Our Free Staycation at Marriott Residence Inn Long Island- Garden City

Amid our busy schedules, sometimes the best vacations are the ones that don't take us too far from home. With two expiring Marriott Free Night Certificates burning a hole in our pockets and a long weekend ahead thanks to the Easter holiday, we decided to embark on a mini-adventure right in our own backyard. So we decided on the Marriott Residence Inn in Garden City, which is a 3-star hotel. Our criteria were simple yet essential for a family getaway: we wanted a suite hotel, an indoor swimming pool for the kids to splash around in, a fully equipped kitchen to whip up some home-cooked meals, and of course, the allure of a complimentary breakfast spread to fuel our days of relaxation. This clean Residence Inn was the perfect place, promising a blend of comfort and convenience that we were eagerly anticipating. To learn more about the Marriott Rewards program and how to earn free night certificates, check out our post "Taking a Closer Look at the Marriott Bonvoy Program."

Our Stay at the Residence Inn- Garden City

Upon arrival, we were greeted by spacious rooms that instantly put us at ease. Each room offers a full kitchen, complete with a full-size fridge, dishwasher, and a handy 2-burner stove. It meant we could stock up on groceries beforehand, ensuring that our stay would be as fuss-free as possible. There are also many supermarkets in the area that offer grocery delivery service if you do not want to venture out to the store. The full kitchens allow you to save time and money by eating in or at least having snacks available for the kids. The suite has free toiletries and a walk-in shower in the private bathroom. The suite included a separate living space with a couch and desk. The casual studios are equipped with flat-screen TV equipped with satellite channels and streaming services. This spacious studio also offers free internet. The hotel allows express check-in which allows you to bypass the front desk. 

view from our hotel room 

Amenities at the Residence Inn- Garden City

My kids love hotel breakfasts. The free hot breakfast was a hearty spread, featuring everything from customizable waffles to satisfying egg sandwiches and turkey sausage. I enjoyed the oatmeal, with many mix-ins to choose from. It was a delicious start to our days, setting the tone for the relaxation that lay ahead. The kids enjoyed going back for seconds.

Breakfast add-ins are available for Oatmeal or a parfait. 

hot breakfast options 

Of course, no staycation would be complete without a dip in the indoor pool. The water was just the right temperature, and there was plenty of seating around the pool. The well-equipped fitness center provided ample opportunity to break a sweat, with treadmills, a peloton, and a decent selection of weights and kettlebells. But perhaps the highlight for our family was the game room, which included a pool table and air hockey. 

pool table in the game room

air hockey in the game room

The pool at the Residence Inn- Garden City

Things To Do

Our stay at this 3-star Residence Inn Long Island Garden City was a welcome break from the daily grind. The Residence Inn Garden City is a minutes' drive or a 7-minute walk from the Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall. It is also close to many restaurants, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and lots of shopping opportunities. There is also a big aerospace museum which is on a former airplane hangar nearby.  The nearest airport to this hotel is John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Residence Inn Long Island, Garden City is about a 10-minute drive from a nice county park, Eisenhower Park, which has nice picnic areas. Our free staycation at this Garden City hotel exceeded all expectations, proving that sometimes the best experience can be just a stone's throw away in Nassau County. To learn more about various Marriott credit cards you can read our posts "American Express Marriott Bevy Card: Is It Right for You?", "Analyzing the Benefits of the Amex Marriott Brilliant Card", and "Unlock Endless Travel Possibilities with the Marriott Boundless Credit Card from Chase".