Hilton HHonors Great Getaway: Adventure in Orlando #HHGetaway

The Great Getaway

Hilton HHonors recently sponsored  a Great Getaway adventure experience for three bloggers to Orlando, Florida, myself included.  The purpose of the trip was for us to experience one of the four prize packages being offered through the Great Getaway Giveaway they are currently hosting.  While we visited the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld we also got to test the adventurer in each of us through experiences such as dining with sharks, zip lining over alligators, and exploring trails on horseback.  The experiences of the weekend are something I will never forget and the people I shared them with will always hold a place in my heart.

About The Great Getaway

Now through September 30, 2013, Hilton HHonors is encouraging travelers around the world to save with The Great Getaway, offering hotel rates as low as $100 in the U.S., up to 25% off stays in the Middle East and Africa, and up to 20% off stays in Asia Pacific when booking within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio.  To book a stay, visit Hilton Weekends.

About The Great Getaway Giveaway

Members can enter the Hilton HHonors Great Getaway Giveaway for the chance to vote and win one of four trips from June 10 through August 4, 2013.

Each of the four getaways focuses on a different passion-point for travel – relaxation, adventure, culture, and food/wine – providing all HHonors members with the chance to win a  trip that fits their personal passion.  HHonors members can vote on the prize destination for each getaway, with winning destinations revealed every two weeks throughout the summer.  Members can vote on their preferred prize destinations once daily.

Relaxation: June 10 – June 21
Adventure: June 24 – July 7
Culture: July 8 – July 21
Food/Wine: July 22 – August 4

My Great Getaway: Adventure Experience

When I think of words that describe me, “Adventurous” isn’t one that comes to mind, so you can imagine how apprehensive I was to be going away for a weekend with two other bloggers I never met.  I was especially freaking out once I researched a bit more about Karissa from With Our Best and Meghann from Meals & Miles.  Not only were they both young and beautiful, but they were both in great shape and let’s be honest, I am not exactly 20-something anymore.  In reality I’m old enough to be mother.  However, once I arrived at the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld I was immediately at ease.  Maybe it was the warm tropical welcome or the steel drums bellowing out a Caribbean beat that immediately puts me into vacation mode, whatever it was I felt at home.

Once I checked in I had just enough time to take a quick tour of my one bedroom suite before meeting everyone to depart for SeaWorld.  I was staying in building #11 on the 6th floor and I was given a ride to my room with the bellman.  I have never stayed at a resort geared toward timeshare so this was an experience.  One of the very first things that I noticed was different from most places I’ve stayed at is the security.  Not only is the resort gated, but there are actually security officers patrolling the grounds.  Since I was traveling alone it put me at ease and I thought this would be the perfect place for families.

Tour of My Room

The room was huge and perfect for a family of 4.  The couch folded out to be a bed and the King size bed in the bedroom was full of fluffy pillows and it’s own flat screen TV.  The suite offered a full-size kitchen complete with everything you would need for your home away from home.  The dinnerware was Fiesta and the quality of the kitchen utensils were good – that is really important to me since I’m a #Foodie and on any other week long vacation I would find myself preparing meals in the kitchen.  The table was big enough for an entire family to enjoy some time bonding together, another great bonus.

There is one thing that totally sells it for me when it comes to a hotel room and that’s the amenities.  I love good, quality soaps, shampoos, and conditioners because most of the time I leave mine at home so that I can travel lighter.  Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld use Peter Thomas Roth products and I LOVE them!  Another thing that sold me about my room was the whirlpool tub and stand alone shower.  Unfortunately hubby didn’t come on this adventure and I was forced to take a relaxing bubble bath all by myself after Day 1.

Our First Adventure: SeaWorld

Left to Right: Me, Meghann, Meg (aka “Tall Meg”), Anthony (aka “Al”), and Karissa

An adventure wouldn’t be an adventure if it weren’t challenging and within the first couple minutes upon arriving at SeaWorld we were challenged with a HUGE storm!  I brought a small umbrella, but it was no match for the torrential downpour and the kind folks from the hotel purchased us SeaWorld ponchos.  From that point on with our soaked clothes and stylish ponchos we were officially the “Poncho Posse”.  Our gracious hosts Meg and Anthony* quickly bonded with us and we all became inseparable for the rest of the trip.

Since the rain slowed us down we were running behind schedule for the Behind the Scenes Tour and so the adventure began as the Poncho Posse ran from one place to another trying to find the elusive entrance to the tour.  Once we found it we had a great time.  I even got to touch a baby shark and walked away with all my fingers!  We had a great time and with our cut to the front of the line passes (compliments of the hotel) we were able to grab a quick ride on Manta (thank you Karissa for holding my hand and Meghann for thinking of it).  I  had a small panic attack, but I’m so glad I was adventurous enough to do it.

After spending the day in the park we met up with the VP of Communications for Hilton Grand Vacations, Elena, for a nice dinner with the sharks at Sharks Underwater Grill.  It was a feast featuring yummy appetizers such as coconut shrimp, bruschetta, and unique braised beef short rib ravioli.  The dinner rolls, by the way, are delicious and flavorful but I behaved and only had one.  Dessert on the other hand was to die for and I didn’t control myself as well as I did with the rolls.  We all shared the banana creme brulee (my favorite), a tiramisu, the chocolate marquise and the biggest loaded brownie sundae you ever saw.  It was a great end to a wonderful day.

See What Happened On Day 2!

About Hilton HHonors

Hilton HHonors is the guest-loyalty program for the brand Hilton Worldwide.  Signing up is FREE and you can start earning points immediately to be used towards Premium Room Rewards, Room Upgrade Rewards, Points & Money Rewards and Standard Room Rewards.  Not only can you earn upgrades but you can use points to purchase unique experiences (such as an Adventurers Getaway), make charitable contributions, purchase select merchandise and more.  HHonors is the only guest-loyalty program that offers ‘No Blackout Dates’ and “Points and Miles’ for the same stay, worldwide.

* The PR reps for our adventure were Meg and Anthony and they were beyond incredible.  Jen, who couldn’t join us, did a great job making sure everything flowed smoothly and I hope to meet her some day as well.  Thank you  guys for putting together such an incredible adventure.