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Living my best nonmom life...sharing my infertility story, my childfree life and all the things in between

JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Grand Opening Staycation July 2020

August 4, 2020      2 Comments

With Chad being in nursing school, 2020 was not a year full of plans for us. Except for July 4th. We had scored tickets for DC Jam to see the Foo Fighters. Then ‘Rona came and cancelled it. We had been talking and decided we want to do something for July 4th….so we decided on a staycation. I promptly booked the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek. Now, I booked in May with the hopes that the hotel would be open by July. This is a brand new property that put off their grand opening because of COVID.

Sometime in June, the hotel began to post things on Instagram about opening so I messaged and asked about amenities. I was told that the pools would be open with social distancing enforced and one food and beverage outlet would be open during each meal period. We exchanged a few more messages and I said I was excited to visit the property as I work in healthcare and a staycation was much needed! I was then asked if we would want to be one of the first guests property! I was then informed that we would be able to check in a day early and have our first night comped. The answer was YES! (Only our first night was complimentary, we did pay for the rest of our stay.)

One of the cool things is that we have watched this hotel being built since its on our drive home Disney. We were really excited to see the finished property. We checked in around 11:30 on July 2. One of the first things that catches my eye is the sleek and modern look of the hotel. When we pulled up to the main entrance, we were greeted by Tyler, Director of Front Office, and Derek, Senior Sales Executive. It was such a warm welcome. We took some pictures (social distanced, of course) and were given keys to our room.

I had originally booked us into a a normal room with a king bed. When we got to our room…we had been upgraded to a one bedroom suite!! It was such a wonderful surprise. And we were the first ones to even stay in room EVER. That’s something we had never done before. Our room overlooked the pool and was in the direction of Disney which was really cool.

  • Entry
  • Sitting Room
  • TV
  • Bedroom
  • Bathrrom

After we settled into our room, we went to explore the property! The pool are was open. There is a family friendly, zero entry pool with cabanas and an adult, infinity edge pool. There is a pool bar in the middle of the two (it was not open). The chairs were already set 6 feet apart and the attendants were spacing out guests as they arrived.

  • Zero Entry Pool
  • Adult Pool

Unreserved is one of the outlets that was open and they had servers for the pool area. We enjoyed a few cocktails during our stay as well as lunch one day.

  • Beer Garden
  • Unreserved
  • Interior Unreserved
  • Carrot Hummus
  • Margarita Pizza

We had drinks and to go dinner from Sand & Sear one night but I don’t have any pictures! Sand & Sear is the steakhouse type restaurant and runs with the lobby bar. They offer a champagne happy hour from 4-5 pm each day. You can purchase a glass of Tattinger Brut or Tattinger Rose for $11!

We had an incredible stay. The JW (and all Marriott’s) are requiring their employees to social distance while working and wear masks. Guests were required to wear masks in the public spaces. They were not required on the pool deck. The staff was absolutely wonderful…super friendly and very attentive. And flexible. It’s challenging to open a new hotel but even more so during a pandemic!

I can’t wait to visit again when all the amenities are open. Especially their rooftop bar, Illume, with views of Disney fireworks!!

Have any of you stayed in hotels during the pandemic? If so, what was your experience like?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy says

    August 7, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    Such a beautiful hotel! I’m glad you both had a nice visit :),

    Reply
  2. Casually Coastal says

    August 7, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    Ooooh, how gorgeous!!

    Reply

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4,383 days. 626 weeks. 12 years. Countless laughs 4,383 days.
626 weeks.
12 years.

Countless laughs. Numerous margaritas.
Too many adventures to count.

Just me and you.

Happy Date-versary!!

#dateversary #12years #fourseasonsorlando #capa #fsorlando #childfreenotbychoice #embracingchildlessness #hesmybestfriend #sundayfundays #manymargaritas #alwayslaughing #loveandmarriage #forthefamily #myfavoriteperson #learningtowalkagain #twahotel #epcotcenter #familyof2
It started out with a kiss… #jupiterflorida #qu It started out with a kiss…

#jupiterflorida #quigleytothealtar #callowwedding #mrbrightside #weddingdays #embracingchildlessness #childfreeafterinfertility #hesmybestfriend #callowcousins
✨Lucky #7✨ Happy Anniversary to my partner an ✨Lucky #7✨

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Cheers to us 🥂

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While this may be the start of National Infertilit While this may be the start of National Infertility Awareness Week and you will see a ton of positive “never give up” and “I got my miracle” posts, I hope my “we never got our baby and I am happy” post finds its way to some people’s feed!

It’s still a weird week because my life now is not the same life I lived during infertility. 

I am not the same person I was then. 

Then, I never dreamed that we would be childfree not by choice. Now, it’s hard to imagine children fitting into our life.

Then, I stressed about every little detail of my life because it revolves around doctors appointments, ultrasounds, medications and sex. Now, I stress about what to pack on vacation and when our next date night will be.

I remember how I felt during those years and what a dark place it was for me….the sadness, the anger. And I also remember making the decision to have my hysterectomy..and I felt peace and calm.

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So, I’m just here to remind all those in the midst of infertility, IT’S OK to walk away. It’s ok to end your journey without a baby. It’s ok to to not be ok. 

It will take time. There will be tears. 

BUT you will be ok. 

There’s still a whole lot of amazingness out there in a life without children.

If you can’t find it, create it. 

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Honor where you have been.
Honor where you are going.
Honor where you are now.

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When we planned this trip, a class in studio was on top of the list. Tbh I was a little disappointed that I did not get into a cycling class but the universe knew what I needed…

Some slow flow yoga and reflection. 

I am 3 month post hysterectomy and while I feel better in so many ways, I am still struggling my post hyster body. 

But a best friend reminded me to give myself some grace and to continue to do things that make me feel good…then the rest will come. @keep_going_katie always coming through with the highest vibrations.

I am so glad I took the yoga classes. The energy and the messages were just what I needed…even though I didn’t know it.
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The Harry Potter store and then The Cursed Child.

The visuals and effects of the play were incredible! So glad I got to see it!

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Stadium Series in Raleigh last night was a whole mood with this crew.

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You are always an amazing partner but you have *really* been amazing these past 6 weeks. 

I love you more.

#husbandbirthday #thisis41 #raleighbound #besthusband #embracingchildless #besthusband #partnerinlife #hesmybestfriend

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