Watermark Hotel: Baton Rouge Boost

Entrance

Watermark Hotel

150 3^rd Avenue

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

225-408-3200

www.watermarkbr.com

By Jane Feehan

The Watermark Hotel joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection of boutique hotels in early 2017, a few months after historic flooding hit South Louisiana. Located in downtown Baton Rouge at the site of the old Louisiana Trust and Savings Bank (1927) the Watermark’s distinction lies in its stunning décor.  The touch of a master decorator can be seen everywhere, down to the table settings in The Gregory, its dining room named for New Orleans artist Angela Gregory. The magnificent entranceway or foyer pays homage to the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 with face-to-face murals of Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte, parties to that historic land transaction.

Elevator decor 

In its short history, the Watermark has attracted a loyal following that fills up the lobby bar (most uncomfortable bar stools, the only flawed decorative appointment) and its more comfortable sofa and chair seating areas. A choice of appetizers, small plates and burgers top visitor choices for casual get togethers. Special occasions and holidays draw local visitors to the more formal Gregory—an open room that flows into the bar. The chef works hard to please customers and will take suggestions. Staff will change up dishes at request. For a coffee shop setting with counter service, visit Milford’s on Third off the lobby. Over-sized sandwiches for about $10 command ooohs and ahhhs.

The rooms, as everything else, are beautiful, if not disparate in size and comfort, depending on the floor and location. I stayed in three different ones, different floors. A caveat: depending on festivities at a nearby park and the time of the year for mirth at the bars on Third Street, noise can be a problem into the wee hours. Get a room above the fourth floor (at least). Unfortunately, the best views of the Mississippi River are from rooms facing Third. Also, rooms vary widely in size. A corner room is ideal of course … and grand. My last room was a small one, which I have no problem with, but the window was covered to block sight of adjacent roofs, which I would have gladly taken over the block out pane.

Room with a pane (!) instead of a view

Parking runs about $20 a day but oftentimes street or lot parking is available for much less—something to keep in mind if planning a wedding or other occasion in one of the meeting rooms or for a long stay. There are plenty of places to walk to, including the river with its pleasant seating, the old Louisiana capitol building and one of the best restaurants in town, Strube’s. The Watermark Hotel does much for historic downtown Baton Rouge; it also gives the entire city some much-needed flair.

View of the Mississippi River from a room

Old Louisiana Capitol, now a museum

Tags: Marriott hotels, Marriott Autograph Collection, Baton Rouge hotels, Watermark Hotel, Louisiana travel, best hotel in Baton Rouge

Tallest hotel in Western Hemisphere - Marriott Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park

Marriott Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park

1717 Broadway (entrance at 321 W 54 St)

New York, NY 10019
212-324-3774

By Jane Feehan

The Marriott Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park towers over other hotels in New York City; it also stakes claim as the tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere. It took nearly a decade to build its 65 stories with spectacular views when it opened late December 2013. Adjoining Courtyard is part of the new hotel complex and guests share common areas with those of the Residence Inn.

Don’t expect the typical Residence Inn suite.  Many rooms are quite small (especially those in room

numbers ending in 3; rooms ending in the number 4 are more spacious) but all accommodate travelers with compact kitchens. A small fridge, microwave, dishwasher, dishes and cookware are available. I asked for a hot plate for a long stay and they delivered it within minutes of my request. If hotel room cooking is not your pleasure, food delivery is quite popular in New York City and there are, according to one restaurant owner, 24 restaurants on two blocks nearby.

Like most new hotels, this Marriott (a franchise) has a few facility problems to work out. Guests have told me their air conditioning unit or refrigerator had to be repaired or replaced. Air conditioning in my room went out until a part was quickly changed. Fire alarms went off a few times the first month it was open and a very small electrical fire during my stay was cause for an evacuation of several floors. Service problems in their two great rooms have yet to be settled but it is coming together; staff is extremely responsive and engineers are available around the clock.

The hotel provides a laundry room, a rarity in New York City hotels, and comes equipped with plenty of washers and driers. A breakfast buffet and full bar with a light menu is also available. Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park also has an outstanding fitness center with a stunning vista of the city skyline. Located on Broadway, this hotel lies at the epicenter of the theater district. Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Central Park are each a 10 minute walk away; so is boisterous Times Square. Business or leisure travelers will be pleased with this new addition to Marriott; the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park lies within a short distance of  the best the city has to offer.


Tags: New York City Hotels, Marriott hotels, Marriott hotel reviews, Residence Inn, Jane Feehan, tallest hotel in Western Hemisphere

Marriott's Renaissance Barcelona ... a great way to begin or end a trip to Spain or Mediterranean cruise

Renaissance Barcelona

Pau Claris

122 Barcelona, Barcelona 08009

www.marriott.com/hotels/restaurants/bcndm-renaissance-barcelona-hotel/

+34 932 723810

By Jane Feehan

Marriott’s Renaissance Barcelona lies within walking distance of touristy Las Ramblas but far enough away from its nightly noisy revelry.  It was recently renovated and exudes an understated contemporary ambiance. We asked for an upgrade because many hotel rooms in Europe are small and do not have twin or queen beds.

It was worth the 120 Euros extra we paid. The beds were large and comfortable, the bathroom spacious

and modern. If you don’t travel with a power converter, they do have a few available. This will make those happy who depend on a hair dryer every day but travel with the 110 volt model.

Their dining room serves a beautiful breakfast buffet with an array of breads, sweet rolls, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and typical American fare of eggs and bacon. This restaurant does not serve dinner but they do offer room service and will deliver a meal to the bar, which is what we did. Many guests are Americans awaiting cruise ship departures, so the atmosphere is quite festive. The bar staffers knocked themselves out on

Halloween to provide a good time for all.

A number of inexpensive cafés for breakfast and restaurants serving dinner line nearby streets. Most establishments close down in the late afternoon to reopen at 7 or 8 p.m. El Corte Ingles, a large department store similar to Macy's but more expansive (there’s even a hardware section), sits a few blocks away along Paseo de Gracia, a main thoroughfare leading to Las Ramblas. It does not close mid day.

If heading to Las Ramblas be careful with wallets and purses; it hosts the largest number of pick pockets of any city in Europe. Be sure to stop at the open air market, the large supermercado off Las Ramblas. Fantastic seafood restaurants lie along its perimeter and throughout.

The only complaint I have about the Renaissance Barcelona is the checkout process. A large crowd descended upon the lobby desk at the same time and only one bellman was there to help with luggage. We took our own luggage down after we located a cart.  This was very inconvenient as we were carrying four large suitcases. Barcelona is a cruise city; this hotel serves many cruise passengers. By now the checkout process should be down to a science. Last impressions can be as important as first ones … That said, I was happy to see my Marriott Rewards account credited with the stay and points soon after. Their staff is excellent.

A taxi ride from the airport to the hotel runs about 25 Euros; it's about the same fare from the hotel to the port.

Tags: Barcelona hotels, Marriott hotels, cruise hotels, Celebrity cruises, Carnival European cruises 

Renaissance Barcelona Fira - vibrant modernity, stark beauty

Renaissance Barcelona Fira

Plaza Europa 50-52, 08902

L’Hospitalet de Llobregat

Barcelona, Spain

By Jane Feehan

We made a reservation to stay in Barcelona for one night to decompress from the hustle bustle of the Celebrity Equinox Mediterranean cruise (see directory/labels for several posts about the cruise). Our hotel choice, the Renaissance Barcelona Fira, proved to be a good one.

This sleek, contemporary hotel, in a new business area of the city that includes a convention center and two-level shopping mall, sits halfway

between the popular Las Ramblas and the airport. A 10 to 15 minute cab ride will get you to either place. We chose Fira because of its proximity to the airport. A train station lies across from the hotel, which provides service to the center of the city.

The austere but modern lobby of Renaissance Barcelona Fira bestowed only a hint of what our room was to be. Located on the 24^th floor, our upgraded suite was drenched in white bedspreads, white furniture including end tables that also served as lighting, and white, flowing curtains that separated the room into sections for the bathroom, sleeping and sitting areas. And about that unique oval-shaped window … it was something from the Flintstones cartoon imagery of the future. The attractive light wood floor brought everything back to earth. This was a fun room. 

The hallways were open air, yet covered; doors to rooms were nearly inextinguishable except for their electronic access plates because corridor walls appeared as an uninterrupted span of attractive metal sheeting.

Dining floor center of building

We decided to walk to the mall but were almost seduced by the dramatic rooftop pool deck with its stunning view of Barcelona. The pool is seldom open in November so we headed over to the mall after taking photos. The shopping center is just like home. In other words, don’t wait until coming here to buy a trinket with a Spanish splash or Barcelona memory. It’s very American with stores such as Game Stop, and sports shops with clothing bearing the names of American colleges, cities, and sports teams.

Lunch was served between 1 and 3 p.m. at the hotel; it is often the biggest meal of the day in this country. Don’t expect sandwiches and salad fare. Our four course lunch, including a glass of wine, was a

seafood delight of lobster casserole, and grilled salmon and vegetables. The fig bread was superb.  Dinner was not even a passing thought. We slipped into an early, blissful slumber, well-rested for the morning flight home but not before after sampling a wonderful breakfast buffet of Spanish dishes that included eggs, a variety of dried meats, superb cheeses, and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.

Renaissance Barcelona Fira credited my Marriott account with the proper points within two days after I returned home, quite speedy for a Europe stay. I’d recommend the Fira for business or vacation travel.

(There is no concierge level for breakfast or afternoon snacks but the hotel will give you a pass for a free breakfast in their main dining room.)

Lunch - no sandwiches here

Tags: Marriott hotels in Barcelona, Renaissance Barcelona Fira review, Celebrity cruises, Jane Feehan, Barcelona

Marriott Chicago Naperville

Marriott Chicago Naperville

1801 Naperville Blvd.

Naperville, IL 60563

630-505-4900

www.chicagomarriottnaperville.com

By Jane Feehan

(I write mostly about Florida but my travels are also topics.)

Renovated within the last two years, the 400-room Marriott Chicago Naperville looms large in a landscape filled with corporate campuses. This is a bustling hotel filled during the week with business travel warriors and on weekends with event attendees and wedding guests.

Food is probably the reason so many weddings receptions and events are held here. It’s above average and that includes the complimentary fare presented in the concierge room – outstanding soups, theme nights of Mexican delights, sushi Tuesdays and more. The concierge lounge lays out the best food here of all the Marriott hotels I've visited.

A 24-hour fitness center with plenty of equipment and an indoor pool top off the amenities.  

Historic, quaint downtown Naperville lies less than three miles away along the DuPage River. It’s filled with small shops and top notch restaurants. Chicago is about 30 miles northeast. A weekend round trip by train is about $7.50 - a bargain (ask for weekender fare). 

Tags: Marriott Chicago area hotels, Marriott, Naperville, IL.

Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel ... Business or pleasure

Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel

1617 SE 17^th Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

954-626-1700

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllbr-renaissance-fort-lauderdale-cruise-port-hotel/

See below for restaurants nearby

Sitting across from the entrance to Port Everglades, Marriott’s Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel is the place to stay before or after ocean travel. It’s also a good choice for those who have business in downtown Fort Lauderdale. A resort it’s not.

View of downtown Fort Lauderdale from concierge level

A pool sits close to the 17^th Street Causeway, separated from the busy road by hedges but it serves its purpose for cooling off or swimming some laps. Save the resort lounging for the ship’s deck or Caribbean destination. Refurbished in 2008, the hotel’s accommodations are clean, bright, comfortable, and appropriately tropical.  For those reluctant to ditch the digital habit while vacationing, computers are available near the lobby.

Leisure travelers crowd the Renaissance on weekends when cruise ships come and go, filling Bistro 17, the restaurant, to capacity during breakfast hours. This places a strain on seating and service but most don’t seem to mind, especially when they're in a cruise state of mind.  Morning buffet is typical Marriott fare: omelets to order, hot and cold cereal, scrambled eggs, sausage, and sweet rolls.

Staff is experienced and accommodating. Concierge room/floor available. Self or valet parking for about $20. Restaurants and shopping within walking distance.

Restaurants nearby:

Kelly's Landing: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/06/kellys-landing-fort-lauderdale-ice-cold.html

Pelican Landing (for lunch with a beautiful view from the dock, Pier 66): http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2010/09/pelican-landing-at-pier-66-mega-yachts.html

Bimini Boatyard http://biminiboatyard.com/

Dough Boys Pizza - http://doughboysfla.com/

Market 17 (expensive) - http://www.market17.net/

Tags: Fort Lauderdale hotels, Hotels near Port Everglades, cruise hotel, Marriott hotels, Renaissance hotel

Fort Lauderdale's Shining Star: Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa

 


Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa
3030 Holiday Drive

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

954-525-4000 (Restaurant reservations)

800-222-6543 – Hotel reservations

www.marriottharborbeach.com

Sitting on the best beach in Fort Lauderdale, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa is one of this city’s shining stars. 

A memorable family vacation includes good food, clean, sparkling beaches (if it’s a beachside hotel), activities for kids, pampering, privacy, attentive staff, and, of course, relaxation. It’s all here at Harbor Beach.

An ocean side view shows off magnificent cruise ships and yachts entering and leaving Port Everglades. Rooms come with a comfortable (not large but ample) balcony and a sliding glass door that can be left ajar at night; guests can drift off to sleep to the sound of waves. A room with a west view offers a panorama of Fort Lauderdale, including the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s as picturesque as the ocean side.

The palm tree lined pool area presents comfortable lounge chairs, private cabanas and supervised activities for kids. There’s even an adult pool adjacent to a fitness room that provides an ocean view. A cool, quiet, pool side spa delivers an exceptional and regenerative experience.

To top it all off, the three restaurants (Riva, Sea Level and 3030 Ocean) at the Marriott Harbor Beach serve up some of the best food in Fort Lauderdale for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s why locals, including me, patronize the eateries here.

Every reason for a trip to Fort Lauderdale is at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa. 

Service: outstanding. Copyright All rights reserved. Jane Feehan

Tags: Fort Lauderdale vacation, Fort Lauderdale spa, Fort Lauderdale fine dining, Fort Lauderdale family vacation.

Marriott New Orleans at French Quarter

Marriott New Orleans
555 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-581-1000
888-364-1200
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/msyla-new-orleans-marriott/

By Jane Feehan

Marriott New Orleans, located on the edge of the French Quarter, is a hub of activity. And, many rooms in its 41 stories offer spectacular views of the Mississippi River. But if you’re looking for luxury, it’s not in standard accommodations.

We stayed on the 21st floor, concierge level. The rooms were tired looking and on the small side, which I can deal with, but the bathroom was outdated and, sorry to say – moldy in spots. It’s time for a good cleaning – and a renovation. Also only one bar of soap was left for two of us; I had to call for more soap and towels.

That said, the food in the concierge level was good and the staff, though short in number during the busy breakfast hours, was outstanding.

The best part about this hotel is its proximity to restaurants, night spots, street entertainers and the trolley line to other parts of the city. If driving to the Marriott New Orleans, plan on spending about $30 a day for parking (par with other cities) with valet service.

I didn’t try their restaurants – too many to sample in the Quarter. I did order coffee through room service and it was delivered fast. ©Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway

New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway
3838 N. Causeway Boulevard
Metairie, LA 70002
504-836-5253
866-882-4377

By Jane Feehan

This Marriott property, best for business travel, lies at the foot of the causeway over Lake Pontchartrain. It’s located within a business center and is pretty quiet over the weekend. If you’re a traveler with Platinum Marriott Reward status expecting access to the concierge room on a Sunday night, it may not be open because few guests are registered at that time. They’ll compensate with a coupon good for a choice of appetizers from the bar.

That said, accommodations and facilities such as the fitness center are excellent; rooms and the lobby seem to be recently updated and are very attractive. Bar 38 is busy on week nights with business travelers. This hotel is close to a good shopping center, a Whole Foods and a great restaurant, Andrea’s (see my review), just a few blocks away. I had a room on the 16th floor with a fairly good vista of the lake, which is impressive. My photo isn’t great, but it gives an idea of the view. This is a pleasant hotel with an excellent staff extending New Orleans hospitality. Parking: $10 self parking daily, $15 for valet daily. About six miles from the French Quarter.