Back from planning one of my favorite client’s annual awards ceremony and theme party. This year it was in Baltimore. We stayed at what the locals call the BMW. Baltimore Marriott Waterfront and after my experience the BMW acronym is fitting!! The customer service was bar none. My friends and I are always talking about customer service or more specific the lack of good customer service. Well I was delighted from my initial experience with my sales person Kim to my onsite event manager Katrina to the hotel staff during our event. I am not sure how any other hotel will compare from this point when planning events. The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront will be my benchmark. They were the bomb diggity! It was just wonderful to go to a place and everyone that you touched gave you great customer service. As a business owner I love it when people are proactive and don’t need my direction for everything. There was a great staffer at the BMW, Mary that came up with a great idea for us to use for our event that complimented everything we were doing and added a nice touch at no cost to my client!!! If you are looking for a hotel to host an event you will not be disappointed by the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. Oh, and the property is beautiful. When I did the site visit last year I decided on the BMW over other hotels, even the cities newest hotel because of the grandeur and energy of the lobby and great waterfront views from the bedrooms. Thanks to Nikki at the Baltimore Convention and Visitors Bureau I was also pleasantly surprised with all the great history in Baltimore and fun activities! I must say Baltimore knows how to show you a good time.

This picture is a view from my floor.

One of my wonderful staffers at work!

The hotel staff ready to serve the guests.

Ready to party!

After Baltimore, my mom and I took the Bolt Bus to New York City to visit family and shop!!! We did New York on a budget. Yes NYC on a budget! The Bolt bus was nice for only $15 each way. I think the price has gone up since our travels. It’s clean and has WIFI and only a three/four hour ride. Along with shopping we did a bit of site seeing by taking the Staten Island Ferry. It’s free, who knew! The views from the boat were very nice and it was actually rather peaceful considering we were joined by hundreds of Islanders. It was a nice quick escape before returning to the hustle and bustle of the New York streets, which I also like. I really wanted my feet rubbed so we stopped at this little place in the village for a pedicure, manicure and 30-minute massage. I think I spent $50 for my treatments total. Wasn’t the best, but very nice after being on my feet working my event and walking the streets of New York. We found some great finds on Canal Street. It was a brief two day trip, but nice while it lasted.

Views from the Ferry Picture

View as we approach New York Picture

Getting Closer Picture

Almost there Picture

We are docking