When I found out I was accepted to give a Ted Talk at my alma mater Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), I immediately started planning my trip. For transportation, I knew flying would be the most efficient option, as Rochester, New York is only a 50 minute flight from Baltimore-Washington International (BWI).
It's been 6+ years since my last time at RIT, and I'm in a completely different season of life. As an adult, my values and desires have fundamentally changed. Therefore, when selecting a hotel, I considered cost, amenities, and distance from RIT's campus. Being familiar with the Rochester area, I decided to stay in Pittsford, a quaint suburb of Rochester, NY known for its cafes and small, local businesses.
In college, visiting Pittsford was a luxury and a privilege. Although the town is only 7.5mi from campus, you had to have a car (or know someone with a car) in order to visit its quaint cafes and restaurants. For this trip, I would rely on Lyft regardless of where I stayed, so why not stay in Pittsford?
After I landed in Rochester, I headed to my hotel, the Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Hotel and Spa, a Marriott property. I selected the Del Monte for a few reasons:
The cost of my room was great for its design aesthetic.
There was a nice restaurant on the property so I could easily order dinner delivered to my door.
I'm a Marriott Bonvoy member. It's free to join and earn perks. Plus, their app allows you search all properties near your desired destination.
The property has a well-known and luxurious spa. Although I didn't have time to take advantage of it this trip.
I arrived just prior to check-in (3:00pm), but I was able to check in early to my room. They provide you a bottle of water at check-in, if that's a deal-maker for you.
Upon entering my room, I was pleasantly surprised at the layout and the amount of space. With a large shower, a king bed, and a desk workspace, I was more than happy with this home-away-from home. I immediately showered and made a cup of coffee in my room. When I went to watch TV, I found alcohol wipes so I could sanitize additional items to feel safe and comfortable. After wiping down the remote, I watched some TV before practicing my talk. I also called down to the hotel's restaurant, Erie Grill, to ask about when I could order off the dinner menu. Answer: 5:00pm.
I eventually ordered dinner from Erie Grill. It was a brisk 10F when I landed in Rochester, so I was craving comfort foods. I ordered the French Onion Soup, Cheeseburger, and a bottle of wine. There was a mini-fridge in the room. I was impressed by the food and its to-go packaging, and the restaurant's wine selection (including half bottles).
In addition to a restaurant on-site and coffee makers in each room (stocked with two regular, one decaf), the hotel has complimentary coffee in the lobby every morning!
While I was gone for most of my stay, I thoroughly enjoyed my quiet time at the Renaissance Del Monte Lodge and Spa, my dinner from Erie Grill, and the property served as a perfect home base for my business trip. My only regret is that I didn't have time to take advantage of their spa. Next time!
Have you stayed at the Del Monte Lodge? Or visited the Del Monte spa? Comment on this post with your thoughts, I'd love to hear about your experience! You can check out more of my adventures and hotel suggestions under the TRAVEL tab.
As always, you can keep up with my everyday adventures and outfits on Instagram!
Until next time,
