Last weekend, I joined four fellow travel bloggers in experiencing five distinct Hotel Monaco properties in five cities across the country for a family holiday getaway. We loved our stays so much, we want your family to experience your own Kimpton Holiday. Read on to hear about our magical weekend and how you can win a two-night stay at any Kimpton Hotel property of your choice (a value of $500)!
My family’s stay at the Hotel Monaco Portland was one of our most relaxing weekends to date! A Kimpton property that epitomizes family luxury in the heart of Portland, Oregon’s chic downtown, Hotel Monaco is ideally located for all things Portlandia.
We began our stay with the valet greeting us curbside to whisk away our car (overnight parking is $35, and valet services are open 24 hours per day). Upstairs in the lobby, we were immersed in the holiday spirit by the elegant (yet fun and funky) décor, real Christmas tree, and holiday swag as we checked into our king suite and double queen suite adjourning rooms.
The kids were treated royally, which, to those familiar with the Kimpton philosophy, will come as no surprise. Waiting for us in our suite was not only the a KimptonKids welcome pack , which is always customized to individual guests (ours included plush animals, snacks, and sparkling cider), but even a Kimpton pet—a goldfish—on loan for the duration of our stay. I loved that the suite bedroom doors slid closed for further privacy, and that the couch pull-out beds ensured that no one had to draw straws for their own sleeping arrangements.
Before dinner, we joined other guests at the hotel’s happy hour (from 5 pm to 6 pm), which included not only complimentary local wines, beer, and seasonal hot toddies but canvas painting (on easels) and Wii gaming for the kids, and an appearance by Timmy, the hotel’s Labrador retriever mascot. You’d think our kids didn’t have dogs of their own, the way they lavished attention on uber-friendly Timmy! (The Hotel Monaco is known for their pet-friendly policies: families shouldn’t hesitate bringing their own pooches along for their stay.)
After happy hour, we asked conceirage Decoteau Wilkerson for a dinner recommendation, and she did us one better, jumping on the phone to secure us a table at the cozy (and conveniently close) Mother’s Bistro. Afterward, we took in the lights at Portland’s Winter Wonderland before returning to the hotel to slip into Kimpton’s signature animal print bathrobes.
We started our Sunday morning with a trip to the impressive exercise room (the adults) and the lobby hot chocolate bar (the kids), where I’m told an array of ‘toppings’, including gingerbread marshmallows, chocolate chips, and coconut shavings, were on hand in addition to the cocoa. (Starbucks coffee is available as well.) We followed that decadent start to our day with a trip to Hotel Monaco’s Red Star Tavern, located adjacent to the lobby, which offers a Sunday brunch menu well-worth putting in a weekend workout for. Before checking out to partake in our final Portland touring of the weekend, we stopped by the front desk to drop off the kids’ KimtonKids guest survey cards, in which three out of three boys had rated Hotel Monaco with a full five stars.
If you’re wondering whether a stay at a Kimpton property is worth that five star expense, I’ll say this: Hotel Monaco is as much about the experience as it is the actual hotel property (and given how impressive this historic Portland property is, that’s saying something!). I’ve never encountered a more friendly staff (don’t hesitate to use them as a resource!) and our needs were met at every juncture. Remember that in-room goldfish? It just so happens that six-year-old Toby’s own beloved goldfish died only a few weeks before our stay, so along with the rental of Guppy, a handwritten, personalized note sat next to Toby’s bed, expressing condolences and asking if he would help care for this temporary replacement during our stay. To me, that extra touch embodies the Kimpton dedication to detail and guest relations, conducted at the Hotel Monaco Portland during the holiday season and all year long.
Ready to experience the Kimpton hospitality for yourself? Here’s how to enter to win your own Kimpton weekend away (with five chances to win):
1. Leave a comment below answering the question, “At which Kimpton property are you dreaming about staying the weekend?”
2. Leave a comment on each of the other four participating blogs (that’s right…you have five chances to win!). Start by reading about Hotel Monaco Baltimore at MotherofAllTrips, then Seattle at HipTravelMama. Tomorrow, virtually visit Hotel Monaco San Francisco via TheVacationGals, and Saturday, stop by the Hotel Marlowe in Boston with CiaoBambino.
Entries close on Sunday, Dec 11, 2011 at 11:59pm. Winner will be announced Monday, Dec 12, 2011.
GIVEAWAY UPDATE: Congrats to Lucia Jones, the winner of our giveaway (selected by random number on random.org)!
Rules:
The Kimpton Hotel Holiday getaway prize is a gift certificate for two-night stay at any Kimpton Hotel in the continental US and is valued at $500. Up to five entries per person. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. You must be a US resident, 21 or older to participate. Employees, partners, agents, vendors or immediate family members of MotherofAllTrips, HipTravelMama, TheVacationGals, CiaoBambino and PitstopsforKids are not eligible to enter. This is a random drawing, so odds of winning will depend on number of entrants. Rules are governed by the state of Washington. HipTravelMama, PitStopsforKids, and other participating sites reserve the right to cancel, suspend and or modify a promotion if any problem corrupts the administration, security or proper play of the promotion. In the event of a dispute as to the winner’s identity, entries will be deemed made by the holder of the email account associated with the entry. Entrants agree that HipTravelMama, PitStopsforKids, or any of the other participating sites are not responsible and cannot be held liable for any unauthorized intervention, technical errors, printing errors, mail delays and any other errors in connection with the administration with this program.
As I disclose whenever applicable, Kimpton Hotels hosted our stay at Hotel Monaco Portland and our meal at Red Star Tavern. While their generosity is appreciated, it comes with no expectation of a positive review.
We would love to go to Boston!
I’d love to stay at the Hotel Monaco in Chicago!
Thanks!!
katierox4you@yahoo.com
We have heard wonderful things about the Sky Hotel in Aspen and are dreaming of a ski getaway …
I’m dreaming of the Vero Beach, FL hotel. It sounds lovely!
Hotel Palomar San Diego!
Oh, either the Sky Hotel in Aspen or the FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. I’ve stayed at the Sir Francis Drake in SF before. Nice digs!
I’m dreaming of the Vero Beach, FL hotel.
I’d love to stay at The Muse in Times Square, NYC!
I would love to stay at the Kimpton in San Francisco
I’d like to stay at the 70 park avenue hotel
San Diego or San Fransisco. I can’t decide b/t SoCal & N Cali. Love the whole state.
Hotel Monaco, San Francisco: I’d love to leave my heart there!
Hotel Monaco, San Francisco is my dream lodging..
I’d love to stay at the FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale
totally the hotel monaco in san fran. i love san fran!
We think it would be wicked cool to visit Boston! Biking along the Charles after visiting the science museum sounds perfect.
I’ve stayed in the Seattle location with my husband. But the Hotel Monaco in Washington DC looks amazing since it is in an old post office in the heart of all that history stuff. Wow!
As much as I’d like to travel some place I’ve never been, I had such a wonderful time when I stayed at the Kimpton in Portland, OR, that I am dreaming of going back! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love to stay at the Muse in NYC
I’m dreaming of staying at the weekend at the Kimpton ‘Sky Hotel’ in Aspen, CO. With the mountains in the background, it would be absolutely breathtaking.
I would love to head down to Washington, DC. Thanks
How about the new Surfcomber in South Beach Miami? That would make a nice escape this winter
Wow! What a gorgeous room! I would like to take my kids to the NYC Park Avenue Kimpton property!
I’m dreaming about staying at the Hotel Alexis in Seattle. Lovely place!
I’d like to stay at the one in Washington DC. Going to see my son graduate and this would be fantastic
I’m dreaming about staying in Hotel Palomar in Chicago because I’m dying to eat at Sable – Chef Heather Terhune is on Top Chef right now!!
Actually, I have been wanting to go to Portland, Oregon so, I would love to stay there. After seeing how beautiful it is I am dreaming of staying there.
PORTLAND PLEASE
i would want to stay at the Hotel Monaco Baltimore
On state street that great street I just want to say! It’s my kinda town!
I would love to stay in the hotel in chicago because its close to my home and close to many chicago attractions.
I’d love to stay at Hotel Monaco Chicago
Thought I wanted to go to San Fran but now you have me dreaming of some tax free shopping in Portland!
I would love to stay at the Muse hotel in NYC!
I would stay the weekend at The Muse New York
I’m dreaming of staying at your NYC location – I’d love to take my kids to the Metropolitan Museum of Art after they read “The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler.”
A stay at the Sir Francis Drake in San Francisco sounds like it might be a memorable one
I just came back from a stay at Hotel Marlowe, so that dream happened! If I had to pick one I’d dream to stay at, I would pick Eventi in NYC. I would love to check it out!!