For the main part of this green vacation, we chose to stay at a hotel near Buffalo, New York.

Booking

I booked this establishment a few months before our arrival, when planning our stay near Niagara Falls.

Many Marriott hotels are pet-friendly, but many hotels also have fairly low ratings on the Bonvoy site: so I chose this Tribute Portfolio located near Buffalo, for around $500 a night for a suite, with a $100 pet fee for the duration of the stay.

After booking, I contacted my Marriott ambassador to confirm the presence of a crib in the room, which was promptly done.

Arrival

I will check-in online 48 hours before our arrival at the hotel..

We arrive at the hotel in torrential downpours, after a journey of just over four hours from our previous hotel.

After unloading all our cargo from the car, using one of the valet carts provided by the hotel, we proceed to check-in.

The receptionist is very professional, confirming the details of our 7-night stay in the hotel, and introducing us to the dining options. We’re soon in our suite

Suite

Our suite was located on the second and top floor of the hotel. It was right across from the elevator, but that didn’t bother us at all during our stay.

What strikes you as soon as you enter is the suite’s extremely successful decoration, which is all too rare in American hotels.

The entrance leads directly into the lounge area, with a sideboard and closet on the left to store our coats and some of our son’s belongings, and a first shower room on the right to prepare some meals for the baby. Opposite is the living room area, with two large armchairs and a sofa with a coffee table, facing a TV set overlooking another sideboard, in front of which the requested crib has been placed.

Also on the sideboard is a coffee machine, which I’ll be making good use of for the duration of my stay, and a bag of excellent chocolates as a welcome gift, accompanied by an ever-appreciative note. To the left of this buffet is a beautifully designed desk.

Next comes the sleeping area, with a very comfortable king-size bed, topped by two spacious bedside tables facing a chest of drawers, a large TV and a closet.

Following on from the bed is the bathroom, with a washbasin and, on the left, a huge, very comfortable walk-in shower with a very pleasant pressure, and, on the right, the WC separated from the rest of the bathroom.

All in all, a very successful suite in which we spent an excellent stay. Note also the near-perfect silence, as well as the very effective blackout thanks to the blackout curtains.

Finally, the virtual tour:

Hotel facilities

The hotel has a fitness room, which we won’t be using during our stay.

Catering

The hotel is equipped with a main restaurant, Jazzboline, and a breakfast room called The Living Room.

Breakfast – The Living Room

Every morning during our stay, we’ll have breakfast in the restaurant located in the hotel lobby.

As this is a reasonably-sized hotel with a boutique feel, it’s not a buffet that’s on offer, but a menu from which breakfast dishes are prepared à la minute.

A hostess will seat us at one of the tables, and she will take our drink order and then our food order.

We’ll have a variety of dishes from the à la carte menu throughout the mornings of our stay.

On the first morning, I’ll have an orange juice with an omelette topped with feta, cheddar and bacon. The latter will be delicious, as will the accompaniments, but it’s far too much for my small stomach. I’ll be leaving a good portion every morning, and I don’t necessarily appreciate the waste.

But the service is excellent and so is the food.

Dinner Service – Jazzboline

Every evening of our stay, except the first, we ‘ll dine at the hotel’s main restaurant, Jazzboline.

This restaurant is reminiscent of the historic restaurant created by Reikart, and features live jazz music several times a week.

Service is often a little slow, but efforts are made at our request to allow us to dine quickly so that our son can go to bed.

The bread basket will be good, with excellent toppings.

The bacon-wrapped scallops and their risotto will be absolutely delicious, with the scallops cooked to perfection

The bolognese with game was also excellent, with slightly creamed pasta for a naughty touch.

On other evenings, we’ll try the oysters, perfect with an excellent Riesling.

Some photos of our meals on other evenings:

Service

The level of service will be average at reception and housekeeping. It’s not acceptable for a hotel of this standing not to greet guests as they enter and leave the hotel. This is the minimum.

Departure

Check-out formalities will be straightforward, I’ll be using the mobile check-out on the Marriott Bonvoy app.

Bottom line

A half-hearted stay, with a high-quality hard product and a soft product that wasn’t up to scratch. A real shame.

Itinerary

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

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