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Are We There Yet? Surviving & Thriving on the Road with Residence Inn

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July 14, 2015
Summer season is upon us, which means lazy days on the beach, exploring new cities and going on adventures with the kids in tow. And the epitome of the American summer family travel experience begins and ends…in the car. Road trips can be memorable and fun, but the phrase, “getting there is half the battle” takes on a whole new meaning when boredom, hunger and traffic set in. To combat some of these challenges, Residence Inn by Marriott – a brand that is committed to making family travel easier – lends expertise on how to thrive while on the road this summer:



Snack-pack alternatives: Banana Bites
Being stocked with snacks during car trips is a must (having a hungry 3-year-old never ends well!). The challenge is to strike a balance between nutrition, taste and ease. Especially for young ones with a sweet tooth – after all, a “healthy treat” has long been viewed as an oxymoron. For a nutritious alternative to cookies, Residence Inn’s 2015 Resident Mom of the Year, Tamera Mowry-Housley, offers a peek into her personal pantry with a kid-friendly banana bites recipe made with just five ingredients. Check out this instructional video in which the actress/producer demonstrates how these bites can be prepared quickly at home or in a hotel suite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXH96yf1H_c

And speaking of snack-packs, here is a tip, courtesy of Tamera who is mom to two-year-old Aden (and expecting a baby girl this month). For summer road trips, rather than using ice packs in your cooler, use frozen water bottles so that you have a nice cool beverage to enjoy when it melts.



Maximize time
Take advantage of accommodations that offer shortcuts. For example, Residence Inn hotels feature the comforts of home, kicked up a notch. With free grocery delivery service and complimentary hot breakfast with great options, families can focus their attention on the important things, like discovering new places and adventures. Additionally, Residence Inn offers spacious suites with full kitchens, free Internet, swimming pools and laundry facilities, so families can stick to a routine and uncover extra time for exploration.

Families who visit during weekdays can take advantage of the newly unveiled Residence Inn Mix, a program that offers a fresh approach to “social hours” with local culinary experiences, and upgraded beer/wine offerings (for the adults in the group!).



Squeeze in “me time”
Traveling with kids is rewarding and fun – but it can also be intense. Residence Inn’s spacious suites come in various configurations, including studio, one-and two-bedroom suites so everyone in the family can have their own space. When the kids go to sleep in their bedroom, you can simply close the door and relax in the living area, perhaps to sneak in a yoga stretch, enjoy a bottle of wine or unwind with a movie.

With nearly 700 properties in the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond, Residence Inn is the leader in the extended-stay lodging segment and the perfect stop along your road trip this summer.