Monica Swanson

the grommom

Our Staycation at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beachwalk (and Luke’s State Championship)

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Some of my favorite memories of childhood were family vacations. Everything from our first trips to Hawaii, to the most simple camping trips stand out in my mind as the most fun and memorable family times. I want that for my kids, too. But Hawaii is a long ways from the rest of the world, so most of the time a “staycation” is the best we can do…

Dave, Luke and Levi Pool Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk

We used to love to take the whole family downtown for Waikiki staycations.  We would pack into a hotel room and everyone would share beds and maybe one kid would be on a mat (that we schlepped along) and the kids would get so excited.  By morning Dave and I were pretty miserable, but the kids were still so happy.

And then our kids started growing up.  They got bigger.  They valued things like personal space, and well… personal space.  And now, the mention of, “Let’s get a hotel in Waikiki” gets all of one kid (Levi, 5) excited.  The other boys are like, “No! I can’t sleep well packed into a hotel room!”  “I’m not sharing a bed with my brother!”  “No thanks, I’m staying home!” and so on.  (Pause for a moment of sad reflection for the good old days.)  Plus, hotel stays = eating out all of your meals which just gets ridiculously expensive for a family of six.  Even in the old days we would choose the cheapest hotels possible, and then get there to find a creepy room, and the worst pool ever, you know the plain, cold ones on some remote deck…in the shade.  I’m not even kidding! The worst were the trips where we got to the pool to find it taped off and “under construction.” (Insert toddlers crying and mom and dad crying and everyone crying.)

So a few years ago we all but quit doing Waikiki Staycations.  Sad, but true.

UNTIL NOW.  Embassy Suites offered to host us during Luke’s State Championship contest in Waikiki last month.  And now I’m afraid I am officially ruined from ever staying in normal “hotels” again.

Have you ever stayed in an Embassy Suites by HiltonTM?  If so, you know what I’m talking about.  If not, then let me tell you a little bit about it…

The Embassy Suites by HiltonTM is an entirely different picture.  They have it all figured out.  They offer two-room suites with a separate living area.  We had two bathrooms (hello, personal space!)  and three televisions.  Embassy Suites had a very welcoming, friendly environment all the way around.  We loved being greeted with a fluted glass of Hawaiian passion-guava nectar at the check-in desk.  I told the boys it was because I was important and they believed me for a half a second until they saw every other guest checking in with the same reception, haha.

But wait, there’s more:  (And yes this is a sponsored post, but I mean this with all of my heart — just ask all of my friends that I gushed to about this.)  Embassy Suites always includes a free made-to-order breakfast with cooked-to-order eggs and other specialties, a Greek yogurt and toppings bar, and local favorites too.

kids breakfast Embassy Suites

For the record, that ^^ was NOT my plate…(lest you judge)

And catch this:  (no one believed me when I told them this part) the Embassy Suites by HiltonTM offers a TWO HOUR happy hour every evening with snacks and drinks by the pool.

(I wouldn’t lie about this stuff.)  

I think we call that a win-win.

Pool fun Embassy Suites Waikiki

We were especially excited about the location of our staycation, because the Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk is right on the end of town closest to Ala Moana Bowls where Luke had his State Championship surf contest.  We absolutely LOVE the beach walk in Waikiki. It’s been redone in the recent years, and there are great shops (well, we’re partial to Quiksilver, but there are many others), restaurants, and a fun beach walk with fountains and a great ambiance with torches and white lights.  If you’re on that end of town, I also highly recommend trying out Buho Cantina, a trendy little rooftop Mexican restaurant (that has plenty of space for large groups like we tend to have during surf contests. :)).

Surf groms at Buho

If you’ve ever been to Waikiki before, then you already know that the ABC store is a required visit.  (Don’t ask what Levi is proudly biting into, because surely a good mom would not buy her son a candy bar at the ABC store.  And if she did, Dad certainly shouldn’t find out about it.)

Luke and Levi Waikiki

Levi fun waikiki beach walkLevi fountain play at Waikiki Beach walkYou literally step out of the hotel and you’re smack in the middle of fun!Levi and Luke at Embassy Suites
This hotel is not on the ocean, but it’s a short walk down the street (one long block) to miles of beach. Easy!  We spent the majority of our two days at the surf contest, but looked forward to returning to the hotel and beach walk for the afternoon and evenings.

Dave and LukeIMG_8064Luke pool ES WaikikiMonica and Levi Poolside Embassy Suites Waikiki

Embassy Suites by HiltonTM is clearly committed to providing family with a great experience, and they definitely won me over.  There are a lot of ways they are working to support and refresh parents, like their “travel hacks program,” to help parents learn about ways to make family travel easier with all kinds of great travel tips. If you’re considering a hotel stay in Waikiki, I recommend trying out the Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk.

SURF CONTEST RESULTS:  To put the icing on the cake for our staycation, Luke surfed through 6 heats to make it to the final four in Hawaii at his state contest.  He took 2nd place overall!  (A mere .2 (point two!) separated him and his buddy Diego, who won the contest.)  We are so proud of our boy, and are now looking ahead to two National contests in California in June.

Thanks for traveling along with us, friends.  And, thank you again Embassy Suites by HiltonTM for a fabulous getaway!

XO, Monica

Click here for special offers from Embassy Suites by HiltonTM.

 

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Aloha, Monica
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  4. I would love a mini getaway because we have not had a vacation in 5 years and I need to get away from all the crazy things we have going on with the DIY renovations we are doing!

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  18. Me and my man really need some time together on a “get-away” concentrating on something other than bills.

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  38. Everyone needs a treat of some kind and many times you just can’t afford either the money or the time for a full fledged vacation. A “Staycation” gives you that feeling of something special without the worries of the budget and you know that you can get back to your real life quickly if necessary. I haven’t had a vacation of any kind in a couple of years and I would love to win this for a few days away.

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  54. ha! i’m a fifth grade teacher and school is out in…um….9 days!!!! not that i’m counting. i’ve been teaching for 15 years now and thin i can use a mini vaca with my family.

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  59. I don’t have organized sports…I have doctor appointments and co-pays. (Seriously, we’ve been spending about $1,200 a month on medical expenses this year.) I am exhausted and desperately need a vacation.

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