My First Overnight Getaway as a New Mom—Booked on Points

I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave my baby overnight.

But I was sure I hadn’t slept in past 7 a.m. in over six months. Between the baby and the dogs, mornings at our house are... lively. The idea of a slow morning, blackout curtains, and no decisions beyond what kind of coffee to order with breakfast in bed?

That alone made this quick overnight stay feel like a dream.

✨ When the Stars Aligned...

Grandma offered to babysit.
We won Lightning tickets.
And I had a Marriott Free Night Certificate from my Bonvoy Brilliant Amex just sitting there.

We booked it—literally.

My husband and I escaped to The Tampa EDITION for a one-night, soul-recharging, cocktail-sipping, nap-inducing break.

🏨 The Stay: Free Night, Full Reset

We used a Marriott Free Night Certificate, and wow—tapping into those points for a reset felt like luxury.

This was my first night in forever without:

• A baby monitor crackling

• A dog leaping into bed

• A 6:30 a.m. baby wakeup

I soaked up every minute.

💫 What Made It Perfect

• Early check-in at 12 p.m. and late checkout at 4 p.m.
  → Basically a full 28-hour escape

• $40 resort credit used for cocktails at the stunning lobby bar
  → Order the Smoked Paloma—you won’t regret it

• Location, location, location
  → We walked to the Lightning game at Amalie Arena and were back in our robes by the final buzzer

🚶‍♀️ Steps from the Action

The EDITION’s location is unreal.
We were steps from:

• Amalie Arena

• Tampa’s Riverwalk

• Sparkman Wharf

• And tons of restaurants and rooftop bars

Bonus: The hotel’s destination fee includes roundtrip water taxi tickets, so you can explore all the waterfront spots stress-free.

🧘‍♀️ The Vibe

The Tampa EDITION is modern, sleek, and somehow buzzing yet calming all at once.

The room?
Neutral tones, moody lighting, spa-like vibes, and a faux fur throw I strongly considered smuggling home.

Between the aesthetic and the quiet, it felt like the soft reset my nervous system was craving.

💛 Why It Mattered

After months of:

• Diapers

• Late-night feedings

• Trying to figure out how to be a mom and a human...

This was the reminder I needed:
You don’t need a week-long vacation to feel human again.

Sometimes, one night is enough.

No rushing.
No bottles to prep.
No cries in the middle of the night (unless you count the opposing fans when we won).

🌿 Rooted Takeaway: Book the Staycation

Got a Marriott Free Night Certificate sitting in your account?
Use it.

Tap into those points.
Call your mom.
Order the cocktail.
Take the nap.
Sleep in—without guilt.

You deserve it.

💬 Want a packing list, staycation guide, or free night checklist?
Drop a comment or follow along on Instagram @rooted.roaming for more travel hacks and mom-life resets.