It happens every January. As the cold, icy weather sets up camp outside for a few months, and restless kid/cabin fever sets in at my house, my Facebook feed starts filling up with pictures of friends getting away to warmer places, with envy-worthy views of beaches, palm trees, tourist attractions, and of course, lots of smiling, relaxed faces.

Yearning to take my own family away from it all, too, I know there has to be a way to escape the winter blues without spending a fortune to transport all of us somewhere far, far away.

Thankfully there is, and I’m still in awe, because recently my kids and I were invited to enjoy the perfect solution – a weekend staycation at the Radisson Blu Mall of America!

I’m still amazed at what an incredible experience it was – from the valet parking to the accommodations, meals and activities. We felt like we were completely leaving winter behind, and you know why? Because thanks to the Radisson Blu’s direct access to the Mall of America (via an indoor skyway bridge/hall/whatever-you-call-it), we never had to be in the cold, even once!

Checking in!

From the moment we arrived, we felt so welcomed and special, and were so impressed with the hotel’s modern design and stylish decor. We were brought to our room which was all ready for us personally, with a kids’ tent all set up with my kids’ names spelled out inside! The tent, by the way, we could keep (!), thanks to the Family Fun with Marty the Moose package that we received.

In addition to the kids’ tent, the Family Fun Package includes tickets to the Sea Life Aquarium or wristbands to Nickelodeon Universe, plus an age-appropriate Blu Kids Club scavenger hunt to do in the hotel, complete with prizes! The concierge were so nice to my kids as they gave them their passports to get stamped as they found places/items around the hotel and picked out their prizes – SkyDeck game cards or stuffed animals (my kids loved the stuffed animals). [Read more…]