Eeeked in a last minute staycation at the Kimpton nearest us, so Milwaukee. Needed to use up an IHG Ambassador Weekend Certificate before the EOY while it was still good at Kimptons, where you get two nights for the price of the first night. Plus I got 20k points for the stay and had a $75 off $300 offer from Amex. So with Diamond status and using their social password, I received:
- 4 free drinks $60 value
- 4 breakfast/brunches $80 value
- wine/social hour $20 value
- AM coffee bar and evening cocoa bar $25 value
- Free night $340
- Dinner for four $75 value with Amex offer
- 20k point promotion $100 value
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$700 value- not bad for a one night rate of $230, including tax
BUT................... it didn't go as planned. It was our pandemic pup's (a Frenchton, just under two now) first hotel stay. She has some anxiety, given she's virtually never been alone. She was so hyped up upon arriving, she peed on the bed, within minutes. By the first evening, DH had a 101 fever. I ended up entertaining the kids and walking the dogs solo. That dog would not pee outside, whatsoever. I must have walked those dogs 8-12 times and she refused to go outside once. She screeches and cries when she sees another dog- it's so embarassing. When we got back in the room, I had to wipe each dog down because it was so warm outside it was melting all the dirty snow. All night long, the dogs sprung off me every 30 minutes, to protect us from whatever hallway noise they heard. Sigh. By 7 am, after one last unproductive walk, I was fried. I pulled the plug, packed everyone up and we went home.
But, we had a great time with outdoor ice skating, drinking hot cocoa, enjoying cocktails and wood fired pizza, in between all the puppy stress. So, so, so happy to be home where I run medicine, drinks and food on a tray to DH, but where the dog can go out her doggie door at her leisure.