I’m in my second day of several staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown Memphis at Main and Monroe, and I’ve come to a conclusion: This place is heaven! Let me list some of the things I like about this room and this hotel stay:
- All the rooms are suites, with a living room (including sofa), kitchen, bedroom and bathroom
- There’s a hot breakfast buffet that far exceeds the “continental breakfast” found in most hotels. Yesterday morning I had several slices of ham, a sausage and egg-white biscuit, and an egg & cheese omelet. There was a waffle maker but I didn’t notice it until I’d already loaded my plate. Different kinds of bagels (with cream cheese), different kinds of cereals, different kinds of juices. Easily the best free breakfast I ever had in a hotel.
- The kitchen has a full-size refrigerator
- There are a full set of dishes in the kitchen cabinets, and a dishwasher
- I won’t use it, but there’s a coffee maker with gourmet coffee
- The TV pivots so you can see it from the living room or bedroom
- There are electrical outlets everywhere!!! USB ports too!
- The bathroom has a walk-in shower
- Too cold to go up there, but the hotel has a great rooftop
(Monday 1/22/24: Edited to add a few more)
- If you have Netflix and/or Amazon Prime, you can log into your account and watch your shows
- Free access to HBO Max and Pluto TV; get YouTube videos on the hotel TV
- There’s a market where you can charge household items and snacks (and beer!) to your hotel room
- Wi-Fi is BLAZING fast, both in my room and the lobby (unlike the previous hotel I stayed in!)
I could not be more impressed. This is better than any hotel I stayed in when I was a traveling corporate trainer. Five stars, easily!
I walked out of the Residence Inn yesterday morning about 8:20, anticipating a short walk to Bardog to see my friend Allie Cat. It turned out to be one of the scariest walks of my life. There were pathways on the sidewalk on Monroe Avenue that were clear of snow and invited me to walk at a normal pace…
… but the pathways weren’t clear at all! There was a thin, glass-like layer of completely transparent ice. I slid all over the place but thank goodness I didn’t fall. I decided to look at the bright side… at least I didn’t have to drive a car in that mess!
I now have a better understanding of something I’ve heard meteorologists say for years: A tenth of an inch of freezing rain is enough to royally screw things up.
I have The Weather Channel on and they’re talking about “Winter Storm Indigo.” Oh shut up. Naming winter storms is so stupid.
SANA Yoga Downtown is having an open house this weekend with free yoga and hot Pilates classes. SANA Yoga is in The Edge at 696 Madison.
MLGW is asking customers to limit their water usage due to low pressure.
Today is National Popcorn Day. Butt Slut #1 would want me to remind you that there’s a popcorn machine at Momma’s, “the diner & dive off 55.”
MLK50 is hiring a juvenile justice & youth reporter.
Not Downtown, but an awesome company: Global Cafe is hiring for the front of house.
Memphis in May has sold its Front Street headquarters to Memphis Tourism. Memphis in May will remain in the Front Street building as a tenant, with Memphis Tourism occupying the two floors of leftover space.
Did you know you can celebrate your special occasion with a custom message on the scoreboard at a Grizzlies game?
I so agree with something the TV announcers said at last night’s Memphis Tigers game. When you’re up against inferior opposition, and you get a lead of 15 or so, it’s time to FINISH them. You go in for the KILL. Our Memphis team didn’t do that. They got lazy and sloppy and they deserved to lose – and they did, 74-73. Next up: At Tulane on Sunday.
Later in the evening, the Grizzlies lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but with so many players out, that kind of result was expected. Jaren dropped 36 and might have had more if not for foul trouble.
A man was shot yesterday at the Medical District Burger King.
There’s a freezing fog advisory for the area until 9 AM. Black ice is a concern as temps will remain below freezing through the weekend.
Time to go get some breakfast. Back tomorrow.