Gaylord National Hotel – Family Friendly Hotel Review

This post was sponsored by the Gaylord National Hotel who provided us with accommodations at the Gaylord National Hotel during my family’s recent visit. We appreciate their support of Jersey Family Fun that allows us to share with families information about family friendly National Harbor, MD hotels we think your family may enjoy for family vacations.

 

Are you looking for a new place to explore for the holiday season and create new family memories?

 

 

I was on the hunt for something that wasn’t to far of a drive from South Jersey and would be able to easily hold my family of 5 that includes 2 teens and a 10 year old. It had to be a place that had something for everyone and gave the kids some space to spread out if need be.

 

I found that while looking at the Gaylord National Hotel. The hotel was a short 3 hour drive from my Burlington County home and was an easy drive down 95. We were lucky enough to get to stay in a King Suite that had a separate bedroom, living room with pullout sofa, and dining  room. There was an area for each of us to relax and unwind after a fun filled day exploring the Gaylord National Hotel and it’s fun holiday activities including a grand ice exhibit, a nightly tree lighting, and gingerbread making, Please follow along as we are sharing more articles about Gaylord National Hotel activities in our Making Christmas Memories at Gaylord National Hotel Series.

 

Gaylord National Hotel Room types available

• Standard room with 1 king size bed or 2 queen size beds – standard view
• Standard room with 1 king size bed or 2 queen size beds – atrium view
• Executive suite with separate living/sitting area, pullout sofa bed
• King suite with separate living/sitting area, dining area, pullout sofa bed- atrium view
• King suite with seperate living/sitting area, dining area, pullout sofa bed – river view

 

Our Gaylord National Hotel video tour of our King Suite

 

This was such an amazing stay for us. I had seen photos of the ice exhibit in the past and the kids couldn’t wait to see it! My teenagers turned into 5 year olds who still believed in the magic of Santa and I saw their Christmas spirit come alive again. From the moment you pull up and see the twinkling white lights on the trees you are in a Christmas wonderland. The hotel is lavishly decorated with trees everywhere you look decorated in different themes. Our favorites were the gingerbread tree, the Elf on the Shelf tree and of course the the Magnificent Tree of Light that suspends from the Gaylord National Hotel atrium. The large tree is made out of synthetic candy glass and captures your attention as soon as you enter the hotel.

 

Christmas came early for our family as we toured the hotel and the surrounding area taking in every ounce of Christmas that we could and there is plenty to take in. We were extra lucky as the hotel is within walking distance of National Harbor where they were having their tree lighting and victorian character so we had an extra bit of Christmas magic. Be sure to explore National Harbor when visiting. There are some great shops including a Peeps store and Build a Bear, a Ferris Wheel that overlooks the Potomac River, and a beautiful Christmas tree. We are already planning next year’s trip. I think the Gaylord National is going to become our new Christmas tradition.

 

The Gaylord National Hotel standard rooms included:

• 1  King size bed or 2 queen beds with a pillow-top mattress and duvet
• Flat-screen 32 inch HDTVs with premium movie channels and pay per view capabilities
• Radio
• A closet/dresser
• Ergonomic workspaces with chairs, desks, telephones and voicemail
• Additional seating
• Double vanities, lighted make up mirrors and hair dryers
• Complimentary bottled water
• Complimentary High speed internet service both wired and wireless
• Coffee makers, mini refrigerator, laptop safes, and irons/ironing boards

 

 

The Gaylord National Hotel King Suite features

• A large living room to seat your family comfortably while watching a show or playing a game.
• Flat-screen 32 inch HDTVs with premium movie channels and pay per view capabilities
• Radio
• A table with seating for 4 (we sat there opened the curtains and watch the city out the window as the view of the river and ferris wheel was fantastic)
• A closet/dresser
• A bathroom with a large shower complete with a small seating area
• Ergonomic workspaces with chairs, desks, telephones and voicemail
• Double vanities, lighted make up mirrors and hair dryers (this was great for our family to all get ready at the same time brushing our teeth etc)
• A bar/vanity area with a mini refrigerator (located behind a door on the dresser) and countertop.  (Pick up some cereal, milk, and lunch items for your visit and you’ll cut down on some of your meal expenses.)
• Complimentary High speed internet service both wired and wireless
• Coffee makers, mini refrigerator, laptop safes, and irons/ironing boards

 

 

What you should know if you stay at the Gaylord National Hotel.

• The Gaylord National hotel is located at 201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, Maryland
• The hotel has a smoke free policy.
• Always have a camera on you as you never know who you will see while on a scavenger hunt around the hotel we ran into Puss & Boots and The Penguins and we missed Shrek by a couple minutes.
• Look for the Dreamworks desk in the lobby and pick up your free scavenger hunt guide. Bring it back to the desk for a prize an ogre would love.
• Plan ahead for your meals. Here are some options you can consider.
  • Eat in the hotel restaurants that offer a mix of fine dining and family friendly dining
    • Old Hickory Steakhouse – Requires reservations perfect for celebrating an anniversary
    • Pienza Restauraunt – American fare, enjoy a variety of breakfast and lunch favorites or a Sunday Brunch
      • Also offers a Dreamworks Animation Crack-a-lackin buffet breakfast with Alex and Friends (select times of the year)
    • National Pasttimes Sports Bar & Gril – Grab a burger and watch the big game
    • The Cocoa Bean Coffee Shop – Now serving Starbucks coffee is great to grab a quick snack or breakfast pastry
• Bring food with you and take advantage of the  mini-refrigerator to hold extra drinks or small snack.
• There is a pool, fitness center, and spa (we did not take advantage of these amenities this trip)
• If you are traveling with babies or toddlers
  • Cribs and rollaways are available by request, rollaways are an additional $25 per night
• Room Rates may vary so it’s best to check the Gaylord National Hotel for rates and availability. Including special packages for the holiday season that include unlimited entry into ICE during your stay.

 

 

How does the Gaylord National celebrate Christmas?

• ICE! Featuring Frosty the Snowman
• Holiday Dining including Brunch with Santa
• Photos with Santa for an additional fee
• Peeps and Company Potomac Express Train Ride – For children ages 12 & Under, fees are $3 per ride or you can get 3 rides for $5
• Christmassy Dreamworks Experience
  • Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin’ Cook-In Breakfast – $19.65 for children 3-11, $29.95 for adults, children under 3 are free with a paying adult
  • Gingerbread decorating with Gingy – $34.95 per house or $49.95 for a gingerbread family

 

 

• Free Gaylord National Hotel holiday activities include
  • Reindeer scavenger hunt – pick up your kit at the Dreamworks Desk located near the lobby elevators
  • Decorations include holiday trees and over 2 million lights
  • Explore the atrium there great shops that have unique christmas items and gifts
  • Brightest Star Fountain show nightly at 7 & 9 pm – Narrated version of a christmas story and the water and lights dance to the music
  • Sounds & Songs of Christmas show nightly at 6 & 8pm it might be 72 degrees inside the atrium but get ready to be snowed on (we watched this twice it was so cool)
  • Tree of light – 60 ft tree that is the centerpiece of the atrium made of synthetic glass the tree is breathtaking

 

 When you visit be sure to share your photos with us on instagram and Twitter by tagging @JerseyFamilyFun and @GaylordNational use the hashtag #HollyJollyGN we can’t wait to hear about your stay.

 

Learn more about the ICE exhibit or the Gaylord National Hotel at our Making Christmas Memories at Gaylord National Hotel Series.

 

View more photos on our Facebook page albums Gaylord National Hotel photos, Ice photos, and Madagascar Breakfast photos.

 

Click over to our YouTube Channel to watch our Gaylord National Hotel video playlist.

 

In full disclosure, this is a sponsored post from the Gaylord National Hotel We were provided with overnight accomodations at no charge. Our parking was included along with a visit to ICE and The Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin’ Cook-In. These things were arranged so that we could review the Gaylord National for its family friendliness and Christmas on the Potomac Experiences  However, our opinions are honest and based on our experiences at the Gaylord National Hotel.