Do you need a getaway but just can't get away? It happens! Here's an option for an Atlanta "staycation" that I highly recommend. The price is right, the service is unmatched, and your kids will have an absolute blast.
The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead offers a Family Getaway Package on Friday nights that's perfect for locals looking to do something unique with their kids. Once you check in to the hotel, odds are, you won't have any reason to go back out.
I wrote recently about the amazing Sunday Brunch at The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead. With this package, you get something quite different! Check in on a Friday afternoon, and make sure your kids get their passports for the "self-guided scavenger hunt" at the hotel. They will also be given wristbands allowing them to have free ice cream at hotel restaurants and through room service (not to mention the bands make them VICs - very important children!). Head up to your room and relax a bit. If you have a deluxe room. you can choose to have two double beds. There's a 37" flat panel TV so the kids can watch TV On Demand and you can take a nap (well, that's what I did...).
The real fun starts in the evening. The kids can start their scavenger hunt at anytime. For example, they'll be told to head to the fitness center and count the treadmills to have their passports stamped. And there are treats to be had along the way too. But I don't want to spoil it for you!
Your destination for the evening is the hotel pool, where every Friday night guests are treated to a family "Dive-In" Movie. We opted to order dinner by the pool, cuddled up in some cozy lounge chairs (okay that was me- the boys were swimming of course). At dusk, a huge screen was set up, and it was movie time! Our movie that evening was Mr. Popper's Penguins. And while I relaxed in my lounge chair and spa robe, the kids were given inflatable rafts, rubber duckies and other toys to keep them occupied. And then the popcorn arrived! Bags and bags of popcorn. I can't say enough about the staff who put this together, and catered to every child (and adult's) need.
We didn't even make it through the entire movie, because...the package includes a free guestroom movie too. And the boys hadn't had their ice cream yet - they were on a mission! So, we returned to our suite - you can also choose an executive suite, with a bedroom for parents, and in the living room, a sofa that converts into a bed plus another large flat panel TV (and powder room). We pulled out the couch, found a movie for the kids, and I called down to room service and requested their "free ice cream". That really was a frozen treat! It arrived on a beautiful tray with a rose, and the ice cream was topped with fresh, frozen whipped cream. As you can see, the boys were loving it.
We stayed up pretty late, but I closed the drapes and the kids slept late too. Checkout's not until noon, and breakfast is served until 10:30, so we relaxed and took our time getting up in the morning. Breakfast is also included in the package, and while we could have opted for room service, I decided to brave taking the boys to the Cafe. That proved to be a very wise decision! There were plenty of kids there, and mine were treated like princes (they even behaved pretty well, I must admit). We were told to enjoy the buffet if we'd like - and so we did. (On Saturday mornings there is a more traditional buffet - no champagne and caviar. But it was delicious and plentiful nonetheless!)
I'll say again that the service at The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead is like nothing I've experienced at any other hotel. This was Jack's 4th birthday weekend, and he made sure to let people know it! So, breakfast was followed by what else - complimentary cake and ice cream! Not to mention Jack was given a gift bag full of furry stuffed animals to take home. And many well wishes from the incredibly accommodating wait staff.
Sadly, after breakfast and cake, it was time to go. We checked out, and headed into town for a visit to the Center for Puppetry Arts. Did I mention 0vernight valet parking is included in the package as well?
This is definitely an experience that we won't forget, and I'm sure we'll go back for another special family occasion. A standard room is $279 for the Family Getaway Package. That includes the scavenger hunt, all you can eat ice cream for your very important kids, the dive-in movie experience with popcorn, surprise treats & pool toys, free guestroom movie, overnight valet parking AND the American Breakfast for two adults and two children (in the Cafe or in your room). How much do you spend on dinner and a movie (with popcorn & snacks) for a family of four? Think about it....Let's just say I'd rather skip a couple traditional family movie nights and save up for another night at The Ritz! (If you decide to splurge on the suite, the rate is $499 for the package.)
So, if you can't get out of town, consider staying put, at The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead.
Disclosure: We were guests of the hotel in order to provide this review. All opinions are my own.
