Stilettos & Diapers

by Molly Wey

#DesignCharlotte· Charlotte· Family· Staycation· Travel

Our Charlotte, NC Staycation

Have you ever taken a weekend to be a total tourist in your own city? This past weekend, we did just that and it was a blast. 
 
We kicked off the weekend with a Friday check-in at the Charlotte Marriott City Center. This hotel has been completely renovated and is amazingly gorgeous. 
Charlotte Marriott City Center, Suite DIning area

 

Charlotte Marriott City Center, Suite Bedroom

 

Charlotte Marriott City Center, Suite Kitchen

 

Charlotte Marriott City Center, Suite Bedroom

 

We got settled and ventured out for dinner and walking around to see Christmas lights. But first…let me take a selfie.

Charlotte Marriott City Center
Sweater | Jeans | Boots: last year, similar splurge or save

We’ve been here 3 years and I honestly don’t think we’ve seen the city all decorated at Christmastime. The streets were lined with wreaths and bows and there were beautiful trees and decorations all over. 
Charlotte, NC at Christmastime
Well, it happened to be a pretty cold night (for North Carolina!) and the boys were chilly, so we came back to the hotel. Which turned out to be pretty freaking fantastic. 


We made our way through the lobby, sampled some wine, then ordered a 1 lb donut. Yes, 1 whole pound! It’s the Stoke restaurant specialty, but we asked to bring it to the room since it was almost bedtime. 

Charlotte Marriott City Center, Wine Bar, Stoke
While we waited, we discovered the M Club Lounge. The boys spotted a candy bar and food, I grabbed a cocktail menu and we decided to ignore bedtime!
Charlotte Marriott City Center, M Club Lounge
Ever have a cocktail in a french press? We each ordered a different one so we could share and they were both yummy and totally different than cocktails I normally make. I want to try doing this at home sometime! 

Charlotte Marriott City Center, French Press cocktails

But then the donut came. It was quite possibly the most delicious dessert I’ve ever eaten! It was piping hot and came with sweet cream and heath pieces on the side. These boys were super excited about being out after bedtime, while eating dessert. 
Charlotte Marriott City Center, Stoke 1lb donut

Back at the room, we got them set in the “boys only” room to watch a Christmas movie. The Hubs and I sipped wine and polished off that donut! (Notice all the things in the bedside table? I let the big boys pack their own suitcase and they set all their “essentials” up right when we got there!)

Charlotte Marriott City Center, Suite Bedroom


The next morning was our Anniversary! 11 years and I couldn’t think of a better group of boys to spend it with.
Romare Bearden Park Charlotte, NC

 

We walked to Romare Bearden Park, where the boys ran wild. They have Charlotte Christmas Market set up there, which is like a German Christkindlmarkt. It reminded me of one we shopped at in NYC a few years ago, too! 
Romare Bearden Park Charlotte, NC

 

Romare Bearden Park Charlotte, NC
Romare Bearden Park Charlotte, NC
Romare Bearden Park Charlotte, NC
After we had enough of the chill, we headed back for coffee at Coco and the Director. The coffee is fantastic and the atmosphere is so fun. It really lends itself to creativity and even has areas you can reserve for a group to brainstorm. 
Coco and the Director Marriott Charlotte City Center

 

Coco and the Director Marriott Charlotte City Center

 

Coco and the Director Marriott Charlotte City Center

After driving around a bit, we brought the boys home to the sitter and headed back out for our Anniversary dinner at Block and Grinder. Beef is their specialty and since we’re both filet lovers, we decided to try it out. I’m giving it a 10 out of 10! We even went crazy and tried a new wine. 11 years is worth celebrating! 

Block and Grinder Lake Norman
Our boys keep talking about how much fun it was to go on a “staycation”. I know usually that means literally staying home, but it was so much fun to go exploring. And there isn’t much more enjoyable for me than to be at a hotel, with no laundry sitting around me, no chores to do and no distractions. 
 
If you only have a night to get away, don’t waste your time driving. See what your city has to offer! And if you’re visiting Charlotte, you now know where to stay and eat! 
 
Have you ever done a “staycation” in your city? 

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