City Series - Pitstops for Kids

Touring Oregon Wine Country with Grape Escape wine tours

March 25, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Not long ago, I wouldn’t have thought of spending a full day during a Portland Oregon vacation touring the Oregon wine country. I simply wouldn’t have realized it was an option. In fact, the region directly around metropolitan Portland is ripe with wineries, and has been for several decades. During a recent parents’ weekend away in Portland, I spent an early spring Saturday in wine country with Grape Escape Tours, and it was certainly time well-spent. And if you are enjoying Portland with kids, good news: Grape Escape welcomes children on their winery tours, and yes, there’s actually things for them to do.

We started our experience with Grape Escape before we even arrived in Portland. As soon as I reached out via their website, owner Ralph Stinton gave me a call to find out where my party’s interests in wine lay, what we hoped to see during our day in wine country, and logistical details about our group. On our scheduled tour date, Ralph met us in the lobby of our Portland hotel where we chatted further about our expectations, our wine knowledge (or lack thereof), and the like. Following our phone conversation, Ralph had designed a personalized itinerary, which he handed out to us. Included on the itinerary were the three wineries we were scheduled to visit, plus our lunch plans and a paragraph of background information on each winery. Right away, we knew we were in good hands.

We loaded into a Grape Escape 12-passenger van, and Ralph told us more about Oregon’s wine country and the wineries we were scheduled to visit as we drove the approximately 30 minutes outside the city. Our customized tour began with smaller boutique winery Alloro Vineyards, located in the Chehalem Mountains. We met owner Dave Nemarnick, who planted the vineyard then built his beautiful Mediterranean inspired winery. It was obvious that Ralph and Grape Escape enjoyed a good working relationship with Alloro and the other wineries we toured; everywhere we went, he was greeted by name, and able to tell us detailed information about the location, the wines we were tasting, and the differences and similarities between Oregon wines and those elsewhere worldwide.

We lunched at The Allison Inn and Spa in the nearby Willamette Valley, which we had arranged ourselves; had we not, Ralph would have arranged lunch for us. We headed from there to nearby Domaine Serene, a larger winery situated in the Red Hills of Dundee. We were also scheduled to taste at Archery Summit, but Ralph was able to adapt our itinerary when we opted to spend extra time touring The Allison.

Grape Escapes booking tips:

Grape Escape vans comfortably hold up to 12 guests, but caravans are possible if you have a larger group. (Grape Escape has six vans in their fleet.) Ralph is one of several qualified guides, and founded the company 19 years ago. In his words, they ‘grew up’ with the Oregon wine industry, which explains their excellent relationship with the various vineyards.

Rates start at $80 per person for a partial day tour. The tour we enjoyed lasted from 10 am to after 4 pm, and runs $175 per person (the price lowers the larger your group). You’re paying for the transportation, but also for the expertise Grape Escape adds to the experience. The best way to get started is to fill out the form on the website, or call: 503-283-3380.

Oregon wine tasting with kids:

If you’re wine tasting with kids in tow, I’d recommend a half-day tour. I know my children would have gotten restless with a longer day. Ralph and his team know which wineries will be most kid-friendly, such as Stoller Winery, which sports a playground outside. All the wineries we saw included spacious outdoor seating, long rolling lawns, and usually a friendly dog or two. Kids will enjoy being out in the Oregon countryside and will be welcomed by Grape Escape. They’ll also sip sparkling juices and enjoy the same cheese and cracker plates as the adults. Ralph recommends bringing your own car seats, which can be fitted in any of the Grape Escape vans.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Grape Escape at a media rate, for the purpose of review.

The Allison Inn and Spa: Willamette Valley wine country pick

March 21, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Tucked into the green hillside just outside the quiet Portland bedroom community of Newberg, The Allison Inn and Spa somehow feels like both a destination and a detour. Turning up the long drive, you clearly feel as if you’ve arrived, but the location is just close enough to the bustle of downtown Portland that you feel only slightly away. When you’re looking to get away for a peaceful weekend, this is the perfect combination.

Light, airy, and expansive, The Allison is harmonious with the nature surrounding it, from the span of vineyards curving over the hillside to the leafy trees and gardens. Warm wood and highly efficient and eco-friendly features (this is a LEED Gold certified property) combine with bubbling water features, open space, and locally-sourced building materials to create a visually impressive and calming property. I literally sighed with relaxation upon entering the high-ceilinged, bright lobby.

The Allison is very much a labor of love, with owners who believe in drawing in the natural world, leaving a small eco-footprint, and treating guests right. Room rates reflect the luxurious nature of The Allison, but include everything, including things you usually pay extra for, like organic and healthy mini-bar snacks and wifi.

Most guests are here to enjoy the area’s expansive wine tasting (over 200 of the state’s approximate 400 wineries are located in this region), but you could just as easily spend your time on-property, enjoying the Allison Spa (which was too fully booked for us to even tour, a great testament to its popularity), eating gourmet cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients at Jory Restaurant, swimming in the indoor pool, or relaxing with a book on one of the many terraces or heated decks, or walking the grounds.

With kids, The Allison is within easy driving distance of McMinnville Oregon’s Air and Space Museum and adjacent Wings and Waves water park, and families could easily head to Portland for the day or even the Oregon coast. Jory has a full (and reasonable) kids’ menu, and the pool and grounds are kid-friendly.

Allison room amenities:

Hands down, the best room option for families is the double queen room, of which The Allison only has approximately a dozen (so book early). This room option is very spacious, with plenty of room for a rollaway and additionally includes a window seat/day bed perfect for toddlers or small children. The lovely bathroom includes a deep tub for fun baths, and every room has a balcony, fireplace, and the aforementioned free snacks.

The Allison does have suite and junior suites, though for the much higher price point, families don’t get a great deal more than is already provided in their queen rooms. Suites include a limited mini-kitchenette (best for entertaining…not for cooking full meals), and a nice dining table, and additional privacy for parents with a separate bedroom. All rooms, suites and standard rooms alike, include local artwork on the walls which are rotated frequently and always stunning.

Jory Restaurant:

Our meal at Jory was possibly the best food I’ve ever had in Oregon (and I’ve had many excellent meals here). Kids enjoy seeing the open kitchen from much of the dining area, and the kids’ menu is healthy while still being very appealing for little ones. Jory chefs use local ingredients, including their meat, of which they use the whole animal for less waste and in-house, fresh options. In fact, The Allison produces so little waste in general that they are not on a regular waste removal pick-up; they call when they need one. Their breakfast options are as excellent as their dinners (try the signature eggs benedict), and even their compotes, syrups, and butters are made from scratch.

There is an impressive chef’s table at Jory should your party want to indulge; I’m certain the experience would be memorable.

Allison fitness center and spa:

The Allison Spa is beloved among guests and locals alike, but I appreciated that the pool, hot tub, and fitness center is for hotel guests only. The Allison pool is not extremely large, but it’s as lovely and peaceful as the rest of the property, with natural light saturating the water from the glass ceiling and wall (which can retract in warm weather). There’s a hot tub as well as the pool, plenty of lounge chairs, and an outdoor space where you can still keep an eye on kids for summer stays.

The fitness center, adjacent to the pool, is also not large, but again, light and spacious and does not feel cramped as some smaller centers can feel.

Date last visited: March 2013

Distance from the interstate: 20 minutes from I-5.

Directions: The Allison is located at 2525 Allison Lane in Newberg Oregon.

Portland happy hour picks: Where to go for happy hour with or without the kids in Portland

March 15, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re visiting Portland without the kids, have older kids with discerning tastes (as mine have become as they get older) or have younger children who appreciate great dining atmosphere over crayons and chicken nuggets (not mine at that age!), you’ll want to try one (or all!) of the following Portland restaurants with happy hour deals, lively ambiance, and a true Portland city feel.

23 Hoyt:

Located at 529 NW 23rd Avenue, 23 Hoyt is in the heart of the quaint Northwest district of Portland and offers a cozy atmosphere in winter and open, bright atmosphere in summer. Their happy hour (ending at 6 pm at the time of our visit) is one of the best deals in the city, offering extensive cocktails for as little as $3. My blood orange martini was stellar. After happy hour, stay for dinner to enjoy a casual but lively environment that’s still tame enough for the kids.

Pazzo Ristorante:

A Kimpton restaurant located adjacent (and attached to) the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Plaza at 627 SW Washington Street, Pazzo Ristorante is a moderately-priced Italian restaurant with far from moderate food. Their bar area is separate from dining seating, so if you have kids in tow, you can order drinks at the table. Otherwise, soak up the ambiance of this warm, inviting interior at a bar table overlooking the street. The food at Pazzo is stellar: try the butternut squash ravioli as well as the peppered bread brought to each table. Read more about Pazzo Ristorante following our recent Pazzo giveaway.

Special offer for Pit Stops for Kids readers: now through March 31, mention that you saw our recent Pazzo Ristorante dinner giveaway when making your reservation, and receive 20% off your meal!

Thirst Bistro:

Located at 0315 SW Montgomery St #340 along the RiverPlace Escalade, Thirst Bistro is small and intimate, and a great place to pop into during happy hour while walking along the river front. Grab drinks and tapas here, then stay for a light dinner, or walk a few doors down to RiverPlace hotel’s Three Degrees Waterfront Bar and Grill for a family-friendly meal that will satisfy the adults as well as the kids. Children can watch the boats on the river, and parents can always take restless kids for a short walk to see goose and ducks while waiting for food.

Photo credit

Atlanta History Center with kids

March 8, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

During a family vacation to Atlanta, absolutely do not overlook the Atlanta History Center, located well out of downtown in the neighborhood of Buckhead. This sprawling museum on 33 wooded acres is tucked into the heart of a beautiful Atlanta neighborhood and is both peaceful and thought-provoking. For families visiting from outside the South, it’s especially fascinating to learn about local Civil War and Olympic Games history.

The Atlanta History Center is absolutely a full-scale, serious museum that will satisfy grown-ups, but it’s still very accessible to kids. To the side of the main lobby is a children’s play area that’s seen better days, but don’t let that fool you. The Civil War Turning Point gallery includes multimedia presentations for each section, as well as interactive exhibits that ask kids questions and pose ethical dilemmas. In the Olympic Games gallery, kids can take part in a multi-step quiz game that takes them throughout the exhibit.

The current traveling exhibit, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello is geared toward older school-aged kids, but is absolutely fascinating. Adults will learn right along with kids about the families of slaves, and their fates, of Monticello, and information is presented in a way that engages kids into the story behind the history.

Families with younger kids and toddlers will still find much to do outdoors, where wooded trails and a garden of native Georgian plants adorn an old rock quarry. Families can take a guided tour through the Smith Family Farm, or look through the outbuildings, barn, and slave cabin on their own. Guided tours of the adjacent Swan House is also not to be missed, as it tours families through a Southern mansion from the 1920s-30s era complete with original furnishings. Our guide did an excellent job describing the day-to-day life of the family who called it home, and kids will enjoy seeing children’s bedrooms from that period.

It’s worth checking the Atlanta History Center website for events and seasonal activities, as they offer monthly events (many of which are ideal for kids). Plan on 3-4 hours to tour the museum and grounds, including time to eat a meal at one of two restaurants.

Date last visited:

February 10, 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes from I-75.

Admission:

Tickets are $16.50 for adults and $11 for kids (3-12), but you can save $2 by buying online, and admission includes the guided tours of the historical houses as well as the Margaret Mitchell House downtown. Atlanta History Center is also included in Atlanta CityPASS (recommended).

Save up to 43% on Atlanta’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Hours of operation:

Monday-Saturday 10 am to 5:30 pm, Sundays noon-5:30 pm. Of note: museum restaurants are not open on Sundays.

Parking:

Free garage parking

Directions:

The museum is located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead area. Due to its distance from main streets, public transit is not recommended (by us). Taxis are approximately $20 from downtown.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the center as guests of Atlanta tourism, for the purpose of review. This hospitality came with no expectation of positive review.

Atlanta with kids: visiting the CNN Center

March 6, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

The CNN Center is an impressive family attraction in Atlanta, and because it’s located conveniently adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park attractions, it’s definitely worth a visit.

If you have young kids, it will be enough to walk into this vast building, take in all the international flags and large globe, and stop by the fun stores, such as a Cartoon Network store and Atlanta Braves store. You can grab a bite to eat at any number of food court offerings, and find spacious and clean bathrooms. If you have school-aged kids, you’ll want to take the time for a Inside CNN Studio Tour.

The tour takes about 50 minutes, and takes visitors up the world’s longest freestanding escalator (eight floors) to the CNN news rooms, ‘Situation Room’, and other TV studios. Our tour guide spoke a bit fast, but was overall a good source of information. We learned about the various equipment used in typical CNN news rooms, from tele-prompters to green screens, then saw some broadcasts in action. Perhaps the most interesting part of the tour was at the beginning, when we were shown–as it played out live–how the various feeds are fed into the on-air broadcast. We were there while Storm Nemo battered the Boston area, and saw a weather reporter nearly hit by a truck pulling out from a gas station! All was well that ended well, but it made me wonder whether CNN tours continue was very dire news hits.

Preschoolers and toddlers will not find the tour interesting, but kids approximately 8 and up will really enjoy it, and learn a lot as well, such as what the anchors do during commercials (chat with each other and wait) and what happens when you wear green against a green screen (you disappear like Harry Potter in his invisibility cloak).

Note: there is no food or drink on the tour, nor any bathrooms. Plan accordingly! You will also go through security, and your bags will be searched. You’ll notice a heavy security presence everywhere in CNN Center. Sadly, I’m sure it’s warranted.

Date last visited:

February 9, 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes off of I-75/85.

Tour Admission:

$15 for adults, $14 for teens (13-17), and $12 for kids 4-12. This attraction is included in Atlanta CityPASS and you’ll get the best value this way or through Go Select packages (see below).

Save up to 43% on Atlanta’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Hours:

9 am- 5 pm Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Tours are best on Mondays through Fridays, when the newsrooms are most active.

Dining:

There’s a decent cafeteria on site, though be advised that it’s as costly as all museum and aquarium cafes. The line moves fast, however, and there’s plenty of seating.

Directions:

The CNN Center is located at Marietta and Centennial Park Drive. A parking garage is located nearby at 178 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Park there in the morning and stay in the park area all day, visiting other Centennial Olympic Park attractions.

Learn what else there is to do in the Centennial Olympic Park area of Atlanta!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the CNN Insider Tour as guests, for the purpose of review. While appreciated, this hospitality did not come with expectation of a positive review.

Family attractions in Atlanta: Georgia Aquarium with kids

March 4, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

We visit a lot of aquariums, so I say this on pretty good authority: the Georgia Aquarium is one of the best we’ve experienced in the country. What makes it so great? Fully immersive exhibits and an easy-to-navigate layout.

The Georgia Aquarium is designed in a way to resemble a hub and spokes. Instead of cavernous rooms that link together, making it hard for families to make sure they tour everything, each of the Georgia Aquarium exhibits take you in a generalized loop, bringing you back every time to the hub. The main atrium is spacious and light, which helps with the ‘I’m trapped underground for hours’ feeling of some aquariums, and the cafe seating and dolphin show are upstairs (along with the turtle exhibit), allowing kids to look down on all the possibilities while taking a break for lunch or a snack.

But that’s just the practical stuff. On the fun side, the exhibits are unique compared to the usual aquarium fodder. I loved the River Scout section with its setting that transports you to a river bayou/swamp environment with clear tubes for kids to climb through to see sea life better, overhead tanks, and peep holes of fish.

The Tropical Diver section is similar in that the tanks and their inhabitants surround you on three sides: left, right, and above. Glance up at any given moment, and you might see a giant string ray gliding gracefully past, or a shark crossing overhead. Most interesting for small children are the divers in the exhibit (be sure to catch the many shows where they talk to visitors from underwater, educating on the sea life.

There’s an Ocean Voyager gallery and a Cold Water Quest, where you can watch beluga whales swim playfully. I could have sat and watched them all day. Nearby are the California sea otters and other kelp forest dwellers. When young kids get restless (or you simply tire of keeping them on task as they tour, visitors can step into a large play space with a boat to climb, tube and ball pits, and the like. My only complaint is that this play area is located right near the entrance, enticing kids then they first arrive. I imagine many parents must talk their kids into continuing into the rest of the aquarium. Better if it were located near the back of the hub.

There are animal interactions and shows throughout each day, and scheduled Dolphin Tale shows will wow…and be a great way to restore some energy after walking through the galleries for some time.

Date last visited:

February 9, 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes off of I-75/85.

Admission:

$23.95 for kids ($29.95 weekends). $28.95 for adults ($34.95 weekends). This attraction is included in Atlanta CityPASS and you’ll get the best value this way or in a Smart Destinations Atlanta card (see below).

Visit Atlanta’s “Georgia Aquarium” and 4 other attractions at a savings of up to 43% with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Hours:

10 am- 5 pm Sunday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Saturdays.

Dining:

There’s a decent cafeteria on site, though be advised that it’s as costly as all museum and aquarium cafes. The line moves fast, however, and there’s plenty of seating.

Directions:

From I-75/85, take Exit 249C Williams Street. Turn right onto Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, to 121 Baker Street NW. A parking garage is located nearby at 178 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Park there in the morning and stay in the park area all day, visiting other Centennial Olympic Park attractions.

Find other things to do around Centennial Olympic Park with kids!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Georgia Aquarium as guests, for the purpose of review. While appreciated, this hospitality did not come with expectation of a positive review.

Touring Atlanta’s World of Coca-Cola

February 28, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Stepping into Atlanta’s famous World of Coca-Cola, I didn’t know what to expect. Was this popular attraction a factory tour, a museum, or just one big ad for Coke? Turns out, it’s a little bit of all three. While it won’t be the most meaningful stop on your Atlanta intinerary with kids, it will be fun…don’t skip it!

Visitors are first led into a large room filled with Coca-Cola advertising and products from the past century (think of a menorabealia wall at Hard Rock Cafe), where a tour guide gives an overview of the company’s founder and the invention of Coke. You’re then led through to a large theater, where you watch an odd (but somewhat endearing) six minute film that’s basically one big Coke commercial (but Coke commercials aren’t the worst, right?).

You’re then let loose to explore the remaining exhibits at your own pace. You can see the vault where the secret formula for Coke is supposedly located, which includes a well-done exhibit detailing the history of Coke, and you can get a good overview of Coke marketing and programs over the years. Kids can meet the Coca-Cola polar bear, though be prepared for a line.

The best part of the World of Coke is, in our opinion, the upstairs tasting room. Filled with soda fountains offering Coke products from around the world, the tasting room allows kids (and parents) to sample over 100 types of Coke (yes, a sugar rush is involved). I really enjoyed samples from countries in Africa and Asia for their novelty.

Upon exiting World of Coke (though a large gift shop, of course), everyone is offered a free bottle of Coca-Cola, which you can take to go.

Date last visited:

February 9, 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes off of I-75/85.

Admission:

$16 for adults, $12 for kids ages 3-12. Discounts can be found using Atlanta CityPASS or a Go Select card (see below).

Visit Atlanta’s “World of Coca-Cola” and 4 more Atlanta attractions at a savings of up to 43% with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Hours:

Hours vary with season. Check website for deals, but general hours are 10 am-6:30 pm.

Directions:

Find other things to do with kids in and around Centennial Olympic Park!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced World of Coke as guests, for the purpose of review. While appreciated, this hospitality did not come with expectation of a positive review.

What to do with kids around Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta

February 25, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

What used to be an area tourists rarely had reason to visit transformed into an epicenter of Atlanta family fun upon the creation of Centennial Olympic Park for the 1996 Olympic Games. Now, kids have their pick of nearby attractions and outdoor play areas, as well as restaurants and lodging. What to do in Centennial Olympic Park with kids:

Enjoy playgrounds and fountains:

When the weather is warm, enjoy the park’s two playgrounds (one is full accessible for all abilities) and many splash fountains and reflecting ponds. Near the CNN Center, find plenty of outdoor seating, and throughout the park, find wide lawns and open spaces, as well as unique sculptures.

Explore the CNN Center:

Atlanta’s CNN Center is the CNN network’s world headquarters. Take a tour of the studios with older kids, or simply stop in to check out the Cartoon Network Store or Atlanta Braves store with kids of all ages.

Spend a few hours (at least) at Pemberton Place:

Home to both the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, this square also houses outdoor seating, street performers, and dining. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the best we’ve experienced in the country (allow for at least three hours), and the World of Coke is an Atlanta institution, offering fun museum-quality exhibits and a huge cola tasting room (just be prepared for plenty of advertising)!

Grab lunch almost anywhere, including:

Inside the CNN Center
In the park (burger and sandwich shop)
At Pemberton Place (indoor/outdoor hot dog and salad location)
Inside the Georgia Aquarium (family-friendly cafeteria)

Where to stay near Centennial Olympic Park with kids: The Omni Atlanta is located right in the CNN Center. Very impressive! If you want to be steps away from the center and the park, this is where to be. If you don’t mind a five block walk and want lower rates and a better pool, opt for the Sheraton Atlanta.

Sheraton Atlanta: where to stay in Atlanta with kids

February 21, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

The best feature of the Sheraton Atlanta is the pool. No. make that the hotel layout around the pool. Comprised of a huge glass-ceilinged atrium with plants and Southern style design, the pool area is located at the center of the Sheraton, right past the lobby on the second floor. A large free-form heated pool and hot tub are situated around a tasteful and almost beautiful indoor setting. The rooms surrounding it all feature miniature patios that open directly onto the pool area, and include small tables and chairs, enabling parents to sit right outside their rooms and share a bottle of wine, snacks, or read a book or paper while the kids swim.

Right next to the pool deck is the fitness center (also central from the pool side rooms), and overlooking the pool deck on the third floor are two restaurants: Fandangles is finer dining, and Collage is casual. The Fandangles patio seating overlooks the pool area. I love how easy it is for families to enjoy the pool and relax with poolside rooms! (Third floor pool view rooms include balconies overlooking the pool instead of patios.)

Besides the awesome pool and layout, there’s nothing very flashy about this Sheraton (which is a Starwood property…be sure to give the front desk your Starwood membership number if you have one). The hotel does not include a free breakfast, but Club Rooms do include a continental breakfast, and room rates are only slightly higher. Otherwise, The Deli is located in the restaurant area, and offers coffee, juices, donuts, pastries, and cereal and milk. Room service is also available.

The Sheraton is only approximately five blocks from Centennial Olympic Park and the CNN Center area, and only two blocks from the Peachtree Center shopping and MARTA station, as well as from Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta. There’s a concierge desk and bell services, and taxi cabs are easy to get our front. Note: if location directly adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park is important to you, you may want to look into Omni Atlanta.

Date last visited:

February 2013

Room amenities:

It’s definitely worth the slight upgrade for a pool-side room. Standard rooms are on the small side, but with the patio and pool, it will hardly matter. Bathrooms are also small, so prepare yourself for that. Rooms include WiFi you need to pay for, Starbucks coffee, comfortable beds, and robes. The one thing Sheraton Atlanta rooms really lack are mini fridges, but I’m told these will be added to all rooms later this year. This is good news, as the lack of fridges can be a deal breaker for me!

Room rates:

At the time of my visit, room rates started at $135 per night.

Directions:

The hotel is located on Courtland Street, right off I-75. From I-75 going south, follow into Downtown Atlanta. Take exit number 249A Courtland Street. You will merge onto Courtland Street going one way. The hotel will be on the left just after the third traffic, crossing Andrew Young International Boulevard. The hotel entrance will be the second driveway on the left.

Parking is only $22 per night for self-parking, and $29 per night for valet. Given the valet prices I saw across the city, this price felt very reasonable.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced a hosted stay at the Sheraton Atlanta, for the purpose of review. While the hospitality is appreciated, it does not come with expectation of a positive review.

A stay at Grand Hyatt Seattle with kids

January 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

On our last trip to Seattle, we stayed at both the Hyatt Olive 8 and the Grand Hyatt Seattle. How do they compare? You can read in our review of the Hyatt Olive 8 that the 8 is extremely eco-friendly, and its indoor pool and hot tub make it a hit with kids. While the Grand Hyatt does not have a pool, its location is (slightly) more central to Pike Place Market (only four blocks), and it’s even closer to downtown high-end shopping (especially fun to view during the festive holiday season). Families can easily make either Hyatt their Seattle base for vacation or city touring, and expect to be pampered in either.

Amenities and Rooms:

For our family of five, we fit nicely in two adjoining rooms at the Hyatt. Families of four can easily fit in one. One of our two rooms was a corner suite, a nice addition with a sitting room area, but not necessary to our overall comfort. One of the best features of the room is the floor to ceiling windows: our view was a picture perfect vista of the Space Needle and skyline. The Grand Hyatt also features oversized bathtubs, which the Olive 8 does not…a welcome addition on rainy, dreary days. Each bathroom also includes a shower, and like all Hyatt’s, the Grand Hyatt Seattle is eco-conscious (though not to the extreme of the Olive 8): bath towels and sheets are changed only when needed.

One caveat: each room has a coffee maker and coffee and tea service, but mini-fridges are filled with pay-per-item snacks and liquor. In fact, using them to store your own foods results in a $10 fee. If you have items to store, a separate mini fridge will be brought up to you, but this is still an inconvenience. On the plus side, the kids love Hyatt bathrobes, and those at the Grand Hyatt do not disappoint.

Fitness Center:

The Grand Hyatt Seattle’s fitness center was closed for renovation at the time of our visit, but on-site staff informed me they have a hot tub and sauna, but no indoor pool. If that’s a deal breaker for your kids, book Hyatt Olive 8 instead.

Dining:

Within the same building as the Hyatt is a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (too spendy for my family), but also a sushi place, a Starbucks, and a marketplace with some convenience foods (such as juice, milk, and other necessities while traveling with young kids). We opted to go here (with the adjacent Starbucks) for breakfast.

Tip! Save up to 50% on Seattle’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Date last visited:

December 2012

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, rooms started at $181 for a standard double (though double beds are not guaranteed). We have heard, however, that upgrades are common.

Directions:

The Grand Hyatt is located at 721 Pine Street, Seattle. It’s easily accessed from either I-5 or I-90 (five minutes from either).

My family and I stayed at Grand Hyatt Seattle on a hosted stay, for the purpose of review.