The past couple months have been crazy: New York City marathon, Australia, new baby (hours after getting back), and Thanksgiving. We were in desperate need of a staycation. What’s more up our ally—shop and stay!
What’s a Shop and Stay?
It’s pretty simple, a shop and stay is when you get a hotel downtown so you’re away from home, but close to everything fun: shopping, eating, entertainment, etc. We love a good shop and stay and this one was no exception.
Staying at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel blew us completely out of the water. We were fortunate enough to get a suite with an adjoining room, the perfect size for our family of six. It’s crazy just saying that!
As we stayed in the Hilton we were able to enjoy some of their amazing accommodations: late night pool swimming, free cookies and hot chocolate, huge tubs for stress free soaking, and a late night snack from the hotel. It was like we were living in a movie, but better because it was real life.
Family That Shops Together
If you know anything about me and my family, you know how much we love shopping. That is why a shop and stay works for us. We were close to City Creek Center where we were able to enjoy the best shopping at Gem Studio, Banana Republic, Salomon, and much more.
A trick that we have found to make shopping with kids a little bit easier, grab a treat for the kids at the beginning. It keeps them occupied and entertained for long enough that you can get through your favorite shops. We stopped at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some delicious treats. Basically chocolate covered everything!
Don’t Forget The Big Man!
If you haven’t been to see Santa at City Creek Center, then you are missing out! Not only was he as magical as ever, but the Santa here has offers like no other center has.
- Vitural lines. When you get to City Creek Center, head to Santa’s lantern and sign into the virtual line. This way you can go shop, eat, and shop some more rather than sit in a line where the kids will get messy and ruin their outfits.
- AFCU member discount. Are you a America First Credit Union member? If you are, when you purchase your photo bundle you get 50% off when you use your AFCU credit/debit card.
- Santa is FREE! It doesn’t cost a thing to see Santa Claus. That makes it even better, right?
No standing in line, discounted photo packages (with AFCU card), and FREE! That sounds perfect for this time of year if you ask me. Santa is available for visits from 10 am – 9 pm through December 23, and from 10 am – 6 pm on December 24. Santa breaks to feed his reindeer from 1 – 2 pm and 5 – 6 pm. (subject to change).
For information about photo packages and any details I am missing, check it out here.
Book Your Shop and Stay
Trust me, we would do this entire weekend again in a heartbeat: swimming, eating, relaxing, shopping, and Santa. If this sounds like this is what you need in your life, I promise you won’t regret setting it up exactly like we did.
