travel brilliantly with Marriott Hotels

If you follow Mel on Instagram Twitter, you're probably already aware that we had a little sleepover with Marriott Hotels last week. We laughed, we cried, we brushed each others hair - it was like that scene out of Grease. Just kidding - but we did get the wonderful opportunity to stay at the Marriott New York Downtown, all thanks to Marriott Hotels, to Travel Brilliantly and experience their mobile check-in/check-out services.
And guys.. we were pretty blown away.

On the day of our arrival, we were able to check-in to our room via the Marriott Hotels mobile app, all while Mel was still in a business meeting across town! We plugged in what time we would be arriving and was notified that the room was all set, and all we had to do was go and pick up our key. Guys - this is huge. Easy check-in's? We're all for it. There is nothing worse than arriving to your hotel after a long day of traveling, only to find out that your room is not ready yet. Brownie points.

I was given a junior suite, in which the photos pretty much speak for themselves. Spacious, cozy, and sort of made me feel like I was in a mini studio apartment. Lets just say I would totally not mind living there at all. Adopt me, Marriott?

Also - lets talk about this view, shall we? It was gorgeous, and definitely added to the experience of it all. I can only imagine how someone traveling to NYC would feel opening their shades to this. I'm sure it would be a highlight to their vacation, seeing as it was one of the highlights to my 1-night stay.

After settling in, we met up with the Marriott Hotels team to take a little tour of the building and learn more about Travel Brilliantly, as well as some fun features they have in stored for their customers. I was so impressed by the creative thinking that goes on behind-the-scenes, and it definitely made me appreciate this powerhouse much more.
After also being treated to a little cocktail reception with a few other bloggers, we uber-ed (can we use Uber as a verb now?) on over with a friend to The Flatiron Room. We sipped on some whiskey, chatted up about our eventful days, and bopped back and forth to the slow jams of the jazz performers on stage. If you've never visited The Flatiron Room, I highly recommend checking it out next time you're in NYC!
Three whiskey snifters later, we scheduled a pick-up back to the hotel via my Uber app. If you follow Mel on Twitter you already know my love affair with Uber, but if not, its seriously one of those "how did I ever live without this" sort of thing. The convenience of it all cannot be beat, and every driver I have ever rode with is always super professional and sweet. We will be Uber gals for life.

As if our stay wasn't already going great, the next morning I was treated to an amazing room service breakfast that entailed some delicious yogurt fruit, plus rice crispy treat french toast. Yes, you read that right. Rice-crispy-treat-french-toast.

Overall, we absolutely loved our stay at the Marriott Downtown and am really impressed with what they have going on there. Not only does Marriott Hotels strive to provide you with impeccable service, but they are the first in the industry to introduce mobile check-in/check-out services. With it being 2014, and a complete mobile world, I think it is great that they are keeping up with the times and innovations of technology. Impressive stuff, Marriott Hotels!

*Thank you to Marriott Hotels and Uber for providing us with a complimentary room, as well as the tools for a fun night out in the city!