops.
    • Spend time at SoundWaves, the resort’s indoor and outdoor water attraction (with the appropriate package).
    • Relax at the spa.
    • Simply sit by the river and enjoy the atmosphere. 

    There aren’t many hotels where you can spend an entire day without ever stepping outside.

    This is one of them.

    The Room

    The room itself was exactly what I’d expect from a premium Marriott property.

    Clean.

    Comfortable.

    Well maintained.

    Honestly, though…

    That’s not really why you stay here.

    The room almost becomes secondary because the real experience begins the moment you leave it.

    The Food

    I ate at several places throughout the resort during my stay.

    Overall, everything ranged from good to very good.

    I even grabbed some pizza while I was there.

    Was it the best pizza I’ve ever had?

    No.

    Was it the worst?

    Not even close.

    It was perfectly fine, and with so many dining options spread throughout the resort, there’s something for just about everyone.

    The Biggest Problem

    Now for the downside.

    This hotel is enormous.

    And I mean enormous.

    It’s beautiful.

    It’s impressive.

    It’s also one of the most confusing hotels I’ve ever been inside.

    The maps didn’t help much.

    At one point I asked an employee for directions, and they couldn’t answer my question. They actually had to bring me to another employee.

    That pretty much summed it up.

    Walking from your room to a meeting room or convention hall can easily take 20 minutes.

    That’s if you know where you’re going.

    If you don’t…

    Good luck.

    The same thing happened when heading out for the evening. Coming back from downtown Nashville meant a surprisingly long walk from the rideshare drop-off back to my room.

    It’s just part of staying at a property this size.

    Would I Stay Here Again?

    Absolutely.

    Without hesitation.

    I’d just leave earlier to get anywhere.

    The Gaylord Opryland isn’t the kind of hotel you choose because it’s convenient.

    You choose it because it’s unlike almost anything else in the country.

    The indoor gardens are breathtaking.

    The atmosphere is incredible.

    The resort is beautifully maintained.

    And Nashville remains one of my favorite cities to visit.

    Just make sure your phone is charged…

    Because you’re probably going to be using the map.

    A lot.

    My Rating

    Property: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

    Navigation: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)

    Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.8/5)

    Pags on the Go Take

    There aren’t many hotels where I tell people to set aside time just to explore the property.

    This is one of them.

    The Gaylord Opryland is one of the most unique resorts I’ve ever visited. The indoor gardens, waterfalls, riverboats, restaurants, and atmosphere make it feel like you’re walking through an indoor resort town instead of a hotel.

    Just don’t assume you’ll find your room on the first try.

    Or the second.

    Travel smart,
    Tommy Pags