Our hired car finally parked to rest after hours of driving from Los Angeles to Santa Clara (with an unexpected sightseeing detour that involved spying on lazing seals on the beach). I hopped off the car to stretch my weary bones. Luna had been whinging most of the ride, and I was totally drained from hushing her all throughout. She absolutely despised being strapped in the baby car seat.
It was mid-spring last year when the hubby and I, with our seven month-old daughter in tow, flew to U.S. for a business trip and an interview that paved the way for fulfilling our dream of doing a round-the-world trip. Since it was an official business trip our plane tickets, car rental and accommodation were paid for. Hence we chose a nonstop flight from the Philippines, a Ford with a sunroof, and a room in Marriott Santa Clara Hotel.
Abusive it may seem, how we basked in sponsored luxury, but you see… Ford Focus is not the poshest model in the market even if it has that awesome sunroof. And you may be surprised to know that Marriott Santa Clara offers rooms for a little over a hundred bucks per night. Definitely not synonymous to high rollin’ in North America.
After a swift check in, we dumped our luggage onto the trolley and dragged it ourselves to the lift. It had been a long day, even a dingy highway hotel room could have sufficed to satisfy our basic needs. But good karma (or so I consider it) provided us something that’s way more than our usual accommodation.
Opening the door was a hallelujah moment. Because of the hotel’s proximity to Silicon Valley’s big companies, the room screams business. Its minimalist design showcases a few modern pieces like framed monochrome photographs and sleek furniture.
The bedside alarm clock-slash-radio-slash-snoozer was waiting to be tinkered, and the coffee machine was ready to brew. An office desk sat in the corner. The immaculately clean bathroom, supplied with branded toiletries and accentuated by dramatic bathroom lighting fixtures, lured us… But a shower had to wait for we were to meet long lost relatives that eve before hitting the sack.
We initially planned to stay just for a night cause we’ll be heading to Sacramento to meet more relatives from the hubby’s side. This itinerary however, changed once we entered our room. A decision reinforced by the marvelous buffet brekkie we had the next day. Yes, the brekkie made us extend another night. It was after all, going to be covered by the company as well. Couldn’t let that extra night go to waste!
I imagine Baby Luna climbing up the crib to escape from hot momma! 😛
Haha! More like, wailing ’til the parents get annoyed 🙂
Ooh I completely agree with you.. Marriott’s beds are heavenly!
Ooh… All the Marriotts’, Nina?! Will choose them again if the opportunity arises 🙂
Gay, I’ve never indulged in a hotel either. My mantra is always the cheaper, the better. I’m lucky I have relatives who stay in Oakwoods and Marriotts and Pan Pacifics (even the names sound expensive!)
Now I’m wondering how/where Luna sleeps. I always have to pull the mattress to the floor when traveling with the little panda. Effort lang haha
She sleeps between mumma and bubba 🙂
hotel rooms visibility of the nearby silicon valley! wow! this isnt in my bucket list but im really looking up to seeing it one time.
lazing seals! saya sigurado makita to. yung pamangkin ko ayaw na ayaw din pag nilalagay siya sa car seat.
wow naman Graco ung crib.:p
Less than a 100 for a Marriot room? How come it’s so expensive here. =(
Dong, I’m not a full on geek pero naexcite ako makita offices ng Intel, McAfee, Yahoo! and EMC2! LOL.
Killerfillers! Yeah! I wouldn’t buy Graco myself, so I could say this is luxury for the little one too… If only she slept there ;p
Tin, never checked in Marriott prior to this trip so I don’t really have an idea about their rates in Pinas. Mahal pala talaga.
Hanep naman sa free accommodation! Hope I get one of those too hehe *hint hint*
and so this is another proof that best things in life are FREE! imagine that beautiful accomodation, travel and wheels all for free?! wow!
ps : luna didn’t favor the graco cot? why? 🙂
The perks of an official business trip. What I like is having my own driver. Haha.
…and I wish that I can afford Marriotts w/ our Co.’s hotel accommodation budget.
Kisses to pretty Luna. 🙂
Aleah, and I hope we score more often 🙂
Doc Gelo, she favors sleeping between mumma and bubba. She’s been doing so since birth. Hihi.
Lito, never really had my own driver but would be awesome to happen someday!
Luna sleeping between you guys every single night must be the very definition of hands on parenting, no rest even while taking a rest!
Awesome hotel and oh btw, Baby Luna is so cute! She’s so lucky to have a mom that will travel her around the world. wow.
And attachment parenting, Ayla ;p
The lounge is stunning! Now in Morocco? You already on a world tour!=)
She sleeps between mumma and bubba 🙂