According to several studies, 90% of all family reunions in the United States are hosted by African Americans. Anywhere from 100 to 400 friends and family meet up yearly to catch up and keep long-standing traditions going by participating in these functions that last approximately 2-3 days. This year, Embassy Suites Hotels and Homewood Suites by Hilton teamed up to make the complex planning process simple, by creating the Count on It program. Reunion organizers can save time by creating accounts through the hiltonfamilyreunions.com, enter in key information regarding the event, and save time by allowing the online hub to do the grunt work. Once your account is created you will then be prompted to create a personalized page (i.e. Bradshaw Family Reunion) specific to your family’s event, where guests can book rooms under the special group rate, stay updated with events details, and check out special offers in or around your event location.
[RELATED: A Few Keys to an Affordable Family Vacation]
Embassy Suites Hotels and Homewood Suites by Hilton are two of the top choices when planning large scale events and/or extended stays, as they specifically cater to group, business, and non-conventional travelers. During a recent trip to Hawaii, I was able to plan a romantic trip with my boyfriend who is in the military and stationed on the island of Oah’u. Although staying on the base is always an option, I wanted to be near Waikiki while he was at work. We chose to stay at the Embassy Suites Waikiki, as it provided scenic views, convenience, and family atmosphere. My boyfriend wanted to make sure I was in good hands while he was off performing his duties.
(Continued on next page)
From the initial parking of the car – which is
a major chore in Waikiki – to the outdoor check-in desk where we were welcomed by friendly staff, fresh juice and comfortable chairs as they programmed our room keys, everything went better than expected. Upon entering our rooms, we were greeted by the most magnificent views of the beach. This made a lengthy separation feel like a distant memory as we snacked on fresh fruit and watched the waves from our wrap-around balcony. Military families often have to plan spur-of-the-moment trips and/or extended stays with loved ones who are stationed far away. My boyfriend and I were in good hands as we were able to just focus on us and creating memories during my 18-day visit.While
some hotels offer warm cookies and turn-down service, Embassy Suites Hotels and Homewood Suites by Hilton takes it to the next level by providing a full breakfast every morning and a Manager’s Cocktails Reception in the evenings. You are guaranteed these amenities at each property and, in some cases, have access to a full kitchen in your room for those of you who like to cook your own meals. Guests at the Waikiki Embassy Suites location are treated to cook-to-order omelet stations, waffles, French toast, baklava, bagels, breakfast meats, juice selections, and vegetarian and gluten-free options in a rooftop setting with views of the Pacific Ocean and Waikiki Beach. Your travel expenses are cut down by one meal a day as each morning offers something different so you won’t get bored, especially if you are staying beyond a weekend. The Manager’s Reception commences at 5:30 p.m sharp and is complete with a full bar, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks specific to the region you are in.The beauty of choosing to center your reunion at a Hilton property is that you can find locations in every major city in the United States, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. Both the Embassy Suites Hotels and Homewood Suites are all suite hotels that resemble one- and two-bedroom apartments, complete with a living room and couch beds. Rooms come with king size or two queen size beds and can fit six to eight people, depending on room and package. For more information, check out HiltonFamilyReunions.com.
This article was written by Kitty Bradshaw | Website | Instagram | FaceBook | Twitter